Need opinions on barrel size. Can I go to a lightweight or is a #1 or #2 fluted more realistic. 175's Factory for now, not loading yet, and length? Could use a little advice.

Finding lots of info in archives, chime in if you like but I think i'll go #2 fluted to lose a little weight but probably stay at 24.

quote:

Originally posted by Whitepalm:
Need opinions on barrel size. Can I go to a lightweight or is a #1 or #2 fluted more realistic. 175's Factory for now, not loading yet, and length? Could use a little advice.

I can only say what I would do.....not what's right or best for you....I'd get a Douglas #1 and cut it 22" and go from there. The #1 contour only stretches 22" and that might be a bit short but that really isn't a bad idea. If a 24" is wanted the #2 contour works fine.

1-9" twist is the twist I'd use as well. Forget the fluting on these lighter barrels.
Good Hunting.

why have a 7mm rem mag and only a 22" barrel? If it were me id be choosing a 26" barrel with a number 3 or 4 contour. but thats just me, if you're not going to be shooting any great distance and wanted something lighter then a 24" number 2 contour might be ideal.

A 1-in-9" twist #2-24 inch unfluted or #3-26 inch fluted. Don't go less than 24 inches for a 7mm Rem Mag.

With my 7mm Rem Mag I have a 26" barrel and my 130gr bullets go about 3500 FPS. Great for long
distance.

If I were to rebarrel mine I'd go with 26" and flute a #3 or maybe even #4. The 7mmRM does't get enough of a performance boost for case capacity with a shorter barrel.

If a 22" tube is apealing, look at a .280. Nate

Dan Lilja will not flute a 7mm barrel at less than a #4. I would do a #3 and loose the flutes if I did it again. My is a 1/9 and shoots 140s very well. Should work well with all of the others.

I think a 7 mag is at home in a 24+ barrel. Why do you think you'd like to shoot 175's? 139-140's will do for anything up to dangerous game.
If you like the 7's like I do and want the penatration <sp> of a heavier bullet. How bout a 7 ultra with either TSX's or trophy bonds?

here's my 7mm ultra.

I have a #4 Shilen on mine, 24" long, and here's what it can do:



In fact, I'm glad you brought this up as I was going to start a thread on which bbls people like. Will do that now.

I've had a couple of 7mm Rem Mags and a 7mmSTW.

Always had a 26 inch barrel and at least a #4 contour. I think the ballistics suffer with a shorter barrel and the 26" tube helps "shut them up" as well.

I have found un-fluted barrels to be less fussy than a similar profile fluted.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:
I have a #4 Shilen on mine, 24" long, and here's what it can do:



In fact, I'm glad you brought this up as I was going to start a thread on which bbls people like. Will do that now.

My 26" barrel on my 7mm Rem is a Shilen also. They are very accurate barrels

I had my Ruger 77 barreled with a Shilen CM at 25" in the Ruger contour. It shoots very well.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob1SG:
I had my Ruger 77 barreled with a Shilen CM at 25" in the Ruger contour. It shoots very well.

Interesting, I had my Ruger barreled with a Hart at 25.5" long in the Ruger contour. But mine is SS.

Thanks for the replies, I hadn't checked back in a while. I was hoping to shave some weight off the rifle, but it doesnt sound like a lightweight or something in 22" is worth it. I use 175's for moose and they've proven to work on good size bears when the opportunity has presented itself. I rarely have to shoot out to 300 but would like to be able to if I need to so i'll stay at 24. Thanks for the help, the custom stuff is new to me.