Hunting Rig with a Bull Barrel (1.25" straight contour)

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saltbait

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Chester, Nova Scotia
Does anyone out there hunt with a bull barrel/heavy straight contour barrel. I know it is probably not the best option, but just wondering if there is anyone out there who has made this functionable?
Any advice whatsoever would be appreciated!

Thanks
Ben
 
Spends on the application and the amount of walking involved...... I have no issue carrying one, but they are less manoeuvrable and not as quick to point..... But I would have no issue bringing one predator or groundhog hunting......
 
Depends on how good of shape you're in and how much the rest of the rifle components(stock, action, scope, etc) weigh. That being said, I've hunted with some heavy rifles in the 11-13lb range and I didn't have any problems with field hunting or hunting in the foothills. If you were going to be heading up a mountain probably not the best idea. How long is the barrel? What does the rest of the rifle look like? I'm assuming it's a custom because I don't know of any manufacturer that sells a rifle with a barrel contour that thick.
 
Just ordered in a 1.25" straight contour barrel. It's fluted, but I know that won't cut too much weight off. I have a stiller tac30 on order as well to go with the barrel. Plan is to try to make the rifle as light as possible. Thinking of doing either a 22 or 23" barrel...I was entertaining a 24", but I think that would just be a little too front heavy. Thinking of a Manners Elite Tactical stock with PTG bottom metal.
Any suggestions on lightweight stocks or parts that would help me out?
Thanks
Ben
 
Really just looking for lightweight options for the other parts that I'll be adding to make the rifle. Would love to see some guys who have build rifles with bull barrels chime in here with pictures and the weight of their rifle.
 
saltbait said:
Just ordered in a 1.25" straight contour barrel. It's fluted, but I know that won't cut too much weight off. I have a stiller tac30 on order as well to go with the barrel. Plan is to try to make the rifle as light as possible. Thinking of doing either a 22 or 23" barrel...I was entertaining a 24", but I think that would just be a little too front heavy. Thinking of a Manners Elite Tactical stock with PTG bottom metal.
Any suggestions on lightweight stocks or parts that would help me out?
Thanks
Ben
Click to expand...

As light as possible... and you ordered a straight contour 1.25" barrel??? I don't get it.

P.S - Your name is Ben and you ordered a Stiller action... that is a little "heavy" handed...
 
I hunt with a 32" Barrelled Sharp's, yours can't be much heavier. Make sure you have a good, wide, strong sling so that it's not a burden to carry. Perhaps one of those backpacks that you can strap the gun to.
 
What are you trying to accomplish with this rifle, by going shank contour on the tube, but lightweight handle??? That will handle really poorly and be difficult to shoot, even over bags. The balance will be way off.

With tube that heavy, the best option would be an A5 in a heavy fill weight..... If you are gonna build a chunk, build it right.
 
saltbait said:
Really just looking for lightweight options for the other parts that I'll be adding to make the rifle. Would love to see some guys who have build rifles with bull barrels chime in here with pictures and the weight of their rifle.
Click to expand...

Once you choose a 1.25" cylindrical barrel, you should resign yourself to concepts other than weight... I suppose accuracy is a noble pursuit... scrape up a few bucks for a used hunting rifle and leave the other one bolted to the hood of your Hummer.
 
Since you haven't given gour actual hunt application, I will say this..... I prefer light rifles but have carried all kind of weights....

IMOP, balance is more important than weight...... It's hard for a heavy battled rifle to be balanced without an equally heavy stock.... I would rather carry a well balanced heavy rifle than a poorly balanced light rifle......
 
saltbait said:
Just ordered in a 1.25" straight contour barrel. It's fluted, but I know that won't cut too much weight off. I have a stiller tac30 on order as well to go with the barrel. Plan is to try to make the rifle as light as possible. Thinking of doing either a 22 or 23" barrel...I was entertaining a 24", but I think that would just be a little too front heavy. Thinking of a Manners Elite Tactical stock with PTG bottom metal.
Any suggestions on lightweight stocks or parts that would help me out?
Thanks
Ben
Click to expand...
I don't think fluting and a lightweight stock will help you out much for reducing weight. Sounds like a weird/heavy rifle that you will be sorry for very soon for hunting.

Why not buy a lightweight sporter 308 topped with a 3-9 and have your HB built in the mean time. I'd bet a BigMac you will spend more time hunting with the sporter in the long run.
 
If it is a beanfield, still hunting rig.....not a problem. I had a Sako 995 in 338 Lapua that weighed close to 13lbs all in. A hour into a walk, you wanted to throw it into the bush and walk out.

My two current heavy hunters are a Kliengunther in 300 Rum, and a Ruger V/T in 25-06. Both still hunters, different species.
 
I had a .308 rem 700 HB in a Cadex chassis , CTR stock and it balanced nice. I now have a tikka 7 mm HB (8 lbs) I just put a Burris veracity 3-15 on it and it's completely front heavy. I'll add a Cadex soon and even though it will add an extra lb , it should balance out. I figure balance is the key. If your going to take a quick , close shot , I figure 9 lbs or 11 lbs ain't gonna make any difference. And if it's a long shot, you should have time to support it.



I also had a tac 30 and a CFW 20 inch barrel but sold it before it even got assembled... That would've been a light .308.
 
Almost sounds like my old Harts 24" barrel FN 98 mauser. It had a pretty heavy barrel. Dad called it the truck axle. The barrel was barely profiled that I needed a bench rest stock. It sucked to carry.
 
To think, 140lb 18 year olds used to carry 26lb Bren guns and a full load out through the mtns of Europe everyday...

Has anyone mentioned barrel length though? That will greatly affect balance and your overall weight options more than anything. A short chubby barrel will balance better and provide excellent accuracy with a sacrifice in velocity.
 
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