I'm buying this rifle but trying to decide between the two barrel options. One is a "heavy barrel". Is there any reason to choose one vs the other? Does either provide any tangible benefit for the average shooter? Why would they offer two versions that are so close in spec unless there was a reason, and I'm not sure what that would be.
HMR Pro 6.5CM barrel choice
- Thread starter Jayhrc51
- Start date
Out of my own curiosity, I decided to look this up. The "standard" model has a #5.5 barrel profile and the "heavy barrel" has a #6 profile. If you're going to use it as an all-around rifle, might as well go with the standard to save some weight. If it's only for target shooting or competition use, I'd go with the heavy.
I made a little snippit of the contour chart
I made a little snippit of the contour chart
All depends on what your intended use is. Plinking - makes no difference, hunting - go light, range only and competition - go heavy but consider what type of competition you are wanting to do - no fun hiking umpteen miles under a time limit with a heavy pack and the HMS Titanic for added weight; those are general rules but there are always exceptions. General advantages of heavier barrels are they heat slower, less heat reduces chance for possible POI shift and mirage which occurs if barrels heat to 165 F or above, it can also increase barrel life depending on barrel material, they also help mediate recoil through added weight and reduced recoil means more stability; however heavy barrels generally also mean heavy rifle and heavy rifle means less motivation to do long hikes. In some cases heavy barrel can also mean some stocks/chassis won't fit, or balance the right way because most of the weight is forward. All that said, the difference between a 5.5 and a 6 contour are not world shattering. Look at the total weight and decide what you can live with. Also consider the base, rings, and scope and possibly bipod, monopod, and assorted rails, or doodads you might want to hang from your rig; an ounce here and there can quickly add up to a boat anchor.
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