Bartlein Barrel - SS, .308 Cal, B#9 Heavy Varmint, 10 twist, 29'' blank, 5R

When it comes to Bartlein Barrels, the choice of contour for your barrel is a critical factor affecting its performance. Let's delve into the details and explore the impact of contours on barrel weight and shooting accuracy.

Contour's Influence on Barrel Weight

Yes, contours do affect barrel weight. Heavier contours can offer advantages over lighter ones, especially when it comes to shooting performance. The weight of the barrel can significantly influence how you handle recoil and manage fatigue during extended shooting sessions.

Imagine a scenario where a barrel, plagued by residual stress (common in button-made barrels), heats up during continuous firing without scope/sight adjustments. In such cases, you may notice groups or shots wandering on the target. This is where a heavier contour barrel shines; it helps resist barrel movement and wandering as it heats up, resulting in more consistent accuracy.

At Bartlein Barrels, we pride ourselves on utilizing single-point cut rifling, a process that eliminates stress induction into the barrel blank. This distinction means that the contour's impact on performance is not as significant as it would be for barrels produced through button rifling.

Contour's Influence on Shooting

Indeed, contour plays a role in how a barrel shoots. Heavier guns with thicker barrels tend to perform better due to the added weight, which aids in recoil management and reduces shooter fatigue. This added weight allows you to fire more rounds comfortably over an extended duration.

However, it's essential to note that lighter-weight contours can perform equally well or even outperform heavier ones in certain situations. The critical factor is the balance between weight and other aspects of barrel construction and rifling.

Suppressors and Barrel Contour

Should suppressors be mounted on any barrel contour indiscriminately? No, they shouldn't. Using a suppressor on a heavier barrel often results in improved performance. The reason lies in the harmonic vibrations of the barrel. Hanging a suppressor, a heavy object, at the end of the barrel can positively affect these vibrations. We recommend using suppressors on barrels with at least a medium palma contour for optimal results.

Advantages of Single Point Cut Rifling

Single point cut rifling, the hallmark of Bartlein Barrels, offers significant advantages over button rifling. Lighter-weight contours that undergo button rifling experience increased stress on the blank. As the contour size decreases, it can negatively impact bore sizes, causing them to change and open up. Unfortunately, once this occurs, it's impossible to reduce the bore size. This problem is nonexistent with single point cut rifling, ensuring consistency and precision throughout the barrel.

Similarly, when threading the muzzle of the barrel for muzzle brakes or suppressor attachments, button rifled barrels often face issues with bore opening up at the muzzle's crown edge, adversely affecting accuracy. Single point cut rifling eliminates such concerns.

Significance of Fluting

Fluting a barrel serves several vital purposes:

Weight Reduction

Fluting removes material from the barrel without altering the contour, effectively reducing weight while maintaining structural integrity.

Barrel Cooling

Fluting increases the surface area of the barrel, facilitating better heat dissipation. This feature helps in preventing overheating during extended shooting sessions.

Aesthetic Appeal

Fluting adds a unique and visually appealing touch to the barrel, making it a favorite among our customers for its distinctive look.

Fluting Depth and Barrel Stiffness

While fluting offers numerous advantages, it's important to avoid excessively deep fluting. Overly deep fluting can lead to harmonic and vibration issues, affecting accuracy. If you cannot add fluting to your chosen