least invasive weight loss?

[nonliberal]

I have my Hunter Class 30x44 shooting just how I want it with a new barrel just installed. It is shooting better than any I have shot and I think it will be very competitive if I can do my part ( big IF).

The problem is I didn't think to weigh it since I replaced the barrel with the same length as the last one. Apparently the Hart HBR contour is a little heavier than Rock creek because now the rifle weighs 10.30 lbs. If my math is correct that's 4.8 ounces.

I am already using a light weight 6x scope, single screw Kelbly rings, no weight in the stock, little piece of foam for a butt pad.

I really hate the thought of possibly hurting the best barrel I've ever owned but I don't know what else to do..

What would cause the least problems between, cutting the barrel down (its currently 21.75"), having it fluted, or having the bolt in the action Fluted (its an older Kodiak before fluting was standard).

I could shoot it in VFS but I will be giving up weight, less recoil, and wider stocks to the 30br guys.
Any suggestions?

 

[Al Nyhus]

Kevin, I'd not flute the bolt and sure as heck wouldn't flute a button rifled barrel. HBR rules allow a barrel shank 5" long of 1.250 dia. Depending on mfg, some do the shanks 1.200 and slightly shorter shank length to allow some wiggle room for weight. Another little known fact is that the IBS barrel rules for the 6X classes allow a slightly heavier profile than what NBRSA rules specify. Those of us that compete in both IBS and NBRSA tournaments just use the lighter NBRSA profile to cover both bases.

As for peeling off a few oz., a good non-invasive thing is to mill a couple/few longitudinal ports in the side of the stock fore end as a start. Depending on the stock, you can lose 2-4 oz. pretty quickly doing this. If it's an EDGE HBR stock, this won't be an option, obviously. See attached pic of my LV RFD with these ports for an idea:

Mill a few of ports in the stock, back the muzzle up to give yourself 1-1.5 oz. of wiggle room if you need to and rock on......

Good shootin'. -Al

 

[nonliberal]

Thats a great idea Al!! I might have a chipping issue since its automotive paint and clear coat on the stock, but it will trim weight.
If I had 1.75" taken off the muzzle for an even 20" and recrowned I'm sure it would change the load and harmonics, but has it been known to hurt performance?

 

[David Halblom]

Kevin, I'd not flute the bolt and sure as heck wouldn't flute a button rifled barrel. HBR rules allow a barrel shank 5" long of 1.250 dia. Depending on mfg, some do the shanks 1.200 and slightly shorter shank length to allow some wiggle room for weight. Another little known fact is that the IBS barrel rules for the 6X classes allow a slightly heavier profile than what NBRSA rules specify. Those of us that compete in both IBS and NBRSA tournaments just use the lighter NBRSA profile to cover both bases.

As for peeling off a few oz., a good non-invasive thing is to mill a couple/few longitudinal ports in the side of the stock fore end as a start. Depending on the stock, you can lose 2-4 oz. pretty quickly doing this. If it's an EDGE HBR stock, this won't be an option, obviously. See attached pic of my LV RFD with these ports for an idea:

Mill a few of ports in the stock, back the muzzle up to give yourself 1-1.5 oz. of wiggle room if you need to and rock on......

Good shootin'. -Al

Al , all else is correct but your shank length is too long! The HBR shank rule is only 4", not 5" .

Kevin, I know you don't want to cut the barrel, BUT, if in fact you do have a 5" shank, or longer than 4", you are going to need to cut it anyway. And the will definitely fix your over-weight issue.

David

 

[Pete Wass]

One of the best barrels I ever owned was a Hart that I bought off the internet cut to length with a tenon turned on it but was too heavy. Hart re-contoured the barrel for my Smith for a nominal charge and all was fine. I sold the rifle to a friend and he will tell you the barrel was not harmed, in any way, from the re-contouring.