Barnard P vs Barnard S

[Tony1320]

Would you be giving up anything using a Barnard S vs a Barnard P for FTR? I haven't be able to find much info on people using the Model S

 

[Laurie]

The 'S' is very widely used in GB FTR - much more so these days than the 'P'. The big pluses are weight saving over the 'P' and it's having the Remington 700 external profile and trigger hangers. Everybody wants to save weight on the action, stock, bipod and scope these days to put it into the barrel, so the later generation of single-shot FTR orientated actions are all significantly lighter than earlier heavier models (that remain in use in F/O). The 'S' certainly seems to perform more than satisfactorily in the discipline. The lack of a supplied trigger is double-edged - extra cost unlike the 'P', but making a wide choice available to the purchaser in putting the rifle parts list together. Same on the 700 profile - it provides the choice of a large range of stocks already fully inletted, semi-inletted, pre-fitted bedding block in the stock etc options.

 

[Tony1320]

The 'S' is very widely used in GB FTR - much more so these days than the 'P'. The big pluses are weight saving over the 'P' and it's having the Remington 700 external profile and trigger hangers. Everybody wants to save weight on the action, stock, bipod and scope these days to put it into the barrel, so the later generation of single-shot FTR orientated actions are all significantly lighter than earlier heavier models (that remain in use in F/O). The 'S' certainly seems to perform more than satisfactorily in the discipline. The lack of a supplied trigger is double-edged - extra cost unlike the 'P', but making a wide choice available to the purchaser in putting the rifle parts list together. Same on the 700 profile - it provides the choice of a large range of stocks already fully inletted, semi-inletted, pre-fitted bedding block in the stock etc options.

So there's really no down side to go with the S its a better fit for FTR. What is GB FTR?

 

[mgdietrich]

So there's really no down side to go with the S its a better fit for FTR. What is GB FTR?

Great Britain

 

[Redrover]

So there's really no down side to go with the S its a better fit for FTR.

The Barnard S action does not quite drop straight into a stock inletted for a Rem 700 action - the Barnard receiver ring is longer. This can lead to complications, especially as regards the recoil lug. Not an insurmountable problem, but you do need to think out how you are going to deal with it before buying a stock.

 

[Laurie]

So there's really no down side to go with the S its a better fit for FTR.

Correct. Obviously, choice is also influenced by supply and price factors too in your local situation. Barnard actions were very widely used here in the UK until a few years ago as they were both widely available and very good value - then the NZ dollar to pound sterling rate changed so radically that sales of Barnard actions, stocks and also True-Flite barrels fell precipitously thanks to exchange rate induced price rises. There are lots of Rem 700 profile alternatives from Pierce, Borden, Stolle, Nesika and others from the USA, and we now have several successful home-produced actions here too. (Thank you very much indeed Uncle Sam and your ridiculous ITAR regulations, costs and bureaucracy for creating that spur to get our own producers moving!) I have two Stolle Atlas based rifles, this action a nice two-lug FTR type, and two Barnard 'P' based rifles one of which was the basis of my first proper FTR rifle, but both of which have been restricted to F-Open for a long time now thanks to weight issues.

Despite all the abuse heaped on them in these forums, I also have a soft spot for the Savage 12 PTA action which can perform very well indeed in this role and offers fantastic value, (but not in this country anymore).