Pro Hunter Barrel/Encore Barrel

[Bucker]

I see all these types of barrels for sale and the different lengths listed.   I am looking for varmints,  Yotes and such, and deciding between 223,204 22-250.  I am however unsure of a purchase based on the ads, like a 15" vs. 26" barrel . I have a stainless 50 caliber T-hole ProHunter.  I shoot everything game wise w/ that out to 175 yards, of course when a 50 hits something damage is massive.  Help on barrels length, fit ro my Pro Hunter and how each of those rounds could be affected would be helpful.  Thanks

[Grumulkin]

For the choice of cartridge I would go with the 22-250.  If you wish to have cheap brass, etc., then go 223 which isn't much behind the 22-250 in performance.  The 204 Ruger is also nice and is a good varmint round but with less power than the other two and less brass and bullet selection than the 223.  Fortunately, I have all three so don't have to make this heart wrenching choice.

As for barrel length, if you like bling, go with the 28 inch Pro Hunter barrel with the flutes and all that.  If bling doesn't matter, then 24 and 26 inch barrels so save a bit on weight and make them a bit more handy.  If you decide to go handgun, I would advise against a fluted barrel because if you decide to shorten it, it looks dumb.  Also, I don't like to leave the front sight on a handgun barrel I intend to scope and a fluted barrel can't be cut short enough to remove the screw holes for the front sight without getting into the flutes and looking dumb.

The forends for the regular heavy barrels and the Pro Hunter barrels are interchangeable.

[panman]

I have the ss fluted barrel,26",and it shoot like a dream.Just about any load from 45 gr pill,to 60,has been tryed,and all shot at LEAST 1/12" at 100yds.Now as i say this,please realise that the loads shot were the first shots tryed and by no means tweeked.I just picked different powders,and bulletsWTs.and tryed them out.Used dif.manuals to start my loads and shot starting loads on most of em.H-blc-2,Varget,h-322 were most often used.The gun is a little front heavy but,it a gun not a scale,lol.pan.