32" F-T/R Barrel Length and Still Make Weight

[DaveMarine1]

What are some common set ups that you have seen on the line for F-T/R barrel length and configurations that are still within weight limit?

I would like to utilize a 32" .308 barrel and am debating on contour. The stock is a McMillan F-Class with Defiance single shot receiver and using the Joy Pod.

When running a 32" barrel, are most going with a Light Palma?

 

[dcali]

You can go at least medium Palma. I have a Barnard (pig) in a laminate stock (pig), and a 32" medium palma, and come up about a pound short of the weight limit. But I've got a Duplin (which is pretty light) and a Competition (also on the lighter side of similar scopes). With light components, you can squeak in a heavy plama. Otherwise, medium palma is about it.

 

[jsthntn247]

Ive got a 32" with 3" of shank and a straight contour to .960 and am a lb under with a March and a Kelby stock with a joy pod. Actually having lb added to my stock now.

 

[Down South]

I used a 32 inch barrel for several years with my PRT FTR stock rifle. The contour was 3 inch straight then straight taper to .950 @ crown (I order them directly from Bartlein). I used a Panda F-Class action, NF Comp scope with ultra light rings, Flex bipod. Still had to skeletonize the butt plate to make weight but it made it weighing in at 18 lb. 1-2 oz.....Now I use the same contour but cut the barrels back to 31 inch to have a little wiggle room. I was always nervous when weighing my gun at matches with the 32 inch barrel and that heavy contour.

 

[skiutah02]

I have a 32" barrel that I've been using for a few years. It's a Heavy Palma Lederer in an Eliseo stock and has a tuner on it. With joypod, NF Comp and Burris Sig rings, mirage shield and fancy grip from Doan Trevor (heavy) it was WAAAYY too close to max 8.25kg allowed (8.249 kg as just described). Swapped the rings for NF UL and had 3 oz to spare. Here's weigh in at World's in Aug....still close, but passed.

Drew

 

[Scott Harris]

What are some common set ups that you have seen on the line for F-T/R barrel length and configurations that are still within weight limit?

I would like to utilize a 32" .308 barrel and am debating on contour. The stock is a McMillan F-Class with Defiance single shot receiver and using the Joy Pod.

When running a 32" barrel, are most going with a Light Palma?

I'd suggest using at least a heavy palma contour for F-TR and heavier is even better. You just need to take care when planning out the other components. Stick with an action that is 36 oz or less. Get a 31oz or less scope, use a bipod that is 18 oz or less. With McMillan, tell them your target weight based on the sum of all the other components and they can create a custom stock fill to hit the weight target. I have done these things and use a 32" barrel with light varmint contour: make weight no problem.

 

[DaveMarine1]

Thank you all for the insight and advice

 

[dcali]

One more piece of advice. A 32" barrel isn't all it's cracked up to be. I wouldn't hesitate to use 28", if that's what works for you. There's a long list of other things that matter more than a couple inches' worth of velocity. I know my next barrel will be shorter and heavier than my current 32".

 

[jsthntn247]

One more piece of advice. A 32" barrel isn't all it's cracked up to be. I wouldn't hesitate to use 28", if that's what works for you. There's a long list of other things that matter more than a couple inches' worth of velocity. I know my next barrel will be shorter and heavier than my current 32".

I won't have any more longer than 30 myself

 

[Greg Brooks]

For FTR I actually shoot a 32" straight contour Bartlein with 215gr Bergers, NF Competition 15-55x in a Manners T5A stock w/ADL, reworked single shot 700 receiver, Jewell trigger and Joypod. Easily make weight (close but never any issues). If you plan around each component and balance the weight, use whatever you want to, the straight contour doesn't make an exorbitant amount of difference in accuracy/gun handling as long as you plan accordingly.