Author Topic: 21 inch tapered VS. 23 inch bull barrel ;pro's & con's (Read 3133 times)

PLAN B · « **on:** September 17, 2011, 08:49:53 PM »

I'm trying to decide which way to go 21inch tapered or 23inch bull.Tell me what you think.

Gdbyrd · « **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2011, 08:53:44 PM »

What are you gonna use the rifle for? Personally I like heavy guns. Even if I have to do a lot of walking I look at it as extra exercise. If it's gonna be a walking/hiking gun though, most people would prefer a taper. A full bull would be good for a blind/bench gun.

For balance I can't say. All my encores are pistols so I don't know how a bull would balance..imagine you'd need a pretty solid stock.

Bullseye · « **Reply #2 on:** September 18, 2011, 08:23:36 AM »

Thats a tough question, a lot of personal preference. Mine is this. I have a 22 Hornet 21" tapered barrel and a 22 lr and 223 23" bull barrel. In that caliber i prefer the 21" tapered, the 23" bulls are just to heavy, in my opion.

I also have a 23" bull 41 mag barrel. While I do not not have a 41 mag tapered barrel to compare it to, I like this caliber in the bull barrel since it is still pretty light with a .41 hole through it.

PLAN B · « **Reply #3 on:** September 18, 2011, 07:06:34 PM »

The barrel will be in .223 on an older contender and will be used for varmit hunting.Thank you for your help and suggestions.

pastorp · « **Reply #4 on:** September 18, 2011, 07:54:09 PM »

On the contender frame I like a 23" bull barrel.

I like the balance... And the slightly weight forward feel of the gun. With a synthetic stock and a 40mm scope its still not too heavy. But hangs in there for good offhand shooting.

Regards,

Antietamgw · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2011, 06:47:37 AM »

Quote from: pastorp on September 18, 2011, 07:54:09 PM

On the contender frame I like a 23" bull barrel. I like the balance... And the slightly weight forward feel of the gun. With a synthetic stock and a 40mm scope its still not too heavy. But hangs in there for good offhand shooting.

Regards,

+1
Bet it barely breaks 7 lbs set up like that. My early Contender is set up with synthetic and 32mm compact scopes. Handles like a dream and just enough muzzle weight to hang right for field shooting.

Camp Cook · « **Reply #6 on:** October 01, 2011, 03:13:24 AM »

Quote from: PLAN B on September 18, 2011, 07:06:34 PM

The barrel will be in .223 on an older contender and will be used for varmit hunting.Thank you for your help and suggestions.

My go to coyote barrel for my Contender carbine is a 21" s/s factory tapered in 223 loaded with 40gr V-Max it is an fun/light extremely accurate 1 1/2" 3 shot 300 yard group coyote killer.

I had a 23" blued bull 204 Ruger barrel it was also crazy accurate and far flatter trajectory then my 223 but I just sold it because I found the barrel to front heavy I thought about shortening/fluting it but decided to get rid of it instead.

So my vote is go for a factory taper...

Shot this little guy with a 40gr V-Max at 40 yards it had come in to my mouth call from appr 600 yards away.

Grumulkin · « **Reply #7 on:** October 02, 2011, 03:13:27 AM »

My 204 Ruger with a heavy 23 inch barrel is quite accurate. The crow was taken at a bit over 300 yards.

I also have a 21 inch. tapered barrel for my Contender. I'm happy with either but like the 23 inch heavy barrel the best.

Doc T · « **Reply #8 on:** October 03, 2011, 04:33:54 AM »

Take the 23" barrel and have it cut down to 20". You would not believe how much better it feels. My gunsmith charges $25.

Doc T

Jerry J · « **Reply #9 on:** October 07, 2011, 02:45:18 AM »

Camp Cook,
What scope do you have on your 223? Looks pretty compact. Thanks

Camp Cook · « **Reply #10 on:** October 07, 2011, 03:49:08 AM »

The scope is a Burris Short Mag 3-9X with a Ballistic Plex reticle has 3 extra dots on the bottom post.

Works ok but the glass could be better I have gotten glare when I feel I shouldn't have...

