I'm putting together a .338 Win Mag on a 98 Mauser and cant make up my mind on the Shilen contour.
I want to finish the barrel out at 24 inches and the number 3 will be.625 at the muzzle. If I got with the number 4 it finishes .650 at 26 inches so if I cut it back to 24 it will be a little larger. Also, halfway on the number 3 the diameter is .800 and halfway on the number 4 is .875. Its like the number 3 is too light an the number 4 is too heavy. My Rem. 700 factory barrel in .338 is almost right in the middle and almost perfect for weight. Has anyone got one built in these contours and which one do you like the best. I am not trying to build the lightest rifle I can but if I'm going to carry 9.5 lbs. I'd just as soon carry a .375.
I have a 9.3 with almost identical contour of the number 3 but it seems a little light for a .338. But the one I'm building will have a quarter rib and banded front sight that will add a little weight too. What to do, what to do???
Pics would help too if you have any.
Thanks

Of the two stock Shilen contours I'd go No. 3 for a Mauser build. Since you like the Rem magnum contour have you asked Shilen if they will duplicate that for you?

Are you absolutely tied to Shilen? There's lots of other manufacture with contours that fall in-between the No. 3 & 4 from Shilen.

My 338 Win Mag is on a Mark X with the original Rimrock stock. No.3 Shilen 25 inches long. 2x7 Leupold in Warne steel mounts.

8 pounds 10 ounces, just weighed it.

It would be 1/2 pound lighter without the heavy Kick Eez pad!

I will take a photo later and post.

Thanks David and Wood.
I am sort of staying with the Shilen because I can easily get a quarter rib to fit the contour from Midway. With the info from WoodHunter, I will probably go with the number 3. That's about the weight I am looking for and that is where I was leaning. Mine might weight out a little heavier with a Walnut stock and heavier scope, so I imagine a number 4 contour would be too heavy for my liking.
Thank you gentlemen.

Recoil is not really an issue with the 338 Win Mag, a 7.5lb rifle is fine for that calibre. Accuracy for hunting will be fine with the lighter Shilen barrel, the heavier one will only give a benefit after 4 or 5 shots, because it will take longer to heat up, and that will probably never make a difference in hunting situations. So if it were up to me I would go with the number 3 profile. I am sure you will be happy with that.

Id go with a no. 3 (Douglas contour)..I like Lothar Walthar barrels best and they are about the same with about a .600 crown..I suggest a 24 to 26 inch barrel..I like the 24 in a .338 but a good compromise is always a 25 inch, so take your pick..I stick to the longer barrels as the .338 Win. ballistics aren't earth moving so the longer tubes makes up for some of that..That said, its my all time favorite caliber for anything up to Buffalo and its worked pretty darn good on them on occasion.