LR precision barrel length & stock choices

[bsumoba]

Picked up a 30" (31" raw) 7mm Bartlein barrel in a 1.25 to 1" taper contour. I am having a hard time deciding between keeping it at 30" or cut down to 28". I will/want to attach a brake of some sort also.

I know the added velocity is nice to have and would be ideal for what this gun is going to be used for, but the length seems awfully long, especially given the stock choices I want to go with.

I am not going to go with a F-Class rifle stock, only because I want to start with a bipod and I want to make this rifle slightly more mobile than strictly a prone w/tripod rest or bench gun. Eventually, I will probably turn this into a true f-class rifle, but for now, i just want it to be a more mobile, f-class open rifle.

The choices of stock are the Manners T4-A folder, the AICS and Whiskey3 so far from my research. I currently have an AICS and love it. Still researching others but any input on stock choices for what I want to do is welcome.

[CobraRed]

What is the downside for you with length? I have a 28" on a long action 700 with the same contour and when it gets replaced I may go 29-30". I really dont notice a disadvantage except maybe for front heaviness.
If you're target shooting and not doing tactical stuff or limited in class by weight it's free FPS. I even use it out in BLM off of rocks and dirt - not really a problem. My stock has two sling studs and I use the furthest one and the balance isn't bad at all.

You'll also notice with 30" of tube and a heavy contour like that - you wont need a brake for non magnums. My 28" tube just kinda thuds, doesn't pop up and move around too much - much easier self-spotting than my .308.

Unless it's all for looks, in which case get a 18" barrel and a huge muzzle brake.

[Cypriss32]

That rifle is going to weigh a ton.... Might want to consider DEEP fluting it. I had a M24 barrel 27" with deep flutes on a AICS 1.5 in 30-06. It weighed over 16 pounds with a NSX 5.5-22x scope on it.

If you like AICS stocks why dont you just stock to them?

[CobraRed]

That rifle is going to weigh a ton.... Might want to consider DEEP fluting it. I had a M24 barrel 27" with deep flutes on a AICS 1.5 in 30-06. It weighed over 16 pounds with a NSX 5.5-22x scope on it.

When you took it out of the case and brought it up to the shooting line did you consider just packing up and going home because it was too heavy?

[bsumoba]

What is the downside for you with length? I have a 28" on a long action 700 with the same contour and when it gets replaced I may go 29-30". I really dont notice a disadvantage except maybe for front heaviness.
If you're target shooting and not doing tactical stuff or limited in class by weight it's free FPS. I even use it out in BLM off of rocks and dirt - not really a problem. My stock has two sling studs and I use the furthest one and the balance isn't bad at all.

You'll also notice with 30" of tube and a heavy contour like that - you wont need a brake for non magnums. My 28" tube just kinda thuds, doesn't pop up and move around too much - much easier self-spotting than my .308.

Unless it's all for looks, in which case get a 18" barrel and a huge muzzle brake.

understand. i think its more the weight if i wanted to take it out to say BLM land like you or do small hikes; there is a gun club in Avenal and they have a steel course where you walk through hills and valleys and engage 40-60 targets and I want to be able to somewhat bring this without getting too tired.

30" is the size I am going with today, but if the 50-100 fps wont be a huge help in a 284/7mm slinging 180s out to 1000 yards, then i might go with the 28".

I set my eyes on a straight 284 or the shehane. Have not bought dies and discussed the chambering, but got 6.5x284 lapua brass and a 7mm mandrel so i'll be pre-prepping brass while waiting for my action to come in.

[CobraRed]

BLM land is fine, and I do plenty of hiking - but none with my rifle. My shooting vantages are always near a trail and the targets are what i hike to set-up.

If you want to do small hikes or a walk through course, this rifle will only make it harder on you. That's not a reason to bring it down to 28" though, that would be a reason to being it down to 24" or under.

[Cypriss32]

When you took it out of the case and brought it up to the shooting line did you consider just packing up and going home because it was too heavy?

