Which barrel to get???

[revbc]

I have an sb2 receiver with the choice of a survivor stock set or a laminated thumbhole.  Want to set up a coyote gun for the Tunica Hills in Louisiana (rugged terrain, very thick in places).  I have settled on a .223 caliber, but should I get the standard contour, 22" bull, or 24" Ultra?  Probably won't be packing it a long ways.  I'm new to coyote hunting - calling, I hear they come in fast, so do I need the lighter barrel for quick target acquisition?  I really like the 22" bull and don't really need the extra velocity the 24 could give.

What ya'll think?

Bobby

[Spanky]

Standard contour barrel.



Spanky

[OSOK]

Standard contour with whichever stock set feels best to you.

[necchi]

I've got the bull, it's the only one I've had. I don't mind the weight, and I don't see it hindering my swing at all.
Argue all ya want, but the extra weight steadies an off hand shot.

I guess the other issue is the barrel heating up and stringi'n the shot's, I had a little trouble with that and ask here and sure enough vertical strings are from too many/rapid consecutive shot's. I can get 3 shot's back to back then it starts climbing without several minutes cool down time.
 I don't know what a standard or ultra will do, but with a cold barrel my first three go to the same POI.
It's all about one cold shot anyway's but it's nice to know I can get that exta 2 and know it's there.

[petemi]

I had a 17HMR bull barrel.  Hated it.  It was on a MC synthetic and wouldn't sling properly.  It was top heavy and kept sliding bacward off my shoulder.  I sold it and got a .223 standard contour barrel with the new Handi Grip stock and love it.  I dialed it in yesterday, and it is a tack driver with cheap junk ammo.

I wouldn't care for a bull barrel for hunting.  The shorter and lighter the better, especially in heavy brush.  If your shots are gonna be close, I'd put a red dot on it.  They work great in dark brushy places and low light.  The .223 isn't anything you have to dampen recoil with, so a short, light rifle works well.

The .223 superlight has been discontinued to the best of my knowledge.  I'd buy a youth model 20 inch barrel, sell the youth stock and put a Handi Grip on it.

Pete

[Kal52]

id go to the local store that has them, most have a .223 in the bull, and compare it to one of the standard barrels, make sure the cal is close, you will get a feel of how they handle.

Dave

[bigvarmnt]

I think that petemi guy pretty much nailed it
I can't find anything in that post to argue with
I would try to find one of each to get a feel on and find what suits YOU.

Pete, is that Handi grip that new stock made for carpenters that couldn't hit the nail? Enlarged thumb?

[petemi]

No, It's a MC Synthetic, checkered, with a longer, wider forend.  Tim posted a pic somewhere here in the last couple of days.  It's a lot nicer than the older synthetics.

Pete

[quickdtoo]

Here's a pic...

[petemi]

Tim, I was talking about the new synthetic stock with the longer, wider forend and checkering.  The one that just came on my new .223.

Pete

[quickdtoo]

The forend on the Handi-grip rifle is the same as comes on the new style synthetic stock.

Tim

[bigvarmnt]

Thanks, I wasn't familiar with Handi-grip. Went through the thread on that new synthetic and didn't see that term. Thought maybe Pete had a hand on one of those new t.h. stocks. Wondered if the stocks were really off that much or the picture exaggerated it. I think my camo syn has the Handi-grip on it. Guess I didn't know what I had. The new forends are nice.

Anyone seen or felt those new Thumbhole Syns. in person yet?
Are they out yet?

I like the 20" S.L. barrel for quick handeling. I have the 24" HB and wouldn't want to carry it around a whole lot and in thick brush. It's not as bad as a HB bolt as the Handi is shorter. I have a 22" standard coming.

[wreckhog]

Haven't seen a Handigrip but my local shop has 870's with the Shur shot stock. Almost identical.

[quickdtoo]

Pete, the Handi-grip is the new synthetic thumbhole stock, is that what you have, or is it the new style checkered monte carlo that comes on the SB1 357 and 44mags?  Either way, the forend is the same. 

Tim

I sold it and got a .223 standard contour barrel with the new Handi Grip stock and love it.  I dialed it in yesterday, and it is a tack driver with cheap junk ammo.

[petemi]

Sorry about that Tim.  It's the new style checkered MC.  I thought it was called the Handi Grip.  My new .223 is wearing it, and I just rang the 300 yard gong with 3 consecutive shots......I haven't even cleaned this rifle yet, and that was with junk Wolf ammo.....I'm VERY impressed.

Pete

[quickdtoo]

Good shootin Pete, thanks for the clarification.  The switch to the new style MC stock is a welcome change for me specially the forend, I've never liked the old style much, I'm wondering if they'll change the low comb syn stock to the new style also, I haven't seen any of them yet.

Tim

[bigvarmnt]

pete, you better be careful ringing that GONG too much at your age

Good shootin. I'd like to set a steel target at my 300 yd mound but I'm afraid something might go off at an angle towards a neighbor. When I bought this land I could only see the old farmhouse that this whole area belonged to. Weird what can happen in 20 years

I say keep ringin that gong as long as you can

[petemi]

Hey Big, try a 20 lb obsolete propane tank.  At 300 yards, they ring nicely and don't produce richochets.  Even if you hit them on the side, just about all bullets rip straight through them.  I've got 3 of them up there that look like Swiss cheese.....they're so bad, I believe "misses" may be going through old holes

Pete

Update...I just shot again and had 2 20 pounders on top of each other....aimed at and knocked the top one off.
Now I want to shoot something furry.

[revbc]

Thanks for all the replies and info.  I think I'm gonna go with the 22" bull, I have one in 308 that was a survivor originally.  It's a tack driver.  May have 357 barrel fitted to it also if they have them in stock.  I have a 357max on the sb1 frame...........doesn't hurt to have 2