Seeking advice, Replacing F-Class .308 barrel with ?

[Comrade Terry]

Barrel now has 1653 rounds through it, probably at the life of a Remington factory barrel.

I think your barrel should have a lot of life left in it. My Rem 5R .308 barrel didn't give up until 4,500+ rounds.

You may want to save the barrel $$ and invest in some of the other fine recommendations you've gotten.

 

[Papa Charlie]

I think your barrel should have a lot of life left in it. My Rem 5R .308 barrel didn't give up until 4,500+ rounds.

You may want to save the barrel $$ and invest in some of the other fine recommendations you've gotten.

I hear you, but I don't think my barrel is performing as well as yours did. This is a catch 22 for me. I can replace the scope and see the target better, but what good is it if the barrel won't put the rounds where I am aiming, or I can have a barrel that puts it where I am aiming, but my view of the target will be limited. I would love to be able to do the barrel and the scope at the same time. However, my budget doesn't allow for it. I have to try and balance this. If I get the scope now, it will be a long time before I can get the barrel, well past 5000 rounds. My thinking is that if I get the barrel, it should improve my numbers significantly until I am able to save up for the scope.

 

[JBT47]

I hear you, but I don't think my barrel is performing as well as yours did. This is a catch 22 for me. I can replace the scope and see the target better, but what good is it if the barrel won't put the rounds where I am aiming, or I can have a barrel that puts it where I am aiming, but my view of the target will be limited. I would love to be able to do the barrel and the scope at the same time. However, my budget doesn't allow for it. I have to try and balance this. If I get the scope now, it will be a long time before I can get the barrel, well past 5000 rounds. My thinking is that if I get the barrel, it should improve my numbers significantly until I am able to save up for the scope.

Would definitely get the action trued and rebarrel with premium barrel. Then you can work on getting a scope.

 

[Tempest]

Aftermarket barrel will be a marked improvement over factory barrel.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Well just came back from Benchmark placed order for barrel. I still have time to adjust order so want your opinions.

Ordered:
Length 30"
Dia at action 1.25"
Taper Contour Straight
Distance to taper 5.0"
Dia at muzzle 0.950"
Twist rate 1:10

I was concerned about weight so went smaller at muzzle than I would have liked. Rifle weighs 15.5 now with factory Varmint barrel. Best I can tell is factory barrel weighs 4lb 6oz. I calculated new barrel at 7lb 5oz, without taper.
Will eventually get a Vortex GE and maybe some day a Joypod rest. From what I understand I have to keep below 18lb 2oz.

 

[JBT47]

Do you have a gunsmith who will fit your barrel?

 

[Papa Charlie]

Benchmark is going to true and blueprint the action, and install the barrel. They make their own barrels too. They have a very good reputation. Also a big backlog, hence the 8 to 10 weeks before barrel will be ready and another 4 to 5 weeks to complete the action work and fit barrel.

 

[Tempest]

So pleased with my Benchmark barrel, I ordered another.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Excited about having a custom barrel and the truing of the action.

I will be pulling my gun down today to weight each of the components. Need to have a real understanding of weights. This way I can be sure that I haven't added too much weight on some upgrades that would preclude me making other future upgrades.

 

[JBT47]

You will be pleased with that Benchmark barrel.