Barrel Contour / Stock Channel For F-T/R Build

[Florida Wally]

I’m new to custom rifles and just bought a Kelbly Atlas action with an AG composite stock from another member. The stock has a Remington varmint contour and I’m going to use it for F T/R .308. I’ve added up the weight of all of the build components I intend to use and have about 9 lbs so far without the barrel. What would be the heaviest barrel that could fit the the Remington varmint channel? I would like to put a 30” barrel and get to 17.5 or 18 lbs if I can, so I have a lot of room weight wise. Is there such a thing as an 8 or 9 lb barrel? If I can’t get a a Remington varmint barrel heavy enough, is it difficult to sand the composite stock to fit another barrel? If I try to open the channel to fit a much larger barrel profile like a bull barrel or straight profile, what are the pitfalls that could potentially mess up the stock?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Open the channel. Lots of ventilation around the barrel too- i use 1.5”

 

[spike-55]

^^^^^^^
if you don't have access to power tools it is a little labor intensive, but you can get some 40 grit sandpaper and some dowel pins or large sockets to open the chamber up to your desired size. wrap the sandpaper around sockets or dowels and sand away. 1.5" is good for most.
stan

 

[NZ_Fclass]

30 in is nice - but if you are needing to save weight - 28 in works pretty well. if weight is not an issue, I would rather put the weight into the diameter than the length. I run a 28in medium Palma, my next one will be a 28in finishing at .950. 11.25 twist.

 

[DumpHollow]

Does "all the components" include your scope weight? Add that in and the go to the barrel manufacturers tables to see what contour you can use and still make weight.

 

[Florida Wally]

Does "all the components" include your scope weight? Add that in and the go to the barrel manufacturers tables to see what contour you can use and still make weight.

Yes, scope, rings, bipod, everything. Thanks for the tip. I’ll go check some websites. Difficult for me to figure out though. Guess I’ll plan on opening the channel for any barrel I pick.

 

[Jdne5b]

I run a Bartlein modified heavy varmint (same contour but end at .950@30 inches instead of .900) and I'm pretty sure it's over 8lbs but under 9.

 

[Florida Wally]

I run a Bartlein modified heavy varmint (same contour but end at .950@30 inches instead of .900) and I'm pretty sure it's over 8lbs but under 9.

Thanks, I think something like this would work. When you say same contour, is your barrel channel for a Remington varmint contour and did you open it some?

 

[Jdne5b]

Thanks, I think something like this would work. When you say same contour, is your barrel channel for a Remington varmint contour and did you open it some?

No, mine was made to take a 1.25 straight so probably between 1.35-1.5 diameter channel.

I would call AG and see if that particular stock can be opened as far as you need, maybe they would do it for a reasonable fee.

 

[Florida Wally]

No, mine was made to take a 1.25 straight so probably between 1.35-1.5 diameter channel.

I would call AG and see if that particular stock can be opened as far as you need, maybe they would do it for a reasonable fee.

That’s a good idea. Thanks again!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

That’s a good idea. Thanks again!

Before you modify it too much check the forend flex. You may need to sell that stock and the one you replace it with will probably have the correct channel to start with.

 

[Florida Wally]

Before you modify it too much check the forend flex. You may need to sell that stock and the one you replace it with will probably have the correct channel to start with.

Yes, that is my concern. I’ll call AG before I do anything. It is a good looking stock and I’d hate not using it. Thanks for pointing this out.