Help me out with custom barrel build...

[DaddyPaul]

Pretty sure I am going to have MGM build me a 24 inch barrel for my Encore in 243 Winchester.  99% of my hunting is done from tree stands or condo style shooting houses, not much spot and stalk in the SE.  I just can't decide whether to go with a full bull for the utmost stability and accuracy or simply order the heavy taper as a compromise between the factory taper and full bull. 


Anybody have a handle on the weight differences between a FB and HT barrel?  Comments or suggestions welcomed.  Their standard twist for this caliber is 1/10 but I am thinking of going with 1/8 to bring the Bergers into play, would this be too fast to still work with 80 grain Barnes TTSXs?

[3leggedturtle]

With a small bore like 243, you will be able to tell a difference. Have a .38 24" tapered and .256 24" bull and the 38 feels light and balanced compared to the 256 that feels muzzle heavy  and "off balance"  while carrying it.
 

[Ladobe]

Just hunting from a hide the only difference on barrel contour that come to mind would be the longest range you will shoot, and maybe weight if a long hike in to the hide.   But even a sporter weight 243 Win in the right hands can cleaning take deer past 500 yards.   So for hide shooting, contour comes down to personal choice probably.
 
A 1:8 in a .243 barrel is usually for 100gr VLD bullets over 100gr; 1:12 for up to 85gr and 1:10 for up to 120 gr or VLD's under 100 gr.   Why MGM stocks 1:10 I'd guess, to give the most versatility in bullet choice to a wider range of customers.  So what twist you settle on depends on the range of bullets you'll want to shoot in it.
 
 

[Iowa Fox]

I would be inclined to lean toward ther 24" factory taper shooting from a stand or blind. I say that based on Encore barrels that I own.
 
26" heavy taper
lots of 24" factory
22" heavy taper
20" full bull
 
They all have their purpose but if I were heading to a stand or blind in 243 I would pin a 24" factory taper to the frame for the best combination of balance and weight. But thats just me, not as young as I used to be.

[yooper77]

I suggest a 24" factory T/C Encore barrels in 243 Winchester.
 
I have 24" factory T/C Encore barrels in 223 Remington and 338-06 A-Square and I wouldn’t want anything larger in diameter or heavier.

My 13 year old daughter can handle my T/C Encore wearing the 223 Remington barrel with ease in a two person 15’ ladder stand for her past two successful deer youth hunts.

E. Arthur Brown Company has the 243 Winchester in stock with 1:8“rifling twist, and it’s a heavy contour but its 26” long. (See link below)
http://www.eabco.com/InStock.htm
 
yooper77

[Grumulkin]

I would go with the heavy barrel rather than the full bull.  I'd also go with the 1:8 twist.


Also, when you get your barrel, be sure to check the bore, etc. when you get it as MGM has been known to make mistakes.

[DaddyPaul]

I have owned and still own several factory taper barrels and while they shoot well I think the heavier profile aims better.  I'm just not sure on whether I want the heavy taper or the full bull.  I have a very accurate factory .243 barrel right now and if I had any sense I'd spend some cash on some good glass for this one and call it good.

[yooper77]

I have owned and still own several factory taper barrels and while they shoot well I think the heavier profile aims better.  I'm just not sure on whether I want the heavy taper or the full bull.  I have a very accurate factory .243 barrel right now and if I had any sense I'd spend some cash on some good glass for this one and call it good.

I just feel 24" factory tapered barrels carry better and offer well enough metal between the bore and outer diameter.
 
I agree spend the money on a Leupold scope and you will have all you need.
 
yooper77

[DaddyPaul]

I have owned and still own several factory taper barrels and while they shoot well I think the heavier profile aims better.  I'm just not sure on whether I want the heavy taper or the full bull.  I have a very accurate factory .243 barrel right now and if I had any sense I'd spend some cash on some good glass for this one and call it good.

I just feel 24" factory tapered barrels carry better and offer well enough metal between the bore and outer diameter.
 
I agree spend the money on a Leupold scope and you will have all you need.
 
yooper77

Got the barrel in a trade and it has already printed a three shot group just over 0.50" with cheap Win Power Points.  No telling what it is capable of with some load work.  A Swaro would sure look nice sitting on top of her...however I doubt the war department will sign off on that.

[yooper77]

I have owned and still own several factory taper barrels and while they shoot well I think the heavier profile aims better.  I'm just not sure on whether I want the heavy taper or the full bull.  I have a very accurate factory .243 barrel right now and if I had any sense I'd spend some cash on some good glass for this one and call it good.

I just feel 24" factory tapered barrels carry better and offer well enough metal between the bore and outer diameter.
 
I agree spend the money on a Leupold scope and you will have all you need.
 
yooper77

Got the barrel in a trade and it has already printed a three shot group just over 0.50" with cheap Win Power Points.  No telling what it is capable of with some load work.  A Swaro would sure look nice sitting on top of her...however I doubt the war department will sign off on that.

WOW if you have the funds for a Swarovski scope then I strongly suggest keep the money in U.S.A. Have SSKIndustries.com make you a standard 243 Winchester barrel, or maybe Ackley Improved or JDJ version see what they have and top it with a Leupold VX-3 scope of your choice. You can sell your current barrel for some profit if you don't use it.
 
yooper77

[DaddyPaul]

Yooper,
Apparently I forgot the damn smilie again. 

I can assure you I cannot afford a Swaro, can't even afford to look at them on the web.

[yooper77]

Oh OK, I only see them on TV hunts where Swarovski is the sponsor.
 
I am sure they are good optics, but totally far too pricey for me. Plus as stated before I only would buy Leupold scopes which are made in the U.S.A.
 
My 338-06 A-Square rifle barrel was re-bored/re-chambered from a Thompson Center Encore 24" factory tapered 30-06 Springfield stainless steel barrel, buy Classic Barrel and Gun Works in Prescott, Arizona. The barrel wears Leupold dual dovetailed base with Leupold dual dovetailed medium rings, and Leupold Vari-X 3-9x40mm scope. This barrel is so handy on my 1997 T/C Encore blued frame with a thumbhole black synthetic stock and black synthetic forend.
 
This T/C Encore rifle barrel's muzzle outside diameter is larger than the muzzle diameter from my Weatherby Mark V Ultra Lightweight in 338-06 A-Square barrel, so I feel anything larger it just dead weight and not desired or required.

yooper77

[jy951]

The problem with full bull barrels is you have to "customize" the forend.  This isn't too much work if you have a wood forend, but doesn't really allow you to use a plastic one.  I'd go with a factory heavy contour rather than a full bull.