Two Barrels, Different Profiles, Same Rifle?

[Dimner]

I love being at the range shooting. Load development, small groups, ringing steel, all of the above.

I love the 15 days I get in November to rifle hunt. I like putting to use all the work I have done at the range with my rifle. That feeling when you take that whitetail with the rifle you have worked with all summer and early fall is amazing

However, it's always a compromise between the range and the woods when it comes to the barrel profile. At the range I always wish the barrel was a thicker profile so I could shoot longer shot strings. In the woods I always wish the barrel profile was lighter so it carried and balanced better. So I compromise and usually select a bartelin 3b type profile and I'm both happy and annoyed in both situations.

A possible solution: two barrels for the same rifle. Chambered with the same reamer at the same time with the same specs. Barrels with different profiles. Develop and tune separate loads for each barrel. Use the range profile barrel until around October. Switch over to the hunting profile on Oct 1. Spend the rest of October to verify the previously well tuned load and hunt with it in Nov?

That's my idea. Lets, for now, not discuss the cost or the wasteful economics or this plan.

Has anyone tried this? Is this a dumb idea? Somedays I get excited thinking about this build. Somedays I think it's a pretty bad idea.

.

 

[Bill Norris]

Sounds like a perfectly sane idea to me.

 

[6.5 forever]

Gotta love it when you put a plan to work!!

 

[Rick in Oregon]

For me, that would be a valid excuse for TWO rifles in the same caliber using the same load.
More is still better, right?

 

[KMart]

For me, that would be a valid excuse for TWO rifles in the same caliber using the same load.
More is still better, right?

That isn't an excuse, it is a need!

 

[Clancy]

I have had many a 5 and many a RVC in BR, Lapua, GT, etc, all of which are excellent on deer.

I’d say if money is loose, build two rifles, one with a LV contour and one with a Krieger 3/4/5.

If money is tight, just build one with a RVC barrel. I’ve had no trouble shooting back to back small groups with that contour over the last 20 years.

-OR-

Build one rifle with an M24/LV contour and swap to a Bartlein carbon M24 for hunting.

 

[DaveTooley]

One action
two stocks
two barrels

 

[Dimner]

Thank you forum boss or whoever changes the title of the post, that makes much more sense. I was having writers block on the post subject line

 

[Dimner]

Have any of you guys used carbon fiber barrels? I'm wary of them for no particular reason other than they are expensive and trendy.

 

[DaveTooley]

I have. If it's weight saving you want order a smaller contour. If you want to be cool order a CF barrel. But they are not all equal.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

All makes sense to me. Switch bbls just make sense in general as long as they don't pose a stock fitment problem. Carbon makes sense too but spendy. But you said don't mention that part. I've had good luck with cf fiber bbls in hunting applications and have seen some that shot so well...I just won't post about it. Lol!

A really good set of QD scope mounts and another scope for quite different tasks and without re-zeroing for two vastly different bbls and possibly loads etc. Remember, bbls are never really straight so you'll have some poi difference, all else being equal. Sometimes a little and sometimes a lot. Another scope shouldn't be a problem since you said not to worry about that part....and would have a lot of value in two very different applications. Good qd mounts might need a small tweak but should be close when switching back and forth but perfection...ehh.

 

[ebb]

A hunting rifle is all about the cold bore shot, so as I read this, what you want is a light weight rifle for hunting season and to be able to change the barrel after hunting season so you can shoot to your heart's content between the end of deer season and time to get ready for next season. Thats what a switch barrel rifle is all about in my mind. Sounds like a Dimner variation of the switch barrel theme. What's not to like?

 

[Fclassfool]

I'm still hung up on 15 whole days to hunt with a rifle but I'd just build another rifle.

 

[Dimner]

I'm still hung up on 15 whole days to hunt with a rifle but I'd just build another rifle.

In Michigan, unless you have access to private property, Nov 15 to the 30th is all you get with your rifle.

 

[swd]

I have one rifle that has 4-5 different barrels for different applications and fun. None are particularly light but several are different contours. Why not have have a light and heavy for hunting and range time. I think it’s a great idea.

 

[Dimner]

Thank you everyone! Glad for the reinforcement that it's not a dumb idea.

Now I have to figure out where to get two cut rifling barrels with different profiles at the same time, but hopefully without waiting 14-18 months.

One of the major deciding factors will be in regards to the lighter barrel. Do I go with a very light profile like a #1 or #2 or a #2b or #3 with fluting. Preference is on the latter, however I have never had fluting done. I suspect it's best to have it done by the barrel manufacturer at the time the barrel is made?

 

[boltfluter]

Thank you everyone! Glad for the reinforcement that it's not a dumb idea.

Now I have to figure out where to get two cut rifling barrels with different profiles at the same time, but hopefully without waiting 14-18 months.

One of the major deciding factors will be in regards to the lighter barrel. Do I go with a very light profile like a #1 or #2 or a #2b or #3 with fluting. Preference is on the latter, however I have never had fluting done. I suspect it's best to have it done by the barrel manufacturer at the time the barrel is made?

A fluted 3b makes for a very nice hunting weight rifle. I have done many over the years. Good luck and keep us posted.
Paul

 

[dthomas]

Makes perfect sense to me. Check bugholes for your barrels. If they are out of stock get on the notification list. They will also flute the barrel for you.

 

[Bill Norris]

Thank you everyone! Glad for the reinforcement that it's not a dumb idea.

Now I have to figure out where to get two cut rifling barrels with different profiles at the same time, but hopefully without waiting 14-18 months.

One of the major deciding factors will be in regards to the lighter barrel. Do I go with a very light profile like a #1 or #2 or a #2b or #3 with fluting. Preference is on the latter, however I have never had fluting done. I suspect it's best to have it done by the barrel manufacturer at the time the barrel is made?

I have a # 4 taper on my Model 7 Hunter and it works really well with the 30BR.

 

[Walt Krafft]

My ocd has been known to build a rifle for an empty chamber flag that was feeling lonely. Extra barrels, stocks, actions; never without getting the rest of the parts and putting it together. A switch barrel gun will NEVER have the right barrel on it when you need it.