Standard or Heavy Barrel?

[Johann.B]

Greetings, I'm new to the forum and somewhat new to bolt action rifles. I'm considering the Howa 1500. CDNN has two models that I like, however I find it difficult to chose based on my objectives:

Caliber: .308
Purpose: hunting and long-distance shooting

The Howa 1500 Lightning looks really nice and has a 22" standard #2 contour barrel with Realtree camo stock. The Howa 1500 Varmint has either a 20" or 24" heavy barrel and black synthetic stock. Both actions and barrels are blued. Price difference is $50 so that really isn't an issue. I am curious as to how many folks are using heavy barreled rifles as their carry/hunting rifle? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BigN]

I'm not much of a "hunter," more of a sniper when it comes to shooting. I like to sit on a rock or in a tree stand and shoot way out there. As far as I'm concerned, this type of hunting requires a heavy barrel. They are more accurate and stable, in my opinion and experience, although some have said there is no difference. All my rifles are small, hot centerfires with the exception of a 7 mag that I use for kicks and giggles. The weight isn't a factor. You can walk all day with a gun that weighs five pounds more than the normal hunting rifle, if you choose to. Split with the extra $50, you'll be glad you did.

 

[Johann.B]

Thanks BigN,

I'll probably go with the 24" for added velocity and if I need to I suppose I can have someone cut and crown the barrel. Appreciate your help.

 

[jmr40]

What do you consider long range shooting? The 308 is one of those rounds that does not lose very much velocity from 20" barrels. Out to 400 yards or so I don't think you will ever notice enough difference in any of the barrel lengths to matter. For extreme long ranges you need to squeeze every fps of velocty possible from the round, so 24" or longer barrel will be helpful.

Also consider the weight. The Howa rifles are one of my favorites, but everything being equal they are the heaviest rifle made. That is a plus for target shooting on a bench, but for hunting, a long heavy barrel, on an already heavy rifle will be a pain to carry for any distance. If you are hunting from a stand and only have a short walk then it does not matter. If I only walk 5 miles in a days hunting it is an easy day. 10 miles is more typical and 15 is not unheard of so I prefer a much lighter rifle for most of my hunting.

I'd decide which I plan to do the most,(hunting or target shooting) and purchase the rifle that will be best for my needs.

 

[wnycollector]

I am curious as to how many folks are using heavy barreled rifles as their carry/hunting rifle?

I have the 1500 varmint with the 24" heavy barrel...it is heavy (10lbs w/o scope, 12.5 lbs w/ bipod, scope and base). My rifle will be used to punch paper/hit gongs out to 500 yards 99% of the time so the weight is not a huge deal to me. The rifle is a tack driver though (consistent 1" groups with privi 168gr match HPBT ammo). Once I get my hands on some federal match kings (and eventually reload!) I hope to be in the .6-.7moa range.

If I wanted a howa to walk around the woods with, I would go with the 22" light barrel configuration CDNN sells.

 

[Sav .250]

You carry a "heavy" around all day and you`ll soon find out. Your choice.

 

[G27RR]

If you get the heavy and want to use it for hunting, go with the 20" barrel to save some weight and increase maneuverability.

Also, note that the lighter weight barrel should still be accurate, you would just need to stop and cool it more often when target shooting. So the light barrel is still a viable option.

If you can, consider the heavy barrel 24" for target and then get a Marlin XS7 for about $300 to take hunting, it's lightweight but still has very good accuracy at a great price.

 

[griff383]

I had a 20" heavy barrel on my AR-10 and used it one year to hunt. It was a real joy to shoot at the range but not very practical in the woods. Since THAT rifle has more purpose hunting than target shooting, I changed out the barrel for a lighter 16" one.

Point is you need to decide what you will do more of, but I can tell you this, a heavy rifle will take its toll on you if your humping it around all day.

 

[frankenstein406]

It depends if you plan on walking a lot or sitting in a tree stand all day. If walking get the light, if staying in one place maybe walking get the heavy. That's my opinion, I got a good deal on a light barrel but wouldn't have minded a heavy even tho I do a lot of walking.

 

[451 Detonics]

A heavy barrel heats up slower is about it's biggest advantage. I have found however a properly bedded action with a light contour barrel doesn't walk it's POI very much at all and it also cools quicker. The most accurate rifle I own is a pencil barrel Remington 700 in 22 CHeetah. With over 1500 coyotes to it's credit (mostly out west and at 250yards+) I would say it does a good job.

