Rifle Balance Question.....Barrel Taper???

[Phil]

Borden Alpine Magnum action......26oz.
Jewell trigger.............................2.25oz.
Manners T6A Stock.....................53.3oz.
Ti Pic Rail..................................2.9oz.
Ti Rings....................................3.85oz.
March 2.5x25x42.......................26.5oz.
...............................................7.175LBS...




What barrel profile should I run on this so that it balances out nicely?????

Proof barrel is 3lbs 3oz, but spendy as all get out.........

This is a carry gun for shooting coyotes 22-243AI w/ 75 Amax, so it`s kind of a barrel burner for coyotes @$900 a barrel......

What are some recommendations for profiles that wouldn`t throw the balance out of whack??????


Phil.

 

[jdh47]

A Krieger Remington Varmint contour weighs about 4.5#. That is what I have on mine. If your present barrel is 3.3# now and it balances well that is what you should stay with. You should be able to get a barrel for less than $900 unless you are counting the price of a custom reamer also but that will do lots of barrels.

Joe

 

[Phil]

Joe,

I don`t have a barrel yet, I was looking for opinions from others as to what they are using and the weights, also how well they balanced.

Phil.

 

[JRS]

What finished length barrel do you plan to use?

 

[Phil]

26"

 

[JRS]

Unless you want to carry a ten plus pound rifle, you might have to go with a shorter length barrel.

 

[Phil]

Unless you want to carry a ten plus pound rifle, you might have to go with a shorter length barrel.

True, but 10 is better than 11..........

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Borden Alpine Magnum action......26oz.
Jewell trigger.............................2.25oz.
Manners T6A Stock.....................53.3oz.
Ti Pic Rail..................................2.9oz.
Ti Rings....................................3.85oz.
March 2.5x25x42.......................26.5oz.
...............................................7.175LBS...




What barrel profile should I run on this so that it balances out nicely?????

Proof barrel is 3lbs 3oz, but spendy as all get out.........

This is a carry gun for shooting coyotes 22-243AI w/ 75 Amax, so it`s kind of a barrel burner for coyotes @$900 a barrel......

What are some recommendations for profiles that wouldn`t throw the balance out of whack??????


Phil.

JMHO, but that stock is heavy for a carry rifle. Not that there's anything wrong with them...they're great..just heavy. If you don't already have the stock, I'd consider lighter options. If you already have it, you'll have to live with a fairly heavy carry rifle. That said, a 10-10.5lb rifle isn't too bad to carry, just heavier than I consider ideal. Most hunting rifles, ready to shoot, are in the range of 9-10lbs. I've built some on that stock and similar ones, using a #4 shilen or similar. That's gonna put you at around 11 lbs but should handle pretty well. You just don't want it to be nose heavy with that much weight. I wouldn't get too hung up on 26 inches for barrel length. I'd say to cut a #4 at about 23-24 inches long and you should have a good handling hunting rifle. Long barrels are not good for carrying, nor is it needed in a hunting rig. Cutting it at 24 will keep it under the 11lb mark by a few ounces, and is removing weight at the best possible place for handling. Again..JMHO.

Sounds like a very nice rifle you're building. Don't let anything I've said take away from that..but do consider the practicality of a heavy carry rifle, as most people would be disappointed with any gun that isn't good at what they built it to do, well.

 

[JRS]

Have you considered the additional weight of a loaded magazine and bi-pod (if you plan to use one)? You're going to need enough meat on that barrel so that it doesn't overheat after firing 2-3 rounds. Balance and weight was a major consideration for me on a new build, and I chose a Shehane long range sporter stock in African Obeche, a #4 heavy sporter barrel finished at 22", and the lightweight Talley ring-base combo on an Alpine action.

Edit: My scope weighs 19.2 ounces.

 

[Phil]

I don`t currently have the weight of the Surgeon DBM and 5 round mag, so that will have to be added along with the bi-pod.


Nose heavy is my concern.....24" may be the number.

A #4 Brux is 4lbs and will send the rifle over 11lbs easy, but I`m not a fan of super thin barrels, hence my dilemma....

That is where the Proof barrel idea came in, I just have to choke on the price and decide if it`s worth it to me.....

 

[jdh47]

Mine is a Tac 30, 6.5 Creedmoor, Krieger 23.75" Rem. varmint contour barrel and Shilen trigger with AI mag., SWFA 5-20x50 HD scope, Hs Precision stock and it balances pretty well but it weighs 12.5#.

The Stiller Tac.30 weighs about the same as your action. The 22 cal. barrel will weigh a little more. Barrel length will dictate weight more than anything else since your stock and scope are chosen. The HSP stock weighs app. 45 oz. or so. Your stock is heavier but your scope is lighter. The heavier contour will add weight overall and the longer barrel will throw the balance farther forward.

It really depends on the application. Mine balances app. 8" in front of the trigger unloaded with a Harris bi-pod. You have the makings of a fine ensemble.

Joe

 

[JRS]

Use a #5 fluted barrel. Isn't this a hunting rifle? With the components you have right now, you are going to exceed eleven pounds by quite a bit.

 

[Phil]

I also looked at the Light Palma contour, it is 4.5lbs, I wonder what it would weigh and handle like @24"?????

 

[Phil]

Use a #5 fluted barrel. Isn't this a hunting rifle? With the components you have right now, you are going to exceed eleven pounds by quite a bit.

It sure is looking like it.......

That is why the barrel influences both balance and weight, as well as cost$$$$$$$$$

 

[Phil]

Taking the adjustable comb off of the stock saves me just over 18ozs.


But that would make the handling of the rifle more critical to barrel profile and length.........I think.........

 

[timeout]

It sure is looking like it.......

That is why the barrel influences both balance and weight, as well as cost$$$$$$$$$

Unless you are in a coyote utopia, over heating the barrel is a non issue. I have a couple hunting rigs with 23" #3 sporters. They shoot plenty accurate and are pleasant to tote. Both have Harrell's radial brakes turned to the barrel diameter.

 

[JRS]

The Surgeon DBM weighs 8.8 ounces + the weight of the magazine and loaded ammo. You're going to have quite a little bit of weight centered around the action itself.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I don`t currently have the weight of the Surgeon DBM and 5 round mag, so that will have to be added along with the bi-pod.


Nose heavy is my concern.....24" may be the number.

A #4 Brux is 4lbs and will send the rifle over 11lbs easy, but I`m not a fan of super thin barrels, hence my dilemma....

That is where the Proof barrel idea came in, I just have to choke on the price and decide if it`s worth it to me.....

The DBM will add weight but won't affect balance much because of where it is...but the bipod changes everything! You're not gonna have a good handling rifle with the mentioned components and a bipod hanging out there. Let me re-phrase that...You're not going to have what I consider, a good handling rifle with the bipod attached. Take it off and you should be fine.

 

[JRS]

I also looked at the Light Palma contour, it is 4.5lbs, I wonder what it would weigh and handle like @24"?????

You're building a carry rifle for hunting. Use a hunting contour barrel and length. Those coyotes won't know whether that bullet was fired from a heavy 26" barrel, or a #4 or #5 barrel at 22" in length.

 

[Phil]

I do have a tripod that I`ve used before while coyote hunting, and of course a back pack for the rocks too, so the bi-pod is just a because optional thingy.......