1000 yards target = bull barrel?

[asm_]

For single shot situation such as long range hunting, is bull barrel or heavy barrel always more accurate than the regular barrel? I'm talking about 800 ~ 1200 yards range.

[JDay]

Heavier barrels tend to be more accurate but there are more factors than just the barrel when it comes to accuracy.

[russ69]

For single shot situation such as long range hunting, is bull barrel or heavy barrel always more accurate than the regular barrel? I'm talking about 800 ~ 1200 yards range.

Unless you are hunting men, a 800 yard shot is unethical. However to answer your question, the stiffer the barrel the better. That means short and stout by engineering standards.

[dieselpower]

Unless you are hunting men, a 800 yard shot is unethical. However to answer your question, the stiffer the barrel the better. That means short and stout by engineering standards.

I would disagree with this based on watching long ranged hunting videos. You can search youtube and see professional hunters take Ram and other game from incredible distances. Its all up to your skill level.

There are guys I shoot with who can't hit a 8 inch circle at 100 yards... is it ethical for them to take a 100 yard shot at a deer...knowing the kill zone is the same MOA size?

Yes heavy barrels produce greater accuracy, but there are many factors just as important. If you are trying to minimize those factors, get a heavy bull barrel. When your skill increases, you can taper the profile down.

just did a quick "long ranged hunting" search on youtube and this popped up along with a dozen others. One shot and he feeds his family for months.

[micro911]

Any rifle will deliver the bullet to the target at long range as long as it is a decent caliber. You have to know your rifle, ammo, and your limitations.

[Rbutler]

I believe the bull barrel is more for heat build up over multiple shots. Take 2 quality barrels one in a sporter and one in bull and i dont think there will be much of a difference but if you were to shoot 30-40 rounds youll start seeing the heat and notice the groups open slightly at 1-200 yards.

[Anti-Hero]

I believe the bull barrel is more for heat build up over multiple shots. Take 2 quality barrels one in a sporter and one in bull and i dont think there will be much of a difference but if you were to shoot 30-40 rounds youll start seeing the heat and notice the groups open slightly at 1-200 yards.

Read up on barrel harmonics.

[asm_]

Thanks for all the input.

I won't necessary be doing 800 yard hunting any time soon. However, I'm in the market for a new bolt action rifle. What I have in mind is a 7mm Mag. Please try not to convince me to 308 or anything else. I already did the research and I like the ballistic data I see in 7mm Mag.

Now the only question left in the decision making process is weather or not I should go with a standard barrel or bull barrel. Needless to say, since the this gun won't be strictly a range gun, many store clerks advise me go with a standard barrel due the additional weight associated with bull barrel. To some extend, I agree with them. Carrying extra 4 lb of barrel on your back hiking up and down the mountain could get old real soon. But, before I making the decision, I want to find out if bull barrels are always more accurate than standard barrel. Specifically in a one shot situation. If so, I think I can convince my self to carry extra 4 lb if it mean actually able to take a game home at the end of the day.

B

[Fjold]

Read up on barrel harmonics.

Every barrel is affected by barrel harmonics but it is usually less noticeable in a thicker barrel. As long as the harmonics are consistent, then lightweight barrel should be consistent for the first shot or two.