Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Barrel Contour - What's your pick for a sporter?

Looking to hear what you guys prefer.

Future plans for a custom in 260, likely around 23" in length.

Debating #3 or ???

Looking to make about a 6.5-7.0 lb rifle naked. Stock choice not set but perhaps a Ti or a McM. Not aspiring a fly weight, but want it very handy/portable, yet balanced.

My past preference is a muzzle from .65 - .70 for stiffness, etc. but this rifle will be shot mostly for hunting, and probably no more than 3 shot groups.

i like a 2 or 3 for a sporter....

I'd be leaning #2 or maybe #1, depending on maker.

I'm currently building a 260. I spent some time talking with Tim North of Broughton Barrels and decided to go with his 3.05 contour. He had me order it to be finished at 24", then I'm having my smith cut 1" extra off the breech end, so it will be finished on the rifle at 23". Tim felt this would maximize stiffness and reduce weight.

FWIW, Charlie Sisk in his book "Selecting and Ordering a Custom Hunting Rifle" states on pg 148 "My suggestions for maximum barrel length with regard to proper stiffness in relation to contour are as follows:

#1 20"
#2 21"
#3 22"
#4 24"
#5 26"


405wcf

Hmmm. My daughters lefty Model 700 wears a #2 Hart, finished at 23" with a 1 in 8 twist chambered in 260. Sits in a 13.5" mickey with 1" pad and weighs right at 6 pounds 2 ounces. Balances extremely well.

Mickey Edge classic. Sorry.

That sounds like "just right".

Moose, how she shoot- the rifle? Thanks for all replies.

It shoots 129 Hornady and 130 Accubonds good, as in under an inch. And it shoots 140 Accubonds even better. Never ran 140 bergers in it but might once she shoots up the accubonds. I fired a 3 shot group at a little over 400 yards that was right at 2.5".

Nice, esp. to HOLD that tight at 400 with a sporter weight, good shooting sir.

Not sure where this falls in the number scale but I like a standard Remington contour.

IMO , The Remington FBC starts out as a #2, then finishes about a #3 at .660 Muzzle od.

I like using a #3 contour with only 1" breech left forward of the action.

Just had a Model 7 built on a 21" #3 Hart. Balances about 1" forward of the front action screw and weighs 6lbs 6oz with a 3x9 Leupold Compact in Burris rings on 2 piece Weaver aluminum bases. High Tech Specialties stock. If you're going 23" I'd definitely go with a #2. My barrel has light flutes done by Hart. No barrel maker that I know of will do full flutes on a #3 stainless barrel. I like the slight barrel heavy feel as it holds very well off hand.

I went back and forth about the barrel weight thing as well. I guide/hunt in the Adirondacks of NY where a 100 yard shot is long so I didn't need the longer barrel. I decided to go one size up in hopes of better accuracy. The gunsmith did barrel break in and said his best group was 5/8's without any load development. Should have potential.

Pictures to follow as soon as I get the stock painted - Zolatone jungle camo.

Frank

Couple factory Muzzle od's that I know of.....

Sako/Tikka muzzle od = .630 muzzle od at 22.5"
Reminton Sporter= .660 muzzle od at 24"

Average #2 contour custom barrel is .575-.600 muzzle od at 24".

I would cut another inch off the barrel, rather than stepping down to a smaller contour size.

Thanks all for your info. Frank, what cartridge did you pick?

Any sporter contour that leaves you with .600"-.630" MD at 22-23" bbl length.

Lighter tubes will shoot but if there is anything amiss the issue will be far more noticeable accuracy-wise.

MtnHtr

#3 or #4 for sure it is still not heavy to carry but still enough weight to get it steady.

It's a 7-08. I already had dies, brass, etc., and that cartridge works for me.

Just an fyi on the Hart #2. At 23" if finishes at .610 for muzzle diameter.

fshaw, that sounds like a sweet build.

708, never a bad choice. Hows she shoot?