"Regular" Barrel Question

[WJC]

Hello,

Quick question.  My Handi Rifle is a .223 Synthetic with the 22" Barrel.  The Barrel has a slight taper to it so I guess it is not a bull barrel.  Is this correct?  If it is not a Bull Barrel will this make it less accurate or just more prone to heat?  

Thanks.

Wayne

[stimpylu32]

WJC

With out a picture i can not say for sure .

 The bull does have a slight taper but the muzzle will be about the size of a quarter while the standard is about the size of a dime .

They both shoot very well with the right ammo , But the bull does dissipate heat a little better in mine anyhow .

Also ---Welcome to the forum lots of great handi info here  

[quickdtoo]

I think you'll find that most standard contour barrels will measure about .650" at the muzzle, while bull barrels will measure .750" to .800" at the muzzle. I just measured a .270 standard @ .650", and 3 bull barrels at .750"(22-250), .775"(.243) and .800"(.204). I would expect the larger bores to have heavier contours and larger muzzles too, like .44mag, 45-70, etc.

[trotterlg]

The name "bull barrel" is really just a name applied to very heavy barrels, there is really no official defination.  They will heat up slower, and cool down slower than a thin barrel.  They are stiffer so will handle different loads better than thin barrels.  A very stiff barrel will generally shoot different loads and bullet weights better than a light weight barrel, which seem more fickle about the loads they like.  You cannot make two identical rifles, each will be different, so what works for one may be doo-doo in another.  If you have to carry your rifle very far you may like it better if it is a little lighter.  Larry

[Mac11700]

Definitions of BULL BARREL on the Web:

    * A heavier, thicker than normal barrel with little or no taper.
      www.gunshop.com/bbp6.htm

    * A firearm built with an extra thick walled barrel that adds weight to the muzzle and reduces recoil. Used primarily for target shooting or varmint hunting.
      home.swipnet.se/longrange/glossary_of_terms.htm

    * A reference to a gun barrel that is thicker and heavier than standard barrels in that caliber or type of gun. Bull barrels tend to be slightly more accurate and less prone to bending or vibration than standard or lightweight barrels. They are usually found on guns built or modified for enhanced accuracy and or resistance to overheating during repetitive fire.
      savvysurvivor.com/glossary.htm

Bull barrels are barrels that have significantly more mass than more conventional or "sporter" barrels. The purpose of this additional mass is to act as a "heat sink" by absorbing the radiant energy associated with firing. As a rifle is fired, the heat from the propellant gasses is transferred to the barrel. As barrels heat up they are subject to warping. The greater mass of the "bull" barrel allows more energy to be absorbed before barrel warping occurs. The down side, however, is that bull barrels are much heavier than conventional barrels, which precludes their use in common battle rifles, where weight is a limiting factor.http://www.military.com/soldiertech/0,14632,Soldiertech_Rifles,,00.html

 

Just a tid-bit about Bull Barrels.. :wink:

Mac