6BR Barrel Contour and Accuracy

[bobcat1506]

Are there any inherent accuracy differences between barrel contours in 6BR? For a match barrel (Kreiger, Hart, etc) is a Heavy Varmint contour inherently more accurate than a Remington Varmint contour?

 

[Shynloco]

Bobcat,
Since nobody else has thrown in their two cents, I'll take a shot at your question. The reason why people who shoot seriously in COMPETITION (and other accuracy freaks like me) buy the Kreigers, Shilens, Harts, Lilja barrels, is they are paying for ultimate consistency in the tube that'll be sending out their best loads for that particular rifle. What Heavy Contour barrels (usually in the range of 1.250 first 6" and then .940 the remainder of the barrel down to the muzzle) is to help keep the temps even and down, that is caused by the friction of the bullet going down the barrel. And uneven and high heat temps can cause you accuracy issues. I cannot and will not speak for the contour of Remington barrels, but there has to be a reason why serious shooters, striving for ultimate accuracy buy and mount those "Match Grade Barrels" mentioned above. Though you may see a Remington 700 action on a competitive line, you won't see a Remington Barrel on a one of them (at least I never have). Personally, if I were building a competitive rifle and trying to keep the expense down, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Remington 700 action, but I'd be buying a HV Shilen, Hart, Kreiger or Lilja barrel to mount on that action, regardless of the caliber. I now have two Harts on a few of my rifles that I shoot for Benchrest fun. The accuracy those barrels, coupled with the most detailed loads I can muster for each rifle, keeps me a happy camper, even though my weakest link is my eyesight. It's not that Remington barrels aren't good. It's that they are not the best available that money can buy and it boils down to what you are trying to accomplish.

 

[Sully2]

I agree with Shynloco. Ive got 4 heavy barreled rifles in my collection...2 of which I dont even have settled down and sighted in yet. My 243 is coming along but the 22-250 shoot 3 holes I can cover totally with a dime at 100yds. Close enough for "Government work" as they say. Of course I'll probably shoot until I cant cover 3 with a hubcap....

My 260 and my 6BR I havent gotten settled in yet and am working on reloads for them. The 6BR is stricyly a target rifle in a Shehane stock with a 23" heavy barrel. All the rest of my "killers"..........are sitting in Remington VLS laminated wooden stocks. My 260 is customized with a worked over M700 action and a Brux barrel in a VLS stock I ordered from Remington. I just like them and they fit me..???

 

[Sully2]

Are there any inherent accuracy differences between barrel contours in 6BR? For a match barrel (Kreiger, Hart, etc) is a Heavy Varmint contour inherently more accurate than a Remington Varmint contour?

Its whats INSIDE that makes the difference. Outside shape whether its "Joe's Varmint contour" or "Remingtons varmint contour "...isnt going to break the bank either way

 

[Josh11]

Are you asking about the contour of a Rem barrel vs. a strait contour regarding accuracy or are you asking about Remington barrels themselves? As far as Remington producing good barrels, there is a good video on this site that shows a bore scope in a Remington barrel compared to a custom barrel.

As far as Remington varmint contour, as long as its a custom barrel, it should shoot.

 

[mshelton]

From what I understand and have been told by a very successful gunsmith, the shorter fatter barrels are inherently more accurate than longer skinny ones. This has to to do not only with stiffness and less harmonics but with less travel time in the barrel.

ymmv

 

[Bradley Walker]

From what I understand and have been told by a very successful gunsmith, the shorter fatter barrels are inherently more accurate than longer skinny ones. This has to to do not only with stiffness and less harmonics but with less travel time in the barrel.

ymmv

This is true.

 

[bobcat1506]

My question is regarding the contour of the barrel, not the maker. I see on Krieger's site they offer both a Heavy Varmint and a Rem Varmint. The HV is heavier but the Rem Varmint “drops-in” and requires no modifications to the stock. If there is no real benefit to the HV then there is a considerable case for going with the Rem Varmint contour. It sounds like the HV might be a little more accurate and consistent when it heats up. Seems like the HV is the way to go for accuracy especially in extended pdog and target sessions!

 

[Dan Hall]

As long as you buy the best barrels you shouldn't have any accuracy issues as they get hot. Quality barrels will shoot just as good hot as they do cold. As you have probably noticed most target barrels, whether it's light varmint or heavy varmint in bench rest, are a straight taper design. In general straight taper barrels are easier to tune than a contoured barrel. That's why you see a lot of them in competition. You also will see a lot a straight constant diameter barrels in unlimited guns where weight isn't an issue. Shilen offers their select match barrels in 3 target weights. Light, medium and heavy I think it is. The weight differences doesn't make a barrel more accurate, just easier to shoot accurately They are all a straight taper design. good luck.

 

[Sully2]

My question is regarding the contour of the barrel, not the maker. I see on Krieger's site they offer both a Heavy Varmint and a Rem Varmint. The HV is heavier but the Rem Varmint “drops-in” and requires no modifications to the stock. If there is no real benefit to the HV then there is a considerable case for going with the Rem Varmint contour. It sounds like the HV might be a little more accurate and consistent when it heats up. Seems like the HV is the way to go for accuracy especially in extended pdog and target sessions!

Same maker; same rifling only diff being the outer contour...wont be jack squat difference in accuracy! All of mine with the exception of 1 are Rem Varment contour and when scoped weigh almost 13 lbs. Too much for some "classes" but if your in an unlimited open clase...why not shoot the biggest there is? No penalty for being overweight at all.

As far as drop in..its ONE reason I chose that contour...but even for the bull barrel contour all it takes is a rotary rasp and a drill with a long shank but to run the rasp. Its no big deal.