Bull Barrel vs. Standard Barrel

[sparkysteve]

I'm sold on buying a new Handi-Rifle with the gift card my wife got me for Christmas.  However, I can't choose between the standard or bull barrels.  I want a .223 and plan on ordering the Huntsman barrel.  I'd like stainless especialy for the ML, but they don't offer the .223 bull in stainless.  Any of you have both the standard and bull barrels?  How much difference in accuracy should I expect between the two.  I know that NEF's standard barrels are already fairly beefy, which has me leaning toward stainless.  I'll be using the gun for plinking, woodchucks, coyotes, and a very occasional prarie dog hunt.  I'm not too concerned abut barrel heating.  I take my time shooting and switch guns often when shooting alot.  Any input would be great.  

[myarmor]

If it comes down to it, only only one choice...I pick my Bull Barreled 223. I love both Standard and Bull Barrel, and both shoot great. But the feel and balance of a 24" BB in a Handi is a nice thing, not to mention it shoot's a hair better then it's little brother
 NEF/H&R barrels are usually thicker than most other manufactures barrels, and are often misquoted as being BB in Ads when they are actually just a Standard.
Any particular reason for stainless?
 I like stainless too, but with my 22" Standard blued barrel, I just cleaned it real good and used Kryon black semi-matte finish on it. Rugged, and looks good too, nice and clean.
Both will do what ya need them too, but my preferance is the BB.


-Aaron

[Mac11700]

I agree with myarmor...I prefer the bull barrels over the standard 22" barrels...I haven't had it in 223...but have had them in 243 & 308...

Mac

[bigjeepman]

I agree with what has been posted. I have both in .223 but prefer the BB because of the feel and barrel-heating advantage. I cannot tell you whether there is proven data that explains a bull barrel will be more accurate than a standard size barrel but mine is. In my case, it might be a confidence factor as I have always preferred bull barrels.

[EVOC ONE]

One more vote for the bull barrel here, as well.  I also have a .223 in each and like feel of the of the heavier barrel.  Regarding their performance, each shoots as well as the other and they both shoot very well.  At the range, I am able to shoot one more round before a cool down with the bull barrel, if that matters.

Joe

[PartsMan]

Bull barrel
When I bought my 223 I went to get a standard
but the hb was the same price.
I figured if I only get one shot I might as well make it good.

My 22" heavy isn't that heavyto carry and balances real nice.

[sparkysteve]

I really was only concerned with having a stainless barrel when I get a muzzleloader barrel.  Those things suck to clean.  Thanks for the input guys.

[quickdtoo]

Steve, I've owned a bunch of muzzleloaders over the last 20yrs or so, none were stainless, none have ever been a problem to maintain or clean. Most were fixed breech barrels, much harder to clean than an inline with a removable breech plug, but still they weren't a problem using just hot water and a little liquid soap. Anyone that thinks a stainless muzzleloader barrel is immune from the affects of blackpowder corrosion is fooling themselves, they can be destroyed from improper/insufficient cleaning just as well as a regular barrel. Learning to clean one properly is in itself another learned skill, isn't hard, just knowing how is the secret.

Tim

http://www.octobercountry.com/muzzleloader_cleaning.php

http://www.chuckhawks.com/clean_muzzleloader.htm