Gunsmithing contour and accuracy

[jackinfl]

If All was equal same gunsmith, same barrel maker, same twist, same length, same chamber, would a light contour Be as accurate as a heavy?
Let's use .308 1:10 22" as the reference.

 

[BobinNC]

Re: contour and accuracy

Since you are asking a hypothetical question, the answer is Yes, No and Maybe.

Yes, To expound, a light barrel will be fine for 3 or 5 shots, spaced out over 5 minutes, and should shoot right with a heavy barrel. That why light barrels are use for hunting, as shots taken are few, usually only one.

No, if you intend to shoot a string, like 5 rounds in under a minute, then a light barrel will heat up and walk the shots. So a light barrel will not shoot as well as a heavy barrel, under time limits.

Maybe, Since you don't say how light a barrel, compared to how heavy a barrel, it's hard to qualify. I would expect a light Palma match barrel contour to shoot with a say a heavy Palma, for a while. Light and heavy here have a different context.

Of course if you want relatively light weight, with reasonable stiffness, you can have that heavy barrel fluted.

 

[DMann]

Re: contour and accuracy

Yes..., as long as we are talking just a few shots. As a slender barrel heats, it becomes more flexible and groups will grow. Heavier barrels aren't affected by heat as much and will group tighter over longer strings of fire.

Or put another way, a Kreiger, Rock, Brux, Bartlein, etc. Number 2 contour will shoot just as well as an AMU/MTU contour for the first few shots, all else being equal.

 

[jackinfl]

Re: contour and accuracy

Ok. So where is a happy medium for a rifle intended for tac comps.

 

[GasLight]

Re: contour and accuracy

Happy medium is a fluted Sendero contour. like the LTR barrel.

DD

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

Re: contour and accuracy

Everything is a compromise and in all things you reach a point of deminishing returns. I chamber barrels up two inches in diameter. For the most part they shoot no better than a blank that measures .950" on the muzzle. For accuracy with a limited number of shots the Sendero contour would be as small I would go. If weight is not a high priority then a muzzle diameter of 1.000" shoots a bit better particularly with a longer shot strings. Larger than that and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference in the accuracy. you might shoot the rifle better because of the weight but not from the accuracy of the barrel.

 

[jackinfl]

Re: contour and accuracy

Thanks for the insight

 

[Lowlight]

Re: contour and accuracy

Jack,

There is no magic number to being successful at a tactical competition... you need to find the length and diameter that works for you.

It really depends on the caliber, but we are going shorter and lighter than what was previously thought to be acceptable. Look at the specs on the barrel of the new SHR from George Leichty and P.S.S. --- at 18.5" we are only 3MOA off what the guys using a 10" longer barrel are doing at 1000 yards, before any load development. So you have to ask yourself, what are you gaining for a tactical competition rifle by going over 24" ? Even 22"

In a cross over rifle you have to lean towards the longer heavier side, but for me that the old standard, 24" #7 or MTU type contour, anything else, I say 20" and 5.5 Varmint contour is going to get it done right as far as the rifle is concerned. If you want the absolute happy medium, it's 22" and again, a lighter than MTU contour, even fluted is fine, but that is as long as I can see any need to go.

Light is Right and handy takes so many headaches out of the equation.