Maximum accurate barrel diameter for Heavy Gun?

[RDavies]

I am having a Heavy Gun built for 1000yd BR and fly shoots in Australia. The barrel block is set up for 1.450" barrels, but could be machined bigger. Is there any point of no gains at a certain size? I know the local barrel manufacturers make 2" barrels which would be good for handle the heat, but might be too stiff to tune or regulate the vertical out of a barrel. What is the widest people go for? It will be chambered in 300WSM.

 

[dkhunt14]

Most of our shooters use straight 1.450. A few use 2.000 diam. and a few use 1.250 straight. The guys that use 2.000 seem to do no better then the 1.450 guys. Almost everybody uses a barrel block about 9 inches long and that tends to stiffen the barrel.

 

[fm1947]

Glad you ask this question, I wondered how a person supports a barrel like a straight 1.250 and larger, a barrel block huh, where do you find them.

 

[nastynatesfish]

I don't have issue with mine. It's 1.254 after cleaning it up. 28" long

 

[RDavies]

Nastynestsfish, my F class barrels are 1.25" as well, but I was after the next size up for a true benchrest heavy gun. The stock alone weighs 30lb, without the big barrel block, barrel, action etc.
I will likely go with a standard ? 1.450" diameter.

 

[fm1947]

How did you get your stock to weigh 30 lbs?

 

[RDavies]

How did you get your stock to weigh 30 lbs?

I bought it that way 2nd hand. I would say the previous owner had it filled with lead. The 8" wide sled on the fore end would also have added some to the weight.

 

[fm1947]

The 8" wide sled

Wow, I would like to see a picture of that, man that is a heavy gun.

 

[TonyR]

The 8" wide sled

Wow, I would like to see a picture of that, man that is a heavy gun.

Here's one example:
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2012/11/seb-max-coaxial-front-rest-field-test-by-sam-hall/

 

[fm1947]

Now that's a big gun, enjoyed the video, I can't imagine the cost, I'm sure building one of them is out of my pay grade, Thanks for link, that rest is nice also.

 

[nastynatesfish]

My rifle only weighs 17.2lol only