Two Bears · « **Reply #11 on:** October 22, 2011, 04:36:41 AM »

Here is my .02....Leave the skirt at home and get the bull barrel.

atitagain · « **Reply #12 on:** November 27, 2011, 08:48:59 AM »

Well, I have been reading about guns for about 45 years, and shooting them for about 35 years.
Many people will say that for the first 3-4 shots, the tapered barrel and bull barrel will shoot the same.
Personally, I strongly prefer the bull barrel. In more cases then known to the average shooter, the barrel vibrates as the bullet travels down it. The less it vibrates, the more accurate the barrel. The heavier the barrel, the less it vibrates.

muslmutt · « **Reply #13 on:** November 27, 2011, 01:40:21 PM »

I had a 23 inch 221 Fireball barrel cut down to about 18 inches and am quite fond of it. That 221 barrel is impressively accurate I also have a 21 inch tapered 7 x 30 Waters barrel that makes a really nice little rifle for long walks. Really I don't think you can go wrong with either. I think if I thought I might shoot frequently enough to heat up the barrel I would get the heavy barrel, otherwise I would go for the best deal or what I thought looked good.

Iowa Fox · « **Reply #14 on:** November 27, 2011, 04:04:59 PM »

muslmutt, What powder are you using in the 221 barrel?

At my age the 21" tappered barrels are begining to feel much nicer if any amount of walking is involved.

Ladobe · « **Reply #15 on:** November 28, 2011, 07:49:06 AM »

Quote from: PLAN B on September 17, 2011, 08:49:53 PM

I'm trying to decide which way to go 21inch tapered or 23inch bull.Tell me what you think.

Quote from: PLAN B on September 18, 2011, 07:06:34 PM

The barrel will be in .223 on an older contender and will be used for varmit hunting.Thank you for your help and suggestions.

IMO the OP didn't give enough information to offer him a valid assessment. Only given is the choice between two standard Contender factory barrels. No shooting style or method was given (jump shooting offhand, using a handy "lean" spot and stalk, from a bench, a stand, etc).

"Varmint" doesn't say enough either as it doesn't give any idea of what the OP considers a varmint. To me there is a big difference between varmints and predators, the methods most often used and the ranges shot for each of them. Which adds that there is no mention of at what ranges most shots will be taken. Will he be shooting factory ammo or tuned handloads?

IOW, my choice for which barrel I'd consider the best would depend on all of the above factors. While either factory barrel could suffice good enough in a pinch in most situations maybe, one would be better than the other in some specific circumstances. I'm not really splitting hairs or over analyzing here... but in some scenarios the choice could make a difference between consistent success or failure.

All that aside (that most probably see as hogwash anyway), if I had to pick one of the OP's choices I'd opt for the 21" for general use (except for long range small varmints and predators). But a custom 20" bull with tuned handloads would be my first choice for every situation. Good balance and barrel harmonics, easy carry, easy to use in tight cover, etc; and the 223 will be capable of some impressive ranges in that barrel for very small targets.

FWIW-YMMV

L.

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #16 on:** November 28, 2011, 08:11:40 AM »

I'd go with the bull barrel, especially if you can get a 21" one. I have 23" bull .17 HMR and ,204 Ruger barrels and they are not too heavy. I had a .204 barrel for my Encore and that was too heavy for me. Actually the Contender and Encore barrels were equally accurate but I preferred the Contender because of it's lighter weight.
For the ultimate light weight walking rifle, I prefer my older Contender frame with a 16 1/4" .223 barrel. I had been looking for a .22 Hornet barrel when this one came up and I traded for it. I have been using a light load with a 45 gr. Hornady V-max bullet over 9.0 gr. of Blue Dot. It can shoot 3/4" 100 yd. groups and is very effective on woodchucks. During deer season when I am feeling lazy I put a .35 Rem. barrel on for the ultimate light weight deer rifle.

Camp Cook · « **Reply #17 on:** November 28, 2011, 01:52:41 PM »

Let me clarify I don't like bull barrels due to how heavy they are I don't like them due to how they throw the balance off when attached onto the light weight Contender frame and it just doesn't make sense too me to have a small light weight frame/carbine then stuff a long heavy barrel onto it.

I'll take a 21" tapered barrel any time with 375 cal and smaller cartridges only time I go with a bull barrel now is when they are chambered in 45 Colt or 45-70...

