Heavy barreled rifles...

have a heavy barrel sako - it's 25-06 L61R shoots excellant
i use it for deer hunting - i dont find it heavy - but have to say i keep in shape- figure carring a gun around - if cant do that how im a going to pack out the moose our elk ;-)
 
hithere said:
have a heavy barrel sako - it's 25-06 L61R shoots excellant
i use it for deer hunting - i dont find it heavy - but have to say i keep in shape- figure carring a gun around - if cant do that how im a going to pack out the moose our elk ;-)
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What is the muzzle diameter on that one?
 
I used to be really sold on Senderos and thought they would be the greatest thing ever. When I started really wandering in the bush in BC, I found quickly that I liked a nice light rifle much better than a heavy rifle. My standby rifle became an iron sighted 1885 in 45-70. Much more fun to drag through the bush than my 25-06 (which weighs in around 8.5 lbs) or my M70. I can't imagine an 11 or 12 lb rifle in the bush.
 
I have a 26" heavy barrel in 300WM but it is a T/C Encore so it is still very short and light, 8 3/4 pounds with a 4-12 VXII. I have found that this configuration really stretches the accuracy and range of the Winny compared to other light taper barrels I have tried in the same caliber. And you can plug second and third shots in a break action damn near as quick as a bolt with some practice.
 
woodchopper said:
I really don't see any advantages to a heavy barrel for biggame hunting, unless your thinning a herd :lol: and barrel heating is an issue.

I have a rifle (Ruger M77 in 7mm Remmag) that does strange things as the barrel heats up and needs to be bedded but it shoots just fine cold so I have it sighted in cold. No problems when hunting, its the first shot that counts and the second is only for when you screw up the first.

I personally would be looking for something in the 9lb range for hunting, If you really want a heavier barrel look for something fluted.
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Woodchopper, a heavy barreled rifle in the twelve pound and up range is intended to deliver a bullet with precision at extended ranges consistantly.
he barrel is intended to steady the rifle.
10.2 lbs all up is the max that is allowed for offhand shooting in the unlimited clas for silhouette, becuase the heavier barrels don't wobble as much, and reoilo is dampened better.
barrel heating is an aside in hunting IMHO.
Cat

I have seen some light barrel rifles that did not heat up, and some heavy ones that did.
 
Theoretically, doesn't a HB vibrate less and in turn make the rifle much more accurate? Isn't that why military forces the world over use them on their sniper rifles? I have an H&R Ultra varmint w/ a heavy barrel and it shoots very well...but there isn't a huge difference between it and the C7 groupings at 200m.
 
If you're going to be hunting from a stand, I don't think you'll regret the Sendero. I use Remington and Sako heavy-barrelled rifles in stand situations and they work great.

For walking, though, a light rifle is a joy to carry. That's where the concept of Jeff Cooper's "scout" rifle comes in. It's amazing how much practical punch can be delivered by a short, light .308 or 7x57 shooting a stoutly built bullet:)

How many rounds do you really need to shoot at a game animal?
 
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