Barrel Contour?

[Bully]

I am purchasing a R700 in .223 that will be getting torn apart, both barrels/trigger/stock getting sold. I'm going to send it to my "mentor" if you will in Michigan to have the bolt face opened up and a Sako/M16 style extractor installed, set primary extraction, yadda-yadda. I'll grab a RemAge prefit from NSS for the barrel (I am open to suggestions on other places to buy a barrel). I will be running it mostly suppressed.
I am also hoping to build the stock, but will run something else until that happens.
Plan is to build a DoIt-All rifle in 6.5Grendel. I have access to 300 locally and will shoot there occasionally but may also look to hunt it a bit if I can find a land owner willing to let me. So, this is truly a rifle built to do everything well, nothing exceptionally well. I understand the compromises and am comfortable with them.

My question is: what contour?
I love the MTU coutour but it might be a bit too much so I'm thinking Light Varmint? I don't know...
I do prefer straight taper barrels. I don't want to go too light as I will be shooting it at paper. This is the last little detail I want straightened in my head before proceeding.

 

[LVLAaron]

If you're always going to have a suppressor dangling out there, I'd want the heavier barrel. I like MTU/M24 barrels on "tactical" type rifles.

 

[Rob01]

.223 Wylde, 7 twist, M24/MTU would be my choice. Length is up to you but I went 27" but not suppressed most of the time either. I would go 20" if running always suppressed.

But if you are having a smith work on it why not send him a barrel blank to install?

 

[DaveTooley]

You reach a point of diminishing returns when considering barrel weight. You will be getting a POI shift no matter which contour you pick. POI shifts are repeatable and are just a scope adjustment when going from suppressed to un suppressed and vice versa. So the question is at what point is weight nothing more than just more weight. A 6.5 Grendel doesn't have much recoil. Personally I wouldn't go larger than a Rem VT. or medium Palma.

 

[urbanrifleman]

.223 Wylde, 7 twist, M24/MTU would be my choice. Length is up to you but I went 27" but not suppressed most of the time either. I would go 20" if running always suppressed.

But if you are having a smith work on it why not send him a barrel blank to install?

Me too.

Or the 223 issf reamer in 7 twist.

Or the 233 Ackley. I have the 223 Ackley 8 twist Remage HV in stock on the shelf... And they are shooters.

Stick to 223!! In these times, the 223 is your friend. Bullets are available. Brass is available.

 

[Bully]

Me too.

Or the 223 issf reamer in 7 twist.

Or the 233 Ackley. I have the 223 Ackley 8 twist Remage HV in stock on the shelf... And they are shooters.

Stick to 223!! In these times, the 223 is your friend. Bullets are available. Brass is available.

I have plenty of .223 rifles. It's my favorite caliber when I spend the time to think on what I like shooting the most.
I have Grendel brass/bullets/powder. So I'm in good-ish shape.

.223 Wylde, 7 twist, M24/MTU would be my choice. Length is up to you but I went 27" but not suppressed most of the time either. I would go 20" if running always suppressed.

But if you are having a smith work on it why not send him a barrel blank to install?

See above on .223

It's a thought to have him barrel it. It's times like this I miss my lathe...

 

[Bully]

I spoke to my buddy.
He doesn't have that reamer and is hesitant to get one as I'm the first to ask for that chambering.
A pre-fit is just fine for me.

 

[Dave in WI]

Go with a heavier barrel and have @boltfluter put some cool flutes on it to lighten it. Best of both worlds.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I spoke to my buddy.
He doesn't have that reamer and is hesitant to get one as I'm the first to ask for that chambering.
A pre-fit is just fine for me.

Buy the reamer. He wont be hesitant to take it.

 

[Bully]

Buy the reamer. He wont be hesitant to take it.

A pre-fit is easier.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Rent the reamer.

 

[Migolito]

Are you walking with the rifle, or shooting Yotes, Ground Hogs, Target? IF you are walking and hunting, the only shot that counts is the first, so, thin barrels are just fine. IF you are shooting calling Yotes, or shooting mounds, or even PRS, get a heavy contour and flute that sucker.

Check out Preferred Barrel(https://preferredbarrelblanks.com/

 

[Bully]

Are you walking with the rifle, or shooting Yotes, Ground Hogs, Target? IF you are walking and hunting, the only shot that counts is the first, so, thin barrels are just fine. IF you are shooting calling Yotes, or shooting mounds, or even PRS, get a heavy contour and flute that sucker.

Check out Preferred Barrel(https://preferredbarrelblanks.com/

Some walking. Not too much. Hoping to get it on piggies.

 

[X Count]

I have a rem700, HS stock, Lumley bottom metal, NF SHV 4.5-14x50, NF rail, Harris bipod and 24" heavy Palma barrel in 308. It shoots well and is nice to manage prone or off a rest but I'm reasonably fit and its heavier than I'd like to be carrying any significant distance.

Also did similar deal with a rem700, hs stock, standard floor plate, Leupold 4.5-14x50, 2 piece bases in .308 with a 20" heavy Palma and that balances and carries SIGNIFICANTLY better. It's lighter and also the shorter barrel brings the weight back to the middle. The flush standard floor plate makes it balance in 1 hand.

If your going a 223, low recoil, and you want a 24" or longer and you want to carry it I'd recommend something close to a medium Palma depending on how strong your feeling!

 

[Bully]

I have a rem700, HS stock, Lumley bottom metal, NF SHV 4.5-14x50, NF rail, Harris bipod and 24" heavy Palma barrel in 308. It shoots well and is nice to manage prone or off a rest but I'm reasonably fit and its heavier than I'd like to be carrying any significant distance.

Also did similar deal with a rem700, hs stock, standard floor plate, Leupold 4.5-14x50, 2 piece bases in .308 with a 20" heavy Palma and that balances and carries SIGNIFICANTLY better. It's lighter and also the shorter barrel brings the weight back to the middle. The flush standard floor plate makes it balance in 1 hand.

If your going a 223, low recoil, and you want a 24" or longer and you want to carry it I'd recommend something close to a medium Palma depending on how strong your feeling!

Rifle will be a 16-18" 6.5Grendel.

 

[Judd]

Brux #3 for 16“ and #4 for 18-20”

Depending in outside temp they will take 3-5 round minimum before heating up. You couldn’t give me an mtu contour for anything except sniper games or 10+ shot strings. Good luck!

 

[X Count]

Rifle will be a 16-18" 6.5Grendel.

6.5 Grendel is going to be a pussy cat and easy to carry at 16-18" with a heavy Palma but if your going to add a 6" can then it's going to be back at 22-24" and similar weight. Depends on how much you think you can carry and how far you want to carry it. You can always do some research on barrel contours and weights and load up this gun or another to simulate different barrels to give you a feel for it.