Author Topic: Difference between Hunter barrels???? (Read 899 times)

JessMan · « **on:** December 02, 2004, 05:43:56 PM »

Could somebody please explain the difference between a "Hunter"
TC barrel and a standard barrel? Is there any benefit to a "Hunter" barrel?
I think I am referring to 7-30 Waters, 30-30, 35 Rem.
I am getting ever so close to firing my first TC round.
Almost have gathered up the required parts to go "play"!

In the above calibers mentioned, would a 10 in barrel work, or should I
stay with 14in? 150 yds would be the upper limit on range, game would be blacktail deer, black bear, caribou.
Thanks
Jesse

KN · « **Reply #1 on:** December 02, 2004, 06:04:41 PM »

Hunter barrels are either 14 or 16" with a factory muzzle brake. Not sure of all the calibers offered as a hunter but if it's not really nessesary then I would not get the hunter version. Makes a lot of noise especially if you are in a small area such as a shooting booth at a range. I had one on a 223 barrel and ended up shortening the barrel to get rid of it. I also had one on a 45/70 contender barrel that I liked very much. It all depends on if its needed or not. KN

z1 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 02, 2004, 07:10:10 PM »

Agree with KN.

Brakes are useful only for rounds that have a LOT of recoil. In factory Contender barrels that would start at chamberings above 35 Remington.

I have and shoot 7-30 Waters and 35 Rem barrels without brakes. No problem.

For the wildcats, like those of Mr. Jones, most anything based on the 444 Marlin case could use a brake.

It all depends on your ability to handle recoil. But that noise! I use ear plugs for hunting shots.

crawfish · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2004, 08:54:57 PM »

Z1 I have one of JD's .444 Marlin based wildcats. I have a 12-inch .411JDJ that is Mag-na-Ported. It will really scream and is a big pig thumper with the best of them.

springer222 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2004, 03:18:07 AM »

Calibers in Hunter barrels - per T/C catalogs
12" & 14" Blue - 223, 7x30, 30-30, 357 Max, 35 Rem, 375 Win, 44, 45/70.
The 357 Max, 375 Win, and 44 were not offered in SS. T/C also chambers the 45/70 in 16" (actually 16 1/4") with a muzzle tamer. 7x30, 30/30, 375 Win, and 45/70 were also offered with ejectors.

z1 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2004, 09:05:46 AM »

Crawfish, you have gotta love that .411.

It has been on my list of things to do for a while. Got the 6.5 JDJ project done this year. Want to do the 358 JDJ next year.

The next project will be a 6.5 for my son or a .411 for myself. Like I need another wildcat. Yes, I do need another wildcat.

No wife, kids grown. Why not?

mutwagn · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2004, 10:30:10 AM »

Quote from: springer222

Calibers in Hunter barrels - per T/C catalogs
12" & 14" Blue - 223, 7x30, 30-30, 357 Max, 35 Rem, 375 Win, 44, 45/70.
The 357 Max, 375 Win, and 44 were not offered in SS. T/C also chambers the 45/70 in 16" (actually 16 1/4") with a muzzle tamer. 7x30, 30/30, 375 Win, and 45/70 were also offered with ejectors.

If the Contender barrel is/was a Hunter barrel, would it have Hunter on it, or just Super 14?
The reason I ask is, I bought a SS 14" 375 Win. barrel this year, and when I got it it had been cut to 12". I was wondering if it was a Hunter that had been cut off to get rid of the brake, but your statement suggests it may not have been.
I really have no complaints with this barrel. It carries well, and will put 4 200 grain factory loads under a quarter at 100 yards. I really was just currious about the reason for the cut and crown.
Andy

z1 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2004, 11:03:57 AM »

The 14" 7-30 Hunter barrel that I have, and have not shot, does not have Hunter stamped on it.

Measuring from the backside of the brake to the breech end of the barrel I get 12 1/2 inches.

Being as that barrel will only shoot under a quarter (is that inch or coin?) you should probably throw it away. In my direction please.

mutwagn · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2004, 11:26:21 AM »

Thank you, I think I'll hang on to it though. :grin:
That is the coin, and that is more than minute of deer for me.
It has been responsible for one small buck this year, and the season doesn't end till Jan 1st. So I may have another chance to go later, and see how it does on another.
Andy

springer222 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2004, 11:31:53 AM »

None of the "Hunter" barrels I have are designated as "Hunter" barrels. The 14's are "Super 14" and the 12's just have caliber and usual T/C info.

EdK · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2004, 03:07:15 AM »

Quote from: JessMan

Could somebody please explain the difference between a "Hunter"
TC barrel and a standard barrel?

Gladly: The Hunter barrells are the ones that ruin your hearing.

Keith L · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2004, 04:50:38 AM »

Huh?, What?

JessMan · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2004, 10:21:09 AM »

I can hear yall clearly now.
Thanks

EdK · « **Reply #13 on:** December 04, 2004, 10:43:04 AM »

Quote from: Keith L

Huh?, What?

Seriously, brakes do have their place but you don't need one for the kind of calibers inquired about at the start of the thread. If you have a real need for a brake then OK but hearing protection is a must. I always
use protection for practice but for one hunting shot here and there I'd rather not so I avoid brakes and try to use lower pressure rounds whenever possible. For example I'll use a 35 Rem instead of a 7-30 Waters if I absolutely don't need the range - slightly less pressure and sounds a little less sharp/more boomy.

Keith L · « **Reply #14 on:** December 04, 2004, 11:54:01 AM »

I was joking Ed. Acting like I couldn't hear due to muzzle break use...

EdK · « **Reply #15 on:** December 05, 2004, 11:27:09 AM »

Sorry I missed the point on the humor

Keith L · « **Reply #16 on:** December 06, 2004, 12:30:47 AM »

It was a poor joke. Sorry.

wheelgun · « **Reply #17 on:** December 06, 2004, 08:05:08 AM »

Jessman
This is just my opinion but the calibers you list above I would stay with 14" tube with no brake.The only barrel I have with a brake is 45-70 14".I also would get the 7-30 waters ,35 rem and wait on the 30-30.The 7-30 will do anything the 3030 will do and alot more accurate.Maybe the 7-30 waters,35 rem,then a 375 win or 44 mag.Don't get me wrong I like the 30-30 I have a 10" and 14" but if you are just starting out the 7-30 is a good round to start with in a contender.

JessMan · « **Reply #18 on:** December 08, 2004, 04:03:57 PM »

Thanks for the info, I will go for the 14in 7-30 for starters.
It should work for my hunting needs.
I think I will spend the money and get a custom barrel.

Jesse

hickory604 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 11, 2004, 09:57:50 AM »

I don't have the article in front of me but if your go online and search for "t/c factory barrels vs. custom" you will probably find it. The author found little difference between them and in a few instances the factory barrels faired better. Check it out before spending the money.
This, of course, only pertains if you are going for a more common caliber offered by both factory and custom.