Given that the same amount of material is removed from the barrel from stem to stern, I fail to see how balance is grossly affected. And, as EdM says, balance can be restored. Holes in the buttstock under the pad, or adding a little material to the fore arm. However, I doubt balance will be effected enough to notice.
Where people get these ideas that muzzle wall thickness should be .150" is beyond me??? Lothar Walther's Art. 718 barrel has a muzzle diameter of .591" and is offered in 9,3x62.
While a Ruger may be less expensive, is it really what you want?
