Barrel weights

macguru · Post by **macguru** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 3:28 am

Why do people want such heavy barrels on a light recoiling rifle ?

"I just ordered a 1.275" parallel 6mm barrel for a Dasher which comes in at 4.85kg"

MCLE · Post by **MCLE** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 4:36 am

With the Barrels for my 308 for FTR I would probably be shooting heavier projectiles so a heavier Barrel might help with the recoil.Altho l suspect I may have to go down in Barrel profile to get in under the 8.25 KG.I have a Number 7 profile ?? I think in my Dashers and the rifles come in at 8.1KG.As they just sit there Very little recoil so perfect for other members of the family to shoot.

Post by **AlanF** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 7:10 am

macguru wrote:Why do people want such heavy barrels on a light recoiling rifle ?

"I just ordered a 1.275" parallel 6mm barrel for a Dasher which comes in at 4.85kg"

Andrew,

I think its a case of the heavier the better regardless of calibre. It would be more about improving behaviour laterally than reducing backward force. In BR heavy gun, 6 Dashers are very popular, and they don't build them any lighter than for 300 magnums.

Alan

Barry Davies · Post by **Barry Davies** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 7:26 am

Hi Mike,
That is chambered ( 308 of course )

bully_eye · Post by **bully_eye** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 7:33 am

Basically because I want to Andrew...in the end why not provided it doesn't upset then balance. Certainly not about recoil management. All my barrels to date have been NBRSA HV profile as I was hoping to scrape in to light gun class for Fly Shoots...well I've never made it to a Fly yet but my rifle is way below the F Open 10kg limit-why give other competitors any more advantage? That will change in a few months. In the meantime I'll 'struggle' with a just over 17lb rifle. :wink:

Michael

bsouthernau · Post by **bsouthernau** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 8:42 am

MCLE wrote:With the Barrels for my 308 for FTR I would probably be shooting heavier projectiles so a heavier Barrel might help with the recoil.

I don't think you'll find recoil a problem as the heavier projectiles deliver a more drawn out shove compared to the quick whack of the 155s. If you're coming to Rosedale next month you could have a few shots with my rifle - left handed unfortunately but might be ok with the cheek piece out.

Barry

macguru · Post by **macguru** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 2:24 pm

"Basically because I want to Andrew"

fair enough, i just wonder what other stresses it puts on the action and bedding, but plenty of people do it so it must be ok. I would probably want a metal bedding block next time i set up a heavy rifle (say a 7mm) and some way to weight the stock to reduce the torque. Actually i may try a metal stock as well so there is no wood and bolt on a couple of weights to counteract the torque.... But my dasher with its laminate, bedding compound & barrel tapered to 1" is just fine....

Andrew

Post by **AlanF** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 3:37 pm

There is another advantage to heavier barrels Andrew, being less susceptible to heat effects. Even with a Dasher, after a long fast shoot on a warm day, this could come into play (especially with ETs with no delay

).

Alan

bully_eye · Post by **bully_eye** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 4:03 pm

Andrew, my Python action is designed for barrels with a MINIMUM shank diameter of 1.250". All my barrels to date have been less than so they have had an adapter fitted- just the way the gun plumber did it.
I'm now cheating on the gunsmith who originally built the rifle as a)I'm a bit tired of the 12 month+ wait for anything and b)he doesn't have a Dasher reamer and I don't fancy buying one. He did tell me that there would be no issue with a heavy and long cylinder the way it is currently set up.

Michael

macguru · Post by **macguru** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 7:27 pm

Some good Dasher reading here :

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/tag/6mm-dasher/

MCLE · Post by **MCLE** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 7:37 pm

Thanks bsouthernau with luck we will be at the Rosedale Comp and catch up..Having a heavy barrel might reduce the felt recoil a little but that's not the main reason a heavier profile barrel as has been stated might not heat up as quick.But as my 12 yo son is verry keen on FTR a heavier barrel or at least as heavy as we can can't hurt we will see l suppose.
Michael H

bsouthernau · Post by **bsouthernau** » Sat Feb 15, 2014 6:26 pm

MCLE wrote:But as my 12 yo son is verry keen on FTR a heavier barrel or at least as heavy as we can can't hurt we will see l suppose.
Michael H

You know him and I don't - is he a strapping lad like Liam? Has he been shooting the 6mm a bit? My thought would be to get him comfortable with shooting that off a pedestal rest before moving to heavy .308 projectiles and a bipod. Of course an F/TR rifle doesn't HAVE to be a .308 - you could make him up 5.56.

Just as an afterthought - is he right or left handed?

Barry

Barry Davies · Post by **Barry Davies** » Sat Feb 15, 2014 7:05 pm

That 12 yo IS Liam. ( nearly 13 )

MCLE · Post by **MCLE** » Sat Feb 15, 2014 8:33 pm

Hi sorry bsouthernau I was talking about Liam Barry Davies is right he is 13 in a cople of months.He has shot off a Bipod (Davies ) for a while as we haven't had a Coaxial Benchrest for all that long..Having a barrel as heavy as we can and staying under the 8.25 KG might have lots of advantages and felt recoil might be one but it's not the main reason as he seems to cope with it.From what l have been reading 32 and 33 inch barrels seem to get a bit of a run in Europe I suppose to get the extra push thanks for the help..Its one steep learning process.
Michael H

bsouthernau · Post by **bsouthernau** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 9:06 am

Struth!! I would've put him about 16 - made an idiot of myself yet again.