Help with Barrel Selection for Build

[canny]

The plan is to re-barrel my 700 7mm. I am keeping the 7m caliber but want to go to a barrel with a higher rate of twist to stabilize the 168 - 175 g high BC bullets. I also want to go from the factory 24" to a 26" barrel. My goal is to try and keep the overall weight of the gun to no more than 10lbs. This rifles purpose is a long range hunting rig. It has an HS Precision stock now that I will keep and just open the barrel channel to accept the new barrel. It also has a Vortex HST 4-16x44mm scope that will eventually get changed out to a Leupold VX6 with CDS when funds allow.

What contour should I be looking at to keep the weight manageable as a hunting rig, but still provide stiffness for long range accuracy? These are the contours I have looked at:

Bartlein #4
Batlein /Brux Light Palma
Remington Sendero Contour

[canny]

Also, Brux vs Bartlein? 5R Rifling?

[Cajun Blake]

Do the math :


700 LA BDL 2# 7 oz

HS Precision 2# 8 ozs

Sporter #4 ... 3# 11 ozs.
Sendero / VS ... 4# 12 ozs.
Sendero fluted ... 4# 6 ozs.

most hunting scopes will vary in weight from 13 ozs. to 18 ozs.

You'll be close to 10 lbs. +/- a few ounces with a Sendero type build (bare rifle)

[CADDOKILLER]

I did a similar build with a bartlein 3b contour and there's no way I would go heavier for a hunting rifle. Might even go smaller

[canny]

I did a similar build with a bartlein 3b contour and there's no way I would go heavier for a hunting rifle. Might even go smaller

It's funny you say that. Bugholes had a Bartlein 3B and a Sendero in stock ready to ship. I went ahead and placed the order for the 3B. I think the contour profile allows for a more weight in the chamber area, plus the way it tapers should still yield minimum whip for a hunting rig.

Can you post some pics of your 3B?

[CADDOKILLER]

It's funny you say that. Bugholes had a Bartlein 3B and a Sendero in stock ready to ship. I went ahead and placed the order for the 3B. I think the contour profile allows for a more weight in the chamber area, plus the way it tapers should still yield minimum whip for a hunting rig.

Can you post some pics of your 3B?

I went with a mcmillan instead of the HS . I'll try and get you a pic here in a few. For some reason tapa talk won't let me post pics

[trophy8]

I wouldnt go any heavier than a fluted #5 contour (compare to lilja #5) and would suggest the #4 and flute it. Itll still be plenty stiff to allow excellent accuracy and still give you enough weight to keep it steady but remain under your 10 lb limit. My 6.5-284 has a lilja 3 groove 26" fluted #5 contour and a mcmillan remington hunter and a vx6 3-18 with the atlas bipod sits around 9 lbs. I would suggest the bartlien over the brux for the simple fact that I have seen a bunch of 7 mags built on them and all shot extrememly well. I dont have much experience with brux but truthfully, pretty well all the big name guys turn out great barrels. Everyone has their favorites. I favor lilja over pretty well everyone else as thats what I have had more of. Both will shoot fine if the smith does his part and you do yours.

[CADDOKILLER]

It's funny you say that. Bugholes had a Bartlein 3B and a Sendero in stock ready to ship. I went ahead and placed the order for the 3B. I think the contour profile allows for a more weight in the chamber area, plus the way it tapers should still yield minimum whip for a hunting rig.

Can you post some pics of your 3B?

Check out the thread "3 new killer customs" and look at the 280ai. That's a 3B contour. Plenty stiff for long range and not terribly heavy. I think it came in at about 9.2lbs with glass

[Mike D]

Help with Barrel Selection for Build

I wouldnt go any heavier than a fluted #5 contour (compare to lilja #5) and would suggest the #4 and flute it. Itll still be plenty stiff to allow excellent accuracy and still give you enough weight to keep it steady but remain under your 10 lb limit. My 6.5-284 has a lilja 3 groove 26" fluted #5 contour and a mcmillan remington hunter and a vx6 3-18 with the atlas bipod sits around 9 lbs. I would suggest the bartlien over the brux for the simple fact that I have seen a bunch of 7 mags built on them and all shot extrememly well. I dont have much experience with brux but truthfully, pretty well all the big name guys turn out great barrels. Everyone has their favorites. I favor lilja over pretty well everyone else as thats what I have had more of. Both will shoot fine if the smith does his part and you do yours.

I agree. I have a Krieger #5 spotter on my 257 Weatherby. With a swarovski z5 5-25 in Talley light weight rings, it's just under 10#. Has a McMillan BDL series stock that is glass and pillar bedded as well.

The HS stock with the aluminum block is going to cost you some weight though so a #3 or #4 may be the better choice.

I'm a big fan of the Bartlein 5R barrels too.

[MikeConner]

Check out the thread "3 new killer customs" and look at the 280ai. That's a 3B contour. Plenty stiff for long range and not terribly heavy. I think it came in at about 9.2lbs with glass

Using a Bartlein 3B for the 26 nosler that Robert at APR is doing for me now. It should be ready in a few days since my stock came in yesterday.

[Mike D]

Using a Bartlein 3B for the 26 nosler that Robert at APR is doing for me now. It should be ready in a few days since my stock came in yesterday.

I think Robert was working on your barrel when I was there today.

[MikeConner]

I think Robert was working on your barrel when I was there today.

Yes sir, he did the action work yesterday