Heavy Barrels

Pems

January 09, 2003 05:14

I am considering purchasing a varmit rifle and I was just wondering...does a heavy "bull" barrel make that much of a difference for a varmit rifle (ground hogs and coyotes)or is a standard rifle barrel just as good. Please let me know what the differences are. Thanks in advance. [:D]

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  11echo

  January 09, 2003 05:35

  Heavy barrels are put on to rifles the are designed to shoot tight groups ...ie target rifles & varmint rifles. The theory is the accuracy is based on uniform barrel vibration (1 of MANY factors). And heavy barrels maintain a better uniformity with these vibrations. Let me stress that just because a rifle has a heavy barrel doesn't mean it's going to shoot tight groups. I have a Ruger 77V in .308 that can only shoot an 1 1/4" group at 100 yd.s, it has a heavy BBL. I have a Weatherby .300mag that shoots a 1/2" group at 100 yd.s, and it has a contoured BBL. Bottom line: heavy barrels are a piece of the puzzle of shooting tight groups, but is not the only factor. My 2 cents ...Mark
  
  "FEAR the Goverment, that fears your ARMS"

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  JustC

  January 09, 2003 06:40

  They do make a difference. Heavy barrles have a much greater "tonnage" of steel surrounding the bore, therefore they will control vibration more easily. I have yet to see a sporter weight barrel come close to a bull barrel group at any distance past 150yds, but that's just my experience, I am sure some other members have seen one do it.
  
  I'm a man,....but I can change,.....If I have to,......I guess.

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  deadeye46

  January 09, 2003 14:50

  In my experience,all I have to do is carry one a hundred yards and I'm ready to sell it.My standard weight rifles shoot just as well with the right handloads.

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  queeksdraw

  January 09, 2003 16:09

  You asked for an opinon, here is mine. Bull or heavy bbls do not heat up as fast as sporter weight bbls there by keeping shot to shot variables due to heat to a minimum. Hence once you have a bbl sighted in you can shot more rounds to the same point of impact befor the group starts to deteriorate due to variables caused by heat. If you are going to be shooting coyotes where you may shoot 1 or 2 shots in several hours then a sporter is OK, but if you are going to shot prairie dogs where you will be shooting till you can get the bbl so hot you can cook dinner on it then you will very quicklysee that a heavy bbl is the way to go. As to controling vibration, all bbls resonate or vibrate at a certain frequency and this can only be controled by keeping it as consistant as possible thereby lessoning the shot to shot variables.Best of luck with your decision.
  Queeks
  
  You'v gota kill it to grill it

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  rsnyder55

  January 09, 2003 16:11

  Heavy barrels not only are less subject to vibration, but also are not affected by barrel heating as much and the resultant warpage of a light barrel.
  
  BTW, my Weatherby with a #2 light barrel will put 3 shots touching and inside a dime. The fourth will alway be three inches away at 10 o'clock.

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  elkmaniac

  January 09, 2003 16:24

  quote:Originally posted by Pems
  I am considering purchasing a varmit rifle and I was just wondering...does a heavy "bull" barrel make that much of a difference for a varmit rifle (ground hogs and coyotes)or is a standard rifle barrel just as good. Please let me know what the differences are. Thanks in advance. [:D]
  After many years approx 30 of shooting coyotes Id have to say your sporting rifle would be the best choice for ease of swinging the gun for running shots as well as the weight factor. All of the previous replies were right on. My experience with varmit hunting brings a choice of several cal. all being very good 22-250 220swift both of these calibers are good for both coyotes and prairie dogs but for just coyote hunting its hard to beat the 257wby mag

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  groundhog devastation

  January 09, 2003 16:34

  rsnyder55, If your barrel does that consistently I'd bet it would be helped by cryognic treating. The key was you said consistently puts that 4th shot there. Cryo should releive that stress point and help keep that 4th shot closer. Doesn't cost much to try it. GHD

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  rsnyder55

  January 09, 2003 18:56

  Thanks. I've been considering that among other things. I believe the main problem is heat. After three shots, the barrel is too hot to touch. After I allow it to cool, it is right on again.
  
  As this is my primary hunting rifle, I hope I never need more than one or two shots and as it kicks some, I very rarely do more than three shot groups.
  
  As I have almost one thousand rounds through this barrel, I am also thinking that it is almost time to replace it.

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