Gunsmithing Two questions regarding barrel contour/inletting

[Pusher591]

I currently run a 17.5" M24 contour barrel in 308. my gun , fully decked out is around 14lbs. I want to run a 21" barrel but need to figure out how to do it without gaining any weight. I know the best thing to do is change contours, which I was thinking of running a heavily fluted medium Palma.

My first question for all the gunsmiths is, I still want to run my stock I have now. Is it possible to add filler, and re-contour the stock for a medium palma barrel, as I do not want to lose this stock.

My second question is, if this the option above is not possible, how large of a gap are we talking if I have a 30" Medium palma barrel and have it cut to 21" finished length.
I was also thinking of using a a Whitley Medium Palma since it is a little thicker.

If either one of these options is not possible and you can think of something I CAN do then please let me know.

 

[x ring accuracy]

Re: Two questions regarding barrel contour/inletting

You can rebuild the barrel channel and contour to fit no problem

 

[STR]

Re: Two questions regarding barrel contour/inletting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: X Ring Accuracy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can rebuild the barrel channel and contour to fit no problem </div></div>

I also agree with X. He does a great job of this. I've seen it on one of his builds.

 

[Pusher591]

Re: Two questions regarding barrel contour/inletting

Thanks guys, appreciate the response.

Anybody know if it's possible to keep the weight the same or close to it? I checked and a Bartlein M24 contour @ 26" is 6.2lbs.
The Medium Palma is a 30" blank and weighs 5.35lbs.

I'm not vey good with math and because of the contour I cannot figure out how much per inch to take off to roughly figure what weight would be.

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Two questions regarding barrel contour/inletting

Pusher, go ahead and change the barrel and look at it. If it looks OK to you and not an eye sore run it as is. If it looks like ass simply bed the barrel channel to the contour of the barrel, paint the stock and rock it. Some dont even paint the stock depending on how much bedding compound is used.

Feel free to call if you hit any snags, I'll talk you through it and make it easy. Good luck.

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Two questions regarding barrel contour/inletting

With a 26" #8 (LV) Bartlein (7Lbs @ 28", 4oz per inch) I'm right at 16#'s all up. My barrel is roughly 6.5Lbs

Med. Palma is roughly 2.85oz per inch, 21" would be 3.75Lbs. Using this barrel on my rifle @ 21" the total weight would be approx. 13.25 Lbs

I run a SA in a Non Adj. A5 McMillan, DBM, NF scope...........

 

[JRWALLSIII]

Re: Two questions regarding barrel contour/inletting

Go to Pac Nors barrels website

They have a barrel weight calculator that is extremely handy and will accept custom barrel dimensions and fluting.

There is a HUGE diffrence in a MTU and medium Palma. I'd think some sort of LV fluted would acheive your goals and look good with the original inlet. That's just a guess though

 

[B.Bates]

Re: Two questions regarding barrel contour/inletting

Get a Karl to heavy spiral flute another m24


Will save some weight and you don't have to mod the stock

 

[Pusher591]

Re: Two questions regarding barrel contour/inletting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shootone</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get a Karl to heavy spiral flute another m24


Will save some weight and you don't have to mod the stock </div></div>

I'm not a big an of spiral fluting, or fluting in general, but if I was going to flute it I would use a deep strait flute. I will probably try to get a Medium Palma and have it cut/crown to 21" and see how it looks in the stock. I'm hoping by picking up 3 1/2" of barrel, Melonite, plus running my suppressor on it I will pick up close to 100fps. My current rig picks up close to 30 fps when running a Surefire suppressor

I like the short barrel and it's intentions were to be used for work purposes but I have found myself shooting past 600 yards in practice and comps so I feel the need to maximize my combination. I think a 21" with lighter contour will help boost velocity and still keep mobility in check.

 

[B.Bates]

Re: Two questions regarding barrel contour/inletting

Well good luck but i think you are wasting a bunch of money

A 21 inch 308 isn't going to be much of an improvement over the current set up for the time and money involved

You mentioned comps

Run a 6.5 or 6mm. No one competitive runs short barreled 308s

Keep the shorty and run a switch barrels


You will be happier

 

[Pusher591]

Re: Two questions regarding barrel contour/inletting

Yeah I've contemplated switching to the 6.5 Creed but I have a good bit of 308 ammo and some of the LE matches require you shoot 308 or 223.

I'm not shooting huge comps or plan on being sponsored, just want to have fun and continue to learn with a few top finishes mixed in. The 308 with a 178 bthp or the 175/180 JLK being pushed 2650 or hotter is very competitive IMHO.
I know a 6.5 is definitely an advantage but I'm not deep enough in the game to switch right now.

Don't let the shorty fool you, even though I didn't plan on shooting comps with it, it has definitely been pretty good to me. I have had some decent finishes with it, definitely did better then I thought I would with that short of a barrel.