Ok, so I've been agonizing over a barrel choice for the last two weeks...I am building a 25-284 on a m70 SA. I'll probably be putting it in a Micky edge. I'm not going for the lightest of sheep rifles but I don't want really heavy rig either. I think s little heavier rifle shoots better...I know that I don't want to go any bigger than a "typical" #5 contour...this will be a 24" tube

So I've found a lot of pictures on the rifle blue print thread from here and other forums, along with a google search...

I had planned on either a bartlien #3 but reading through older posts and guys wishing they had gone with a 2b instead....I like the look of a rock #3 which is really close to the 2b... I am not opposed to a #4 contour but I'm just concerned it's going to be too heavy on the front. Anyways this is the dilemma I'm dealing with...

So what I couldn't find too much of and was hoping someone could post some pictures of was a Lilja #3 contour. Looks to me like it will be a bit thinner just in front of the shank (vs a 2b or Rock 3) and tapper the way I would like. I just wanted to see what it looked like before I ordered something.

Thanks all don't be shy to give me your opinion and help end the misery

Here is a fluted #3 Lilja finished @ 23" in a Classic Edge. Its a nice contour IMHO and balance is excellent. 2nd pic is a Bart 2b which I really like - I have 2 builds with the 2b. Its kind of an interesting contour, it holds the same contour through the middle part of the barrel so its thicker than some #3 in parts but then tapers more towards the muzzle if that makes sense. Guess you could call it a 2 1/2 contour:) Bottom is a 2b, also in a Classic Edge finished @ 22.5".

Rock #3.



Full size. https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/12123335/grey-black-speckletone

A #3 Bartlein is a little heavier than I would personally want in a mid weight sheep rifle, the 2b is just about perfect, a #3 Rock Creek which is a touch lighter than a 2b is another barrel that would make a nice sheep rifle, no way I could be happy with any of the #4 or #5 contours in a backpacking rifle!

Thanks guys. That brown stock/red pad is going to be the same on my gun. I like that 2b also.

Well it'll be my vision for a sheep rifle. Although I'll never use it for that (more than likely anyways) but I agree that the #4's are probably more than I'd like balance wise.

OGM, any idea how much weight the flutes take off? They don't look real deep.

IClimb, I've got a Bartlein 2b sitting in the corner and can take measurements for you if you like. OregonMuley is correct in that it carries a good bit of diameter/weight from the shank through the middle, but the muzzle diameter was the same as a .243 sported I took off a Remington 700.

I don't think the flutes take off much weight at all but I like flutes so what the heck in the end its all about looking good.

Me too on the fluting.

AkBob, thanks for the offer, I just about have the measurements memorized by now...to much worrying. I like the 2b

Oregon Muley, I like flutes too! The reason I asked is that when my LGS put together my 6.5 Creedmoor, he had told me that the deep flutes he put in the Schneider #4 lightened it to a weight less than the factory sportier barrel.

And similar to IClimb, l I've been agonizing over whether to flute this 2b which is going on a .223 given that 1) it's .223 and the smaller hole equates to more weight, and 2) it's obviously a bit thicker overall than a Remington sporter contour, so I've decided a short shank and cut at 21".

Good luck IClimb, pull the trigger brother!

On the 2 builds I have with the Bartlein 2b I only had one fluted, its the one in the picture and its a .243. The other one I didn't have fluted - its a 7MM-08. Almost exact same components on each build and they weigh about the same. If I didn't have the .243 fluted it would probably weigh a bit more, if I had to guess the flutes maybe reduced the barrel weight by 3-4 ozs maybe?? Not much I suppose but both rifles balance about the same so I think it did help on the .243. Here is the other one, posted before but likely lost now due to the photobucket fiasco.



2b in the middle, factory Remington sporter on the left, Brux #3 on the right.

Those three show up on a google search and i have worn them out staring

Went with a bartlien 2b and I'm not fluting. Mostly because I don't want to wait for it....I'm going with a shorter shank and finish probably 23". I like the unfluted because it'll be different from most of the others. I'm going graphite black on the CRF mod70 & bottom metal and blasting the barrel to a satin SS. Brown with black speckle Micky edge 1" red pad (until I get my walnut is finished)

Krieger #3.

Krieger #4.5 is hard to beat for a sporter in my opinion. Not a straw, but not to heavy either. At 24 inches or shorter you would have a very solid barrel and a sweet heart of a rig.

Similar question, looking to build a 7lb M70 in .308, would a bartlein 2b at 20-22" work?

Wouldn't be able to guess the exact weight but the 2b would be close to your 7lbs and is a nice contour!

hey guys.from what ive been told fluting can take between 3 to 4 ounces off a barrels weight depending on type and depth.

PACNOR has a good calculator that accounts for number and length of flutes. About the same as chopping off 2-4" depending on the contour/bore diameter

If you want to be under 8.0lbs, I would not go any heavier than a #2 Lilja. Rifle below is a Stiller TAC300 Action, #2 Lilja chambered .270Win @ 22", PTG Aluminum bottom metal, McMillan Mountaineer Edge fill, Leupold VX3 3x10x40 in Talley LW mounts. 7lbs 7oz as shown. Originally had a #3 Lilja .30-06 barrel on that action, with a non-Edge fill stock, was well over 8 lbs...

When you read thru the build threads, you see far more stories of the rifle ending up "too heavy", versus "too light".

10gen...----I ended up getting the 2b and I'm glad i did. The difference I could see between the bartlien 2b and their 3 was that the 2b just tappered faster. I would make your decision between a 2b and a 3 based more on if you planned to thread the barrel. If not and you are looking for lighter, id go 2b. Its very similar to a rock 3 as far as i can read. Thanks to photof@cket its almost impossible to look through old threads. The 2b appears to be very similar to what you would see on a weatherby accumark. If your going to flute I would go with their 3 and flute it, gaining rigidity and no weight....
Just my opinion.

Thanks for the help all!

Thought I should update this. I got the call a few weeks ago and my 25-284 is ready. Here is a picture of the bartlein 2b on the mod70 SA CRF. I’ll get some pictures in the stock when I pick it up. This might help some guys out interested in the contour. I just got a 3b for a 280ai build so I can have some sxs comparison...

I built one just like that for a friend, Push feed m70, 21” Bart 2b in 6.5 Creedmoor, going in a Manners eh-4 shortly. Makes a very nice rifle.

Couple Kreiger #3's. I've always like #3 & #4 contours. Cut the shank @1" to keep weight down.

I believe Barrett used #1 Shilen, sorry, don't have pics of the muzzle