M24 barrel contour

[Jessesky]

I’ve wondered this for a long time: Why is the M24 contour so heavy? For a scout sniper this seems incredibly heavy to me. Why would we choose this when there are Palma countours or varmint contours available? Both tapers are still heavy enough to help with recoil and stability, and have a lot of mass to help when the barrel gets hot. Anyone have some insight as to why we made this choice?

 

[Varminterror]

Because it settles BEAUTIFULLY on improvised field supports.

At least that is why I have M24’s on my primary match rifle. I have Heavy Palma’s on my back up now, still wish I had a little more weight to settle in on field rests.

 

[caribou]

I thought you were referring to my M-24 Finnish Mosin the “Lotta” model with a fatter SIG barrel, and a stepped muzzle end to accept a bayonet......

 

[entropy]

The M24 is designed more for static position overwatch rifle than as a scout/sniper rifle. It is used as such when the range doesn't require a large caliber (.50BMG, .338 Lapua) rifle.

 

[joed]

The weight helps to balance the rifle better and as said above it works very well from a rest. I've shot and used heavy barrel rifles for 40 years of varmint hunting. The heavy barrel is at it's best when shot from a position where you are stationary.

 

[FL-NC]

While the M24 is a great shooting rifle, most of the characteristics of it involve the thinking at the time (1980's): heavy 24" barrel, a fixed 10X scope, fixed internal mag, long action for short action caliber, no provision for suppressors or brakes, no viable method (at the time) for night vision.

 

[Varminterror]

For reference, a Heavy Palma barrel, 26” finished and threaded, chambered in 6 creed weighs 5.4lbs, while an M24 barrel, 26” finished and threaded, chambered in 6 Dasher weighs 6.0lbs.

Considering a field weight on the M24 of 16lbs, a half pound difference really isn’t terribly substantial for carry, while it DOES significantly influence the balance point of the rifle and recoil for spotting impacts and keeping view of the target.

 

[FL-NC]

For reference, a Heavy Palma barrel, 26” finished and threaded, chambered in 6 creed weighs 5.4lbs, while an M24 barrel, 26” finished and threaded, chambered in 6 Dasher weighs 6.0lbs.

Considering a field weight on the M24 of 16lbs, a half pound difference really isn’t terribly substantial for carry, while it DOES significantly influence the balance point of the rifle and recoil for spotting impacts and keeping view of the target.

M24 barrels are 24" 7.62. The 16 lb weight is the SWS with standard scope mounted and 5 rounds. As these things were improved, the weight penalty increased.

 

[Varminterror]

M24 barrels are 24" 7.62.

And Palma rifles are 30” 308win single shots...

But the barrels sitting on my shelf which I weighed for comparison are not (pictured below between the barreled actions), which is why I offered the lengths and chamberings such nobody got their panties in a bunch that my barrels didn’t match up with mil-spec documents. The OP was talking about contour weight, so I offered evidence to compare the two contours.

You can do the math on the difference between a 6mm and 30cal bore, and between a 26” barrel vs. 24”. If we’re splitting those particular hairs: The shorter they get, the less difference there will be between a Heavy Palma and M24 contour, as the HP is heavier at the rear, lighter at the front, and the M24 larger diameter at the muzzle, so cutting off those 2” cuts more weight from an M24 than from a Heavy Palma.

Even if they have the current M24’s down to 12lbs, I doubt many fighting men, yourself included, focus their complaints around a half pound of barrel contour for how much gear they carry. It’s a heavy rifle to haul, regardless of whether it has a HP or M24 contour barrel.

 

[EO1]

M24 what ??
Obviously not mauser.

 

[Nature Boy]

I always refer back to this diagram as it’s simple and it gives a good comparison between the contours I’m usually interested in. It is by no means comprehensive

 

[Varminterror]

@Nature Boy - I stole that one a few years ago from PRB too, as it’s a very handy reference.

The downside is the fact it’s so inconsistent for length. It shows the HP as .3lbs heavier than M24, but it’s showing 4” more barrel too. The rest of that article showed the lengths guys were actually using, and nobody was using 30” HP’s. A guy can look at the dimensions and tell an M24 would be heavier for the same length, but they have about a lot of extra barrel in their weight. Figure steel at .291lb/ci, 4” of .91” average diameter HP barrel at the muzzle, less a 6mm bore is .7lbs. So for 26”, they’d show 5.8lbs for the blank. My scale showed 5.4lbs after truing the breechface, chambering, and threading both ends. My M24 is 6.0, to the 6.2 on the page - a little closer to what I’d expect for chamber and thread both ends - so ‘purty’ dang close on both.

 

[RussellC]

Why the "Long action" but "Short action" caliber? I've got a lot to learn about .308! (which I intend to flesh out before I invest significant cash in a nice one). For right now, Savage 12FV is my learner.

Russellc

 

[entropy]

M24 what ??
Obviously not mauser.

M24 SWS Sniper Weapon System. The Remington 700 as used by the US military.

 

[Varminterror]

Why the "Long action" but "Short action" caliber? I've got a lot to learn about .308! (which I intend to flesh out before I invest significant cash in a nice one). For right now, Savage 12FV is my learner.

Russellc

In theory more than practice, as I understand it at least, to allow them to be rebarreled to 300wm for longer range deployments.

 

[RussellC]

OK,makes sense. Dont think I will be doing that any time soon! .308 will do it for the time being.

Russellc