I pack 8.5lbs - 10lbs bolt action/lever/semi-auto rifles and have no issues with the weights of these guns = Contenders in my mind should be max 6.5lbs - 7lbs can't do that with a long heavy bull barrel sticking out the front...

muslmutt · « **Reply #18 on:** December 02, 2011, 02:04:03 AM »

Iowa Fox,
I am using 17.3 grains of IMR 4198 and a 50 grain Hornady SPSX. I was really impressed with the accuracy I got out of this rifle. I think it may be the 2nd most acurate rifle I own right behind my Remington 700 BDL in 222 rem.

fordisto · « **Reply #19 on:** December 02, 2011, 04:08:53 AM »

I got the best of both worlds. I ordered a 23" tapered barrel from the custom shop. 7-30 waters. Shoots and handles great.

Iowa Fox · « **Reply #20 on:** December 02, 2011, 07:36:13 AM »

Quote from: muslmutt on December 02, 2011, 02:04:03 AM

Iowa Fox,
I am using 17.3 grains of IMR 4198 and a 50 grain Hornady SPSX. I was really impressed with the accuracy I got out of this rifle. I think it may be the 2nd most acurate rifle I own right behind my Remington 700 BDL in 222 rem.

Thank You sir

Camp Cook · « **Reply #21 on:** December 06, 2011, 04:09:29 AM »

Just broke down and bought another Contender carbine barrel = T/C NIB 23" s/s bull in 6.8SPC...

Being in Canada I am limited to who I can buy from so even though I did not want a bull barrel and would have totally preferred a factory taper it is all I can get at this time wanting a barrel chambered in 6.8SPC was more important to me it is a great little dual purpose cartridge loaded with 95gr TTSX @ 2900fps -2950fps.

I have an 18.6" barreled RA XCR-L in 6.8SPC now so I'm already set up for loading the round.

and who knows once I get it I may like it the way it is or I maybe given time I'll get the barrel shortened/fluted to reduce the forward heavy weight.

Dalgo · « **Reply #22 on:** December 08, 2011, 07:19:01 AM »

Hi guys, I kinda side w/ Ladobe. Balance for me is everything. My deer go-to gun, inspite of the fact that I have several verrry expensive guns that fill that niche, is an Encore w/a 24" tapered barrel in 7mm-08. Because it is BALANCED. Feels best as a walk-about or stand gun. I believe that the Contender, in .223, with a 20 (or 21) inch bull barrel is very balanced, and as Ladobe mentioned, the harmonics are such that vibration is low. For me, that would be ideal as a walk-about, sit over sticks set-up.

JMO, FWIW

Pierre

Dalgo · « **Reply #23 on:** December 08, 2011, 07:20:33 AM »

Hi guys, I kinda side w/ Ladobe. Balance for me is everything. My deer go-to gun, inspite of the fact that I have several verrry expensive guns that fill that niche, is an Encore w/a 24" tapered barrel in 7mm-08. Because it is BALANCED. Feels best as a walk-about or stand gun. I believe that the Contender, in .223, with a 20 (or 21) inch bull barrel is very balanced, and as Ladobe mentioned, the harmonics are such that vibration is low. For me, that would be ideal as a walk-about, sit over sticks set-up.

JMO, FWIW

Pierre

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 10, 2011, 07:32:58 AM »

I have a 23" bull in 221 Fireball. A little heavy, but not bad. I consider it a walk around gun as it is the lightest of my varmint (woodchuck) rifles. It is as accurate as needed for a walk around gun with in it's range which is 250 or so yards.

I have 3 221 long guns and the best overall powder is RL 7. I get around 3000 fps with 50 grain bullets. I am going to do some experimenting with 45 grain Hornady Hornet bullets in the Contender barrel next spring.

Here is a picture of my Contender with the 221 FB barrel and a victim

Good Luck and Good Shooting

Camp Cook · « **Reply #25 on:** December 23, 2011, 08:07:50 PM »

My new 23" 6.8SPC s/s bull barrel arrived today I have it mounted in my new s/s G2 frame.

Definately barrel heavy going to try it out late Christmas morning.

I'm already thinking of spending more money on this barrel by having it shortened 2" to 21" and fluted just to get the barrel heavy weight down to what a light weight Contender carbine should weigh.