New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

[Pester]

Folks,
Got the green light to start looking for a new barrel in .308 and am looking for some advice although I may be splitting hairs.....

I have shot some friends 308's with different barrels and, in talking with my local smith, I am leaning towards a Krieger in a 11-12 twist. The smith is recommending the #9, 10, 17 and 18 contours with his preference being the #18 in a 12 twist. I am looking at a 22-24' barrel and wonder if folks here have any input on the other dimensions.

While I wont be doing any competitive bench shooting I am happy to go to the range and learn from those experts. Mostly I will be shooting 200-600 yds with some 800 distances included. On a rare occasion I will see what happens at 1,000 yds. I will also do some varmint hunting so I would like to be able to carry it around some.

Any thoughts on the contours other than the #18? Thoughts in general?

Kreiger contours http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/Contours-c1246-wp3382.htm

If this has been discussed before just point me in that direction....I did a search but did not find anything specific.

Thx

 

[jbell]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

First you should pick a target weight for your rifle based on how you will be using it. Use that in combination with all you other parts and peices to determine approx barrel weight. However if it were me I would get a heavy or a standard palma 11 twist and cut it to 20" for a 308.

 

[Pester]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

SuburbanHick, thanks for the run down. Do you mind me asking what contour you went with and who you got it from? And what length are you going with.

jbell, I started out with a stock that I liked the fit of and took that as a starting place, then looked at the action (rem 700 at this point) to get a starting point. While trying the various stocks I had the chance to use the Krieger in the 18 contour and was interested how much difference I might see in the others. I am probably not being as detailed as you are describing as I am really trying to copy the rifle I liked best. Maybe the differences are minor between the 4 of them?

 

[REL1203]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

Personally, I would go 1-11 or 1-11.25, Plan on shooting Hornady 178 BTHP Match's, and go as jbell said either Med or heavy Palma. I am a big fan of heavy barrels, so I like the M40 barrels. I would go 22 or 24", i am also a fan of having to much barrel versus not enough, i can always cut mine down, cant add more. I had a 20" and didnt like it, i then got a 24" and thought it was perfect.

 

[Pester]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

REL1203,
I have never shot a Palma barrel. What is the difference between Palma and the other barrels I have shot?

Why did you go with that?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[REL1203]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

Here is a good link showing the dimenstions.
http://www.bartleinbarrels.com/contours.htm

People like Palmas cause they keep the thickness, just get to them quicker so they save weight. I like the look of them, just I like the thick and stays thick the entire way down look of the M24/40 barrels, but they are heavy Bastards. I use mine mostly for bench guns so weight isnt an issue.

This is my new .260 from SAC, it has an M40. Not everyone like the big heavy look, for me I do (but then again I am 6'5 335 lbs)

 

[seanh]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

I can't stand short barrels. The balance is all wrong, the muzzle blast is brought closer to you...just not for me. Not worried about velocity because I can reload with Varget and have velocity right back in the same ballpark as a 24" bbl.

22" is as short as I'd go with 24"-26" being preferred.

Weight/contour will be based on use...are you hunting with it? If so the M40 contour may be a bit much and a Palma may be more desired. Personally I don't care about weight...I don't hunt too much and when I do I'll have a sling. So, I'm going with an M40 contour in my current build...close to the 17 contour in the link posted.

Twist? Again, depends on use. If most of your shooting is 200-600, mostly 200-300, a 168grn may be better and a 1:12 will work...there are 175grn bullets that stabilize well in a 1:12, Berger 185's will also stabilize in a 1:12. That said, if you really want to shoot 175's as a primary bullet...a 1:11(.25) may be better (I'm going with the 1:11 in my current build)

are you splitting hairs- not at all.

call up some of the builders and talk to them directly...pick their brain, most love to talk with you

 

[turbo54]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

22-24" STD Palma, 1-10

Do anything a 308 can do.

 

[Pester]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

Thanks folks. I dont plan on doing just one thing with this so carrying it around is something I want to account for. The 22 Kreiger felt good when combined with a Mannors t4a. If I had more experience with different rifles I would likely have more of an opinion but, for now, I am trying to take what I know and get feedback, just like yours, to add to it.

Are there different quality Krieger barrels? Did I read that correctly? I dont see anything on thier site but maybe I am missing it.

Thanks....

 

[SuburbanHick]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

dont go by what i went with...im a different type of size...
I am 6 foot 3 and 240+ lbs... i prefer a heavy rifle

i went with a bartlein 1-11.25 in a remington heavy varmint... its finished at 24+ a 2 inch break.... the rifle is going to weigh in around 16lbs

 

[Pester]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

Thanks SuburbanHick,
I think I am going to come in a little lighter with the other contour. And the smith also likes the lighter contour based on our conversations.

