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I wouldn't go lighter than a Bartlein 3b which is what I'm running on the NRL series. Keep in mind you also need a bit of meat left over after threading so whatever muzzle device you go with can shoulder up.
Since you asked about match use you probably know that different match formats will have different firing schedules so the general rule is heavier = better/less poi shift.
Since you asked about match use you probably know that different match formats will have different firing schedules so the general rule is heavier = better/less poi shift.
if the competition has a weight limit, have the barrel as heavy as possible but still make weight.
if not, make the barrel as heavy as reasonably possible whilst still light enough for me to move/carry as required - having a lighter barrel but then adding forend weights is (imnsho) silly
if not, make the barrel as heavy as reasonably possible whilst still light enough for me to move/carry as required - having a lighter barrel but then adding forend weights is (imnsho) silly
I used a factory Tikka lite in a few matches where it was 10+ rounds in a few minutes, also shoot a few F class matches (obviously not competitively) and didn't have any notable stringing or group sizes going to crap.
Realistically unless it's a 223, something like light palma would be be the lightest you'd go. So Bartlein 3, 3b, 4 would all be ok.
Realistically unless it's a 223, something like light palma would be be the lightest you'd go. So Bartlein 3, 3b, 4 would all be ok.
What kind of match?
Any situation that matters more to the shooter. Elevated importance. Maybe even when your life is on the line.
What does that mean??? You started the thread talking about a match.
Well if my life is on the line a minute of man at distance will work, and unless it’s a super thin contour most will work for that purpose if needed.
I am mostly interested in people's experience with barrel heat causing issues at various profile thicknesses...
.... at a fast "match" rate of fire.
Ah, okay. Well, I can say when I’ve shot PRS matches with Bartlein remington varmint contour, I wasn’t missing plates due to barrel heat. That is a lot thinner barrel than most guys use for that discipline.
If it’s not a shitty barrel, it doesn’t. Nobody is shooting a comp with 5# backpacking rifles but I’d not expect a decent barrel on a 7# rifle to walk.
A thin barrel will heat up faster, probably get more mirage, and make people worry more about frying their barrel, but I wouldn’t expect much beyond that.
I’m convinced a lot of people just use barrel heat as another excuse for their hunting rifle shooting bigger groups than they like to pretend it should.
So to answer, the thinnest profile is a lot lighter than I’d want to shoot for weight reasons, not because it opens up.
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