Savage Scout Grendel

[tango29]

What contour are people using for a bolt action barrel for a grendel build.
What barrel length is being use for bolt action builds.
I am in the process of looking at Brux, Bartlien, or Kriger barrels.

[FW Conch]

Mine is a Varmit Conture, 26".

But You said "Scout", so it sounds like you intend to do different shooting than me ?

[kmon]

I went with 22 inches of barrel, but barrel length is a personal choice. The Grendel will work well with lots of barrel lengths 12.5 to 27 inches.

[ricsmall]

I'd personally go with a 20", heavy sporter contour. Bartlein all the way. They are more consistent than any other pipe on the market. Google top benchrest, prs, or any organized matches, and I think bartlein is at the top.

Richard

[tango29]

I bought the savage scout for the action. I am going to have it rebar reel with a bartlein [my prefered] or a kreiger and a mcmillan A5 stock. What is the preferred countour

[JASmith]

While I don't have an opinion on the prefered contour, I can offer a question or so that might help you decide.

• Do you plan to shoot only on the bench with it?
• do you plan to walk it over long distances in hot, humdi conditions or high altitude where fatigue will be a serious issue?
  
• Are you looking for a balance beyween accuracy and comfortable carry?

Your answers will help decide between a bull barrel, light varmint, heavy sporter, and a light sporter contour.

Assuming you plan to hunt with the rifle, can you get by with less than optimal accuracy? If so, the lightest barrel might be preferred.

But, hey, it's a Savage! You can swap the first barrel for a fresh one and sell the first.

[tango29]

While I don't have an opinion on the prefered contour, I can offer a question or so that might help you decide.

• Do you plan to shoot only on the bench with it?
• do you plan to walk it over long distances in hot, humdi conditions or high altitude where fatigue will be a serious issue?
  
• Are you looking for a balance beyween accuracy and comfortable carry?

Your answers will help decide between a bull barrel, light varmint, heavy sporter, and a light sporter contour.

Assuming you plan to hunt with the rifle, can you get by with less than optimal accuracy? If so, the lightest barrel might be preferred.


But, hey, it's a Savage! You can swap the first barrel for a fresh one and sell the first.

I plan on shooting from the bench as well as hunting in New Mexico mountains for elk

[FW Conch]

JMHO ... Get 2 barrels! :-)

[JASmith]

It sounds like your first question might be to decide on barrel length. While a lot of folks have excellent success with 16 to 18 inch barrels, there are times when a longer barrel can be useful. So these questions might help:

• What is the longest range you expect to take an elk?
  
• What bullet do you plan to use?
  

Lead core bullets weighing 130 grains have been used to harvest elk and, I think, the 123gr SST as well. Better choices might include: a bonded bullet weighing at least 130 grains, the 125 gr Nosler Partition, or any mono-metal expanding bullet weighing more than 95 - 100 grains.

The bullet will need to strike the animal at or above the threshold velocity for reliable expansion. That velocity can be as low as 1400 - 1600 fps to as high as 2100 - 2200 fps depending on the bullet design.

So, check to see what barrel length you might need to get that threshold velocity for your first choice of bullet at your longest range. If the result is an uncomfortably long barrel, then look at a different bullet.

You can return to the question of contour after the preferred barrel length is established.