I need to make a decision here this week so if anyone else has input its always appreciated.

 

[seanh]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

go longer as opposed to shorter, you can always cut it back if you don't like it...very difficult to add barrel length.

 

[Andy Warhog]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

why go longer? he's shooting a 308 under 1k. 20" is plenty. I went with a 22" 11 twist Krieger mtu profile and a 1/4" cutter for flutes. I'm happy. It's not light, but I'm a big boy so I don't mind. Still, next time I think a palma or sendero is enough barrel

 

[Pester]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

Between funds being tight and a lack of experience in shooting a number of options I am wanting to get this as close to correct the first time. So am starting to think that I am splitting hairs.

I am strongly leaning towards getting the Krieger #18 CONT., 1-11.25T, 28" 0.875" @ MUZ. SPECIAL 5R RIFLING. I think my smith can cut it down to a 22" length and marry it up to my Rem 700 action. Also thinking about fluting it although my smith seems to really be against doing that.

If anyone has experience with that sort of set up I would like to hear about your experiences.

Thanks....

 

[Jhnmdahl]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

If you're going to carry it around, I'd do something like a medium Palma in 24". 11.25 twist and 5R rifling are fine, and 22" doesn't really lose that much.

Fluting a heavier barrel like a varmint contour isn't a horrible idea - just keep in mind Krieger charges another $125 to flute it.

You can always call Krieger, too - they're usually willing to talk about your goals and make a recommendation, although they may be somewhat busier these last few months...

John

 

[seanh]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Andy Warhog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">why go longer? he's shooting a 308 under 1k. 20" is plenty. I went with a 22" 11 twist Krieger mtu profile and a 1/4" cutter for flutes. I'm happy. It's not light, but I'm a big boy so I don't mind. Still, next time I think a palma or sendero is enough barrel </div></div>

Why? As I mentioned, you can always cut it back...growing barrel length is a bit difficult.

20" works for some while others hate it. If he goes 20 and doesn't like it, he'll have to get another barrel...not the logical choice.


If your smith is against fluting, get another smith.

Seriously consider C. Dixon. After a week of truing the action, threading and fluting the barrel, my gun is on its way back home. He's not the cheapest but he does great work, extremely fast turnaround.

 

[REL1203]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: seanh</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Andy Warhog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">why go longer? he's shooting a 308 under 1k. 20" is plenty. I went with a 22" 11 twist Krieger mtu profile and a 1/4" cutter for flutes. I'm happy. It's not light, but I'm a big boy so I don't mind. Still, next time I think a palma or sendero is enough barrel </div></div>

Why? As I mentioned, you can always cut it back...growing barrel length is a bit difficult.

20" works for some while others hate it. If he goes 20 and doesn't like it, he'll have to get another barrel...not the logical choice.


If your smith is against fluting, get another smith.
</div></div>

I agree, i had a 20" 308, i didnt like it at all, it just wasnt for me, i like more velocity and more barrel. I sold my AAC-SD, it shot pretty well i will say, i just wanted longer.

Some Smiths I know dont like fluting, its oddd, but they arent into doing it (most of them i assume cause they either dont know how, or had a bad experience). I say the same, find a new smith that will flute it.

 

[holy cow]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

If you plan on humping this stick around go with a Sendero contour between 22 and 24 inches. I started using the Sendero contour a few years back and now use it for all my builds. And if you want to loose a little weight you can always have it fluted. Depending on how you have it fluted it may save you up to near a pound in weight.

 

[SuburbanHick]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

the barrel will be lighter if you flute it... and yes it will cool own faster... but it will also heat up faster... and will not be as stiff as compared to a non fluted barrel....

length... its simple....Inertia= Mass x velocity(2)(velocity being squared)...same bullet..if one is faster than the other the fast will hit harder...also will have less hold for drop and wind....

 

[Pester]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

I called Krieger, as someone suggested, and ran through my interests. They talked me through some of what has been said here that helped me put a lot of this in perspective. They recommended, based on my lack of experience, that I go with a 22-24" barrel so, if needed, I could cut it down. They also said what Suburban Hick said about heating and cooling and that I could get it fluted later.

I took some of the other stuff I have read here and got from Kreiger/Sierra about twist and will look for a 1:10 or 1:11.25. As someone getting into a first custom they felt this would give me a chance to use a good range of bullets(168/175 grain).

How do I get a hold of C. Dixon?

2 last things:
Thanks to the folks at 3rd generation shooting supply. They have been very helpful in my search
Thanks to everyone here for fair, actionable and non critical help for a first custom rifle. Very much appreciated.

 

[Pester]

Re: New kreiger barrel - splitting hairs?

I found Dixon's website. Thanks.....