OK, I've had the rifle for a month, and the weight sucks on the HBAR. I am only 45 minutes from ADCO firearms in Ohio, once I cross into detroit, so I am going to have my barrel fluted for weight savings. My questions are:
1) flash hider - what do they weigh? What happens if you shoot without one on the gun (since mine is pinned, it would be a PIA to remove it and try it). I could make an aluminum collar to cover and protect the threads. The weight savings would be substantial since the weight is so far forward. I notice that all of the hunting types like the remington do not have anything at all on the front. Since I don't have the folding stock overall length should not be an issue. How about titanium flash hiders? They seem pricey, but must be noticeably lighter...
2) flutes - I would like to have the front end of the barrel reduced in diameter to match the small step before the flash hider. That way the flutes could go close to the end of the barrel to maximize weight reduction. Does anyone know why the step is there? Does anyone in canada do the fluting?
3) 6.8 SPC - would this caliber be OK without the hider as well? I am looking for a used barrel, if I can find one. I was considering using the 6.8 with 90gr bullets for varmint, and the heavier bullets for deer, that way I would not have to bother with switching barrels, but the 6.8 ammo seems pretty pricey. Do any of you have the 6.8, how do you like it?
4) Are there any other areas anyone has found where weight could be reduced from the rifle?
1) flash hider - what do they weigh? What happens if you shoot without one on the gun (since mine is pinned, it would be a PIA to remove it and try it). I could make an aluminum collar to cover and protect the threads. The weight savings would be substantial since the weight is so far forward. I notice that all of the hunting types like the remington do not have anything at all on the front. Since I don't have the folding stock overall length should not be an issue. How about titanium flash hiders? They seem pricey, but must be noticeably lighter...
2) flutes - I would like to have the front end of the barrel reduced in diameter to match the small step before the flash hider. That way the flutes could go close to the end of the barrel to maximize weight reduction. Does anyone know why the step is there? Does anyone in canada do the fluting?
3) 6.8 SPC - would this caliber be OK without the hider as well? I am looking for a used barrel, if I can find one. I was considering using the 6.8 with 90gr bullets for varmint, and the heavier bullets for deer, that way I would not have to bother with switching barrels, but the 6.8 ammo seems pretty pricey. Do any of you have the 6.8, how do you like it?
4) Are there any other areas anyone has found where weight could be reduced from the rifle?


















