Seriously...... Your a cool guy huh. You JUST built a rifle in a wood stock and think your a god of shooting. I willing to bet my rifle hiked more, took more hits and shot more rounds then what you have. Lets see, it was set back 1 time after being shot out. I would venture that rifle had about 6500 rounds down it and close to 100 coyotes. That wasnt my main rifle either....... But hey your mr strong man or should I say belly bench rest.

[bsumoba]

That rifle is going to weigh a ton.... Might want to consider DEEP fluting it. I had a M24 barrel 27" with deep flutes on a AICS 1.5 in 30-06. It weighed over 16 pounds with a NSX 5.5-22x scope on it.

If you like AICS stocks why dont you just stock to them?

those are some nice rigs. the fluting looks cool too and im sure that'll shave some weight on my barrel if i did that.

my current 6.5 creedmoor is about 16 pounds with a 26" varmint barrel and based on my weight estimations, this new one is going to weigh in upwards of 20-21 lbs loaded. When my barrel comes in, I'll gauge what this will feel like.

got to start hitting the weights.

The AICS is my first choice and its about a 6 lb stock. The manners is going to weigh around 4-5 pounds, but will also cost A LOT more with the bottom metal, bedding, etc. Im talking about $400-500 more for the manners folder version

[CobraRed]

Seriously...... Your a cool guy huh. You JUST built a rifle in a wood stock and think your a god of shooting. I willing to bet my rifle hiked more, took more hits and shot more rounds then what you have. Lets see, it was set back 1 time after being shot out. I would venture that rifle had about 6500 rounds down it and close to 100 coyotes. That wasnt my main rifle either....... But hey your mr strong man or should I say belly bench rest.

This guy.
I'm just giving you a hard time.
And that wood stock rifle you're talking about is back from 1991 - not exactly a SPS right out of the box.
I never said I was the God of shooting, just that in a target rifle situation I never understood the gripes about barrel weight.

And 6500 rounds, that's a good start.

You might have me on the hiking part, though.

[Cypriss32]

And 6500 rounds, that's a good start.

That's 1 rifle. I own MANY.... Nice try.

[CobraRed]

That's 1 rifle. I own MANY.... Nice try.

..... Wow you're dense.
I know what you meant. I'm trying to convey that no one cares. I have threads on SnipersHide back in 2001 talking about re-barreling my Win M70 in .308 because I shot out the barrel with 7800 rounds.

And no one cares about that either. Which is why I shouldn't be talking about it. Because no one person's opinion is the pinnacle of expertise.

I think heavy rifles/barrels are fine for target shooting. You don't.

I tried giving you a hard time.
Apparently no one messes with you - EVER!

[Cypriss32]

..... Wow you're dense.
I tried giving you a hard time.
Apparently no one messes with you - EVER!

No its just fun to see how people react.

I think heavy rifles/barrels are fine for target shooting. You don't.

No I do, he talked about going to sac valley before. I figured he MIGHT want to shoot the Rifle matches up there that involve positions and off hand. Its something to consider, but if he is going belly bench rest rock on with the truck axle.

[CobraRed]

Werd.

Also, I don't know where Farm Land is but I'll be at Angeles Shooting ranges from 12-5 today on the left "long range" end if you aren't working/want to shoot together.

Im sure we're both less dicks in real life than we seem online.

[Cypriss32]

Werd.

Also, I don't know where Farm Land is but I'll be at Angeles Shooting ranges from 12-5 today on the left "long range" end if you aren't working/want to shoot together.

Im sure we're both less dicks in real life than we seem online.

I like in Fresno......... lol its all fun. Its a little far.

[bsumoba]

I figured he MIGHT want to shoot the Rifle matches up there that involve positions and off hand. Its something to consider, but if he is going belly bench rest rock on with the truck axle.

Vu and Lane pointed me towards some F-class style matches every 2nd weekend at Sac. I plan on doing this as well as NCPPRC's tactical matches with my 6.5. There is one that has an off-hand position COF, but I think I would use my 6.5 creedmoor for that match.

So, this is probably going to be mainly a belly rifle. So...I guess the sledgehammer 30" it is??