Help me decide on a barrel

[SWThomas]

I'm getting my Remington 700 .30-06 rebarreled (amongst other things) and need some advice on which contour and twist to get. I want this to be a precision rifle that I can also hunt with.

What I'm currently thinking is a 26" Bartlein #5 Standard Target Contour with a 1/11 twist rate.

Pros/Cons? Suggestions/Recommendations?

 

[broylz]

i really like the idea of a 1:11 twist bartlein myself. im debating Remington varmint vs m24 contour for my 30-06.

 

[dimar1492]

I'm getting my Remington 700 .30-06 rebarreled (amongst other things) and need some advice on which contour and twist to get. I want this to be a precision rifle that I can also hunt with.

What I'm currently thinking is a 26" Bartlein #5 Standard Target Contour with a 1/11 twist rate.

Pros/Cons? Suggestions/Recommendations?

That #5 is a fairly heavy contour if you plan on packing it around a-lot.
A medium Palma would have a greater muzzle diameter than the #5 when cut to 26" and come in about 1.5 lbs lighter. Makes a big difference on a hunting rifle.

 

[LRJammer]

Bartlein is an excellent barrel. +1 on the medium Palma. They give you good barrel mass while keeping the weight reasonable. I have a fluted 22" medium palma contour on my 260 hunting rilfe and it is perfect. It has sufficient weight to allow for stable field shooting, balances perfectly, and isnt so heavy that it is a pain to carry around.

 

[ranger1183]

I'm getting my Remington 700 .30-06 rebarreled (amongst other things) and need some advice on which contour and twist to get. I want this to be a precision rifle that I can also hunt with.

What I'm currently thinking is a 26" Bartlein #5 Standard Target Contour with a 1/11 twist rate.

Pros/Cons? Suggestions/Recommendations?

Yes, Bartlein's are excellent barrels. A Bartlein #5 weighs 6 lbs. Thanks a truck axle when your humping up mountains. This Bartlein barrel is in stock at Grizzly and weighs 1 1/2 pounds less. That's a whole lot nicer humping up hills and still thick enough to do some moderate precision shooting. If it were me, I'd further reduce weight by cutting the barrel to 22 inches as that will still give you good killing power and lots of accuracy. My 2 cents.

Grizzly.com
T10565 Bartlein .308 5R x 26" Finished, .300 x .308 Bore/Groove x 1-10 Twist - #3 Sporter Barrel

 

[SWThomas]

Thanks for the input fellas. The main reason I wanted the 26" length is to ensure I get the most MV and powder burn I can without going too long.

Other than weight, is there a benefit of going with one contour over another?

 

[Edds]

That #3 Bartlein sporter, that is linked, would be perfect for me and I would finish it at 24 inches.

After looking at it, I don't like that barrel. It has a 1.200" breech diameter. I would want a 1.250" diameter.

 

[SWThomas]

If it were me, I'd further reduce weight by cutting the barrel to 22 inches as that will still give you good killing power and lots of accuracy. My 2 cents

You don't think 22" is too short for a .30-06?

 

[SWThomas]

That #5 is a fairly heavy contour if you plan on packing it around a-lot.
A medium Palma would have a greater muzzle diameter than the #5 when cut to 26" and come in about 1.5 lbs lighter. Makes a big difference on a hunting rifle.

Is there any benefit/advantage in going with a Palma over a Sporter?

 

[dimar1492]

Is there any benefit/advantage in going with a Palma over a Sporter?

You said you wanted a precision rifle you could hunt with. The Palma will be more likely to maintain consistency through extended strings of fire. If it were strictly a hunting rifle the sporter may serve you better. The Palma,Rem Varmint,Tubb contours are pretty good to serve both purposes.

 

[ranger1183]

You don't think 22" is too short for a .30-06?

If a 22 inch barrel is long enough to fire 190 grain SMK's out of a 300 Win Mag, that's certainly long enough to fire 190 grain bullets (and below) out of a .30-06. See SWAT magazine article: SWAT Article BARREL LENGTH

 

[Edds]

Is there any benefit/advantage in going with a Palma over a Sporter?

