Why have a barrel channel at all?

[Tommie]

This question pertains to target rifles, not hunting guns.

What is the purpose of a barrel channel in the stock versus the fore end simply being a "tongue" so the barrel has greater exposure to cooling air? I've seen a few photos of guns without a barrel channel but it's not the norm. Seems that even the semi-enclosed condition would capture heat. Is it a structural issue? If so, could the "tongue" style fore end not be reinforced?
The lousy art is my lame attempt at a visual reference. Basically, why does the area covered by the blue blob exist?

 

[DaveTooley]

This question pertains to target rifles, not hunting guns.

What is the purpose of a barrel channel in the stock versus the fore end simply being a "tongue" so the barrel has greater exposure to cooling air? I've seen a few photos of guns without a barrel channel but it's not the norm. Seems that even the semi-enclosed condition would capture heat. Is it a structural issue? If so, could the "tongue" style fore end not be reinforced?
The lousy attempt at art is my lame attempt at a visual reference. Basically, why does the area covered up by the blue blob exist?
View attachment 1319371

Rigidity without adding weight

 

[CJ6]

My guess is rigidity. That would also depend on material used.

 

[Toptom]

I don’t have enough knowledge to provide a answer, but that is a really neat thought.

 

[watercam]

I can see the need for Benchrest and F-Class shooters but I have shot plenty of 1000 yd. Highpower targets just fine with my open sided forend(s). European shooters have had them for many years with no precision issues. In my mind anything that helps cool the barrel while shooting is a good thing.

 

[Fuj]

What I like about chassis stocks. Most are slotted on the
bottom and can give a chimney effect along the length
of the barrel. Most BR stocks are solid bottom and don't
need to be. Just mil out a few spaced out slots on the bottom.

 

[JMayo]

I've seen slotted stocks.

I sold a fiberglass that in my mind had become flexing over the years.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Laminates are strong in the vertical plane, lay them flat like that and you have a diving board. I like flex in a forend but that would be extreme. You could wrap a honey comb in carbon and make it work maybe. But the whole barrel cooling thing is overrated. You can put heat into a barrel really fast but no matter what you do its going to take a while to cool. Its not going to cool during your string of fire.

 

[Sniper338]

Most rail guns have the barrel fully exposed. ARs and chassis rifles are pretty much fully free floated.

But like what was noted in a 20 fire string at an f class shoot, no matter what the barrel isnt going to dissipate heat fast enough to stay cool not matter what. Fully exposes it may cool quicker after shooting, but by how much? The internal barrel temp is what matters, not the outside

 

[M-61]

Really thinking outside the box.
From Guns of the week.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Laminates are strong in the vertical plane, lay them flat like that and you have a diving board. I like flex in a forend but that would be extreme. You could wrap a honey comb in carbon and make it work maybe. But the whole barrel cooling thing is overrated. You can put heat into a barrel really fast but no matter what you do its going to take a while to cool. Its not going to cool during your string of fire.

That's right. Rigidity and aesthetics are really the only reasons that I can think of for the stock coming up the sides of the barrel and I've never found a noticeable advantage to fluted stocks. I also agree that maybe stocks can be too stiff. FWIW.
.I can't see a lot of difference between a super rigid stock and a front bag that's too hard.

 

[G Liles]

This question pertains to target rifles, not hunting guns.

What is the purpose of a barrel channel in the stock versus the fore end simply being a "tongue" so the barrel has greater exposure to cooling air? I've seen a few photos of guns without a barrel channel but it's not the norm. Seems that even the semi-enclosed condition would capture heat. Is it a structural issue? If so, could the "tongue" style fore end not be reinforced?
The lousy attempt at art is my lame attempt at a visual reference. Basically, why does the area covered by the blue blob exist?
View attachment 1319371

Because it would be Fugly!!!

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Because it would be Fugly!!!

For sure!

 

[Plumsask]

This is Howas attempt.

 

[Sniper338]

Armilite 50 BMG rig/set up is a perfect example in a chassis...

 

[joshb]

Think C channel in metal.

 

[Terry]

I have a friend who has done this. I messaged him. Hopefully he will chime in.

 

[Bojo]

Not sure other than rigidity.
throw a piece of 1.500 solid round stock in a lathe that’s a foot long and just clamp it in the jaws to indicate it.
Put an indicator on the end at 12 o’clock and tap the bar stock with just your hand. It is amazing at how much a solid piece withmove with just a slight tap of soft human hand.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Not sure other than rigidity.
throw a piece of 1.500 solid round stock in a lathe that’s a foot long and just clamp it in the jaws to indicate it.
Put an indicator on the end at 12 o’clock and tap the bar stock with just your hand. It is amazing at how much a solid piece withmove with just a slight tap of soft human hand.

Surprisingly a tube is stronger than a solid bar. That gun of shelley’s up there above, the tinker toy, was all tubing and surprisingly rigid

 

[chop house]

what if, instead of the fore end coming up around the barrel, it was turned over so the bottom was sled like pontoons and the top was flat?