 

[nathan]

Heavy barrel plus walking makes for a good exercise to boot. Gets the blood warm and heart and lungs pumping good. Overall , a good way to a healthy life in the outdoors. LOL

 

[unwise11]

I have a Howa M-1500 in .308 with the standard 22" barrel, that gun has shot "sub-MOA" from 100-300 yards, and I haven't shot it further, but I'm sure it will do just as good..
If you're going to hunt get the sporter contour, I shoot alot of target with my Howa sporter, and if you let it cool about 1 minute between shots when trying to shoot super tight groups, it will shoot fine..
Target shooting only will be better with a heavy barrel though.

 

[joed]

I've always preferred the heavy barrel myself and most of my rifles show it. Yes, they're heavy, never slowed me down though. And I'm just an average person, not one of the workout guys.

I'm in my 60's now and I've noticed the rifles seem heavier and I don't like to travel as far. But 95% of the time I still carry a heavy barrel rifle.

Probably feel different if I had to climb mountains and such.

 

[shootr]

If primarily hunting, I'd go with the 22" for the weight and the much better handling characteristics. If primarily punching paper and hunting from a blind, maybe the heavy.

A 12+ lb gun in the field is no fun and can be unwieldy depending on terrain. I have a 10 lb rifle and IMO, it's not as handy as a couple others I shoot.

 

[BrocLuno]

If you hunt by ATV or 4x4, it does not matter much what barrel weight is. If you walk, it does.

To me the 20 or 24 inch barrel question would come down to how it comes to shoulder/balances if you are going to do any long distance off-hand standing shots. If everything will be prone or off the bench with a bipod or rest - no cares. If you are shooting long ranges from field positions - balance makes a LOT of difference. That has to be figured out by you?

 

[bpl]

Its a long time until hunting season right now. If I were you, I'd buy a heavy barreled .308 for target shooting now and then save money for a lighter weight hunting rifle in .308 before next hunting season.

 

[Durty]

Heavy barrel. Without question. It heats up slower but at the same time, it takes that much longer to cool. With regards to heating up, I would not say it has an advantage or a disadvantage, necessarily. The two rifles I take out more than any other, a 300 win mag and a 22-250, both have heavy barrels. I take them out for two reasons: 1) accuracy-I never doubt my rifles will do their part. 2) Weight- the heavier the rifle, the more stable it is and the less recoil it has. It's very simple. When I am nervous or breathing heavy, my heavy rifles stay a lot more still than my sporter weight rifles. Personally, I have never understood why so many people are concerned with having their rifles as light as possible... Surely all those people aren't climbing mountains and hiking miles on their average whitetail hunt....

 

[nathan]

Many years ago i went hunting wth a friend and he brought with him his Remington 700 PSS in .308. He shot a small doe with that one while me none at all. I only killed a raccoon at 15 yds away using my Remington 700 .25 06.

 

[Durty]

I killed a coon yesterday Just sitting by a buddy's tank in broad daylight. The 52 gr Sierra going 3850 out of my Rem 700 VLS (22-250) literally gutted him. It was very impressive.

 

[nathan]

I bet it was liken to a small TNT exploding once it impact the critter.

 

[Art Eatman]

I can understand the use of a heavy barrel for long strings at the benchrest, or for long strings of shots at a prairie dog town. Otherwise, I don't see the point.

For instance, my pet '06 has a 26" sporter barrel. I was meddling around on my 500-yard range one day and shot a medium-fast ten-shot group. I called two flyers. (Ya don't wanna know what I called 'em.) The other eight hits were in a six-inch circle. I didn't hurry the shooting, but I didn't do any cooling time between shots. Casual single loading, aim carefully, and shoot.

In the same session, after meddling around with sorta "this and that" shooting, I had eight rounds left of a different load. So, two four-shot groups. Four inches each.

The result of that sort of shooting is that I'm underwhelmed by the idea of a heavy-barrelled rifle for most field use.

 

[Hangingrock]

The Remington 40X that I have has a barrel that looks like an axle shaft of a railroad car. On the other hand my Winchester M70 barrel contour is more graceful. Both rifles are purpose built for different applications target versus hunting. With in reason both rifles have the precision required for their intended applications.