A Palma has straight tapers. A Sporter has curved tapers. If the measurements are the same, at the points where a barrel is typically measured, a Palma will be slightly heavier and stiffer.

 

[Gil P.]

What is the muzzle diameter of a 26 inch medium palma?

 

[ranger1183]

What is the muzzle diameter of a 26 inch medium palma?

Bartlein Barrels, Inc. - Contours

 

[Edds]

What is the muzzle diameter of a 26 inch medium palma?

A Bartlein will be about .836".

 

[SWThomas]

I think I'm gonna go with a 26" medium Palma contour.

What's y'all's opinion on 700 triggers? Are the stockers good if they're tuned? How about X-Mark Pro or aftermarket?

 

[ranger1183]

What's y'all's opinion on 700 triggers? Are the stockers good if they're tuned? How about X-Mark Pro or aftermarket?

I've personally owned +$300.00 custom triggers that have FAILED in the field. I have never had a stock Rem 700 trigger fail. I personally adjust my own stock Rem triggers and I've never had a problem with them, or making them crisp & light.

 

[dimar1492]

A Bartlein will be about .836".

Yep, the med. Palma's I have are .835.

 

[LRJammer]

I think I'm gonna go with a 26" medium Palma contour.

What's y'all's opinion on 700 triggers? Are the stockers good if they're tuned? How about X-Mark Pro or aftermarket?

Timney is the way to go.

 

[SWThomas]

Thanks again for all the info fellas!

 

[user]

Rifle Basix or Jewel Triggers serve me well.

 

[Gil P.]

I would go for the Timney as well. I broke the sear engagement screw head off of my first one. I sent it in to get it fixed, but unfortunately they broke the trigger housing while trying to get the screw out. No worries though, Timney sent me a brand new trigger, adjusted to the pull weight I specified free of charge. They have made me a customer for life.

 

[SuburbanHick]

I know one thing... I love my bartlein... I have a Remington heavy varmint (1-11.25) on my 700 with a xlr and I nightforce on top... is it heavy...very much so...but its worth its weight...makes for a very stable while reaching out there.....

319 Yards on a tom... take ON fort hood

 

[K_4c]

I know one thing... I love my bartlein... I have a Remington heavy varmint (1-11.25) on my 700 with a xlr and I nightforce on top... is it heavy...very much so...but its worth its weight...makes for a very stable while reaching out there.....

319 Yards on a tom... take ON fort hood

Huh... when did rifles/center fires become legal on Turks?

Thats to bad he died like that....

 

[buggsb]

You don't think 22" is too short for a .30-06?

I'd question why you even need to go that long, especially if you plan to hump it around the woods much. 20" is probably fine and will allow you to have a little stiffer contour for the same weight.

 

[SuburbanHick]

Huh... when did rifles/center fires become legal on Turks?

Thats to bad he died like that....

been like that for years here in TX...like that???? it was quick... and if you wait for the right shot with the right bullet....there is no meat loss

 

[K_4c]

been like that for years here in TX...like that???? it was quick... and if you wait for the right shot with the right bullet....there is no meat loss

fair enough... don't see much of a challenge in it.

 

[SuburbanHick]

fair enough... don't see much of a challenge in it.

I agree....I wont use my 308 unless its past 250yards... and on a tom

otherwise I just use my savage mark 2 trr-sr in 22lr.... then I can shoot out to 100yards

 

[SWThomas]

This barrel and action and getting bedded into a Manners MCS-EH2 if that makes a difference.

 

[LRJammer]

fair enough... don't see much of a challenge in it.

I have done it with a 22 LR with a close and clean head shot. Doesnt get more challenging than that.

 

[K_4c]

I have done it with a 22 LR with a close and clean head shot. Doesnt get more challenging than that.

How bout with a bow.... stalking them.