Hunting & Fishing Building another (medium) cartridge hunter

[bjay]

This subject probably got beat up to many times already...if you were to build semi LIGHT hunting rig in short mag..where we expecting 2-2500 barrel life..with that much barrel life should we do carbon wrap or lightweight steel..
Do you find steel but more consistent vs carbon?

 

[mcfred]

I think cartridge selection and use is a better discriminator for barrel life than Steel/Carbon Wrapped type of barrel. If it's a cost concern then I'd go with a lightweight steel contour as you can get 2 of them for the price of a single CF contour. Besides, 2500 is a lot of shooting for a lightweight big game hunting rifle.

 

[bjay]

I think cartridge selection and use is a better discriminator for barrel life than Steel/Carbon Wrapped type of barrel. If it's a cost concern then I'd go with a lightweight steel contour as you can get 2 of them for the price of a single CF contour. Besides, 2500 is a lot of shooting for a lightweight big game hunting rifle.

Im thinking of doing 7mm sherman???
In the past i built couple 300nm improved proof barrel and only last 9-1200 rds..its kinda hard swallow a price for carbon with that much rounds only..well people will say thats plenty for hunting rifle as you dont shoot them like your dedicated target.BUT some of us like to play around and even spend up to couple hundreds doing load developing

 

[mcfred]

I'd consider 1200 round barrel life excessive for a CF wrapped barrel too. For the CF price I could just chamber two featherweight contours. One for load development and playing, the other for "work" and swap between the two as required. I don't think I've seen any convincing data that supports the benefits of a CF wrapped barrel over a featherweight contour with regard to "hunting" applications. In something with better barrel life e.g. 7mm-08/.308/.338 Federal then some über expensive CF contour might be more worthwhile in the end. Personally, I just don't see the benefit of a CF barrel besides "cool" factor. I'd rather have another barrel and shoot/play more.

As far as a hunting cartridge, I don't think there are many animals in the western hemisphere that are that difficult to kill at the ranges I would consider to be "hunting" and not just "shooting." A 7mm Sherman should do well on big game, but so would a dozen other cartridges at practical ranges.

If you just want a CF contour chambered in 7mm Sherman, then go for it. It's just money and I'm happy to enable you.

 

[bjay]

I'd consider 1200 round barrel life excessive for a CF wrapped barrel too. For the CF price I could just chamber two featherweight contours. One for load development and playing, the other for "work" and swap between the two as required. I don't think I've seen any convincing data that supports the benefits of a CF wrapped barrel over a featherweight contour with regard to "hunting" applications. In something with better barrel life e.g. 7mm-08/.308/.338 Federal then some über expensive CF contour might be more worthwhile in the end. Personally, I just don't see the benefit of a CF barrel besides "cool" factor. I'd rather have another barrel and shoot/play more.

As far as a hunting cartridge, I don't think there are many animals in the western hemisphere that are that difficult to kill at the ranges I would consider to be "hunting" and not just "shooting." A 7mm Sherman should do well on big game, but so would a dozen other cartridges at practical ranges.

If you just want a CF contour chambered in 7mm Sherman, then go for it. It's just money and I'm happy to enable you.

Lol im 99% agree with u..proof does looks sexy..i still think steel is more concistent..what would be your prefer barrel contour weight wise...is fluted rem varm too heavy? There's one for sell here
Ey man tnx for the input

 

[mcfred]

For hunting, I've been leaning towards, shorter, lighter barrels as I don't expect to be shooting large game at 1000 yards where terminal velocity/energy are more critical. What you find acceptable for a hunting contour might be totally different and is up to you. There are lots of variables to consider, usually subjective. Currently, I've got a 22" featherweight 7mm-08 as my lightweight big game rifle, but I've been lusting over a Barrett Fieldcraft in 7mm lately, though I'll probably build something 7mm in an 18" No. 4 contour threaded for a suppressor.