Thread: Bartlein #3 Contour

Gidday.

Has anyone built a rifle with a Bartlein #3 contour? I know most people use 2B but the only options available at the moment are the Featherweight #2 (#0 contour) and a #3 contour.
The featherweight is still a grunty barrel but just exploring options.

Would end up being a 20” barrel.

Question being, is the #3 getting up there in weight for a standard hunting rifle?

I reckon 2B is too heavy without fluting

Yes, the Bartlein #3 contour is heavier than most sporting rifle bbl. It’s not huge difference but it’s noticeable. You can save some weight by fluting but that’s still going to end up a bit heavier than your standard factory bbl on a Tikka or REM700. In past I’d used several Truflite bbl with their #3 contour. Came to a different project & went with Bartlein & mistakenly assumed their #3 would be same or very similar to TF. They are not. I’ll dig out some weight info for you on 2 similar rifles comparing TF & Bartlein weights

Originally Posted by McNotty

Question being, is the #3 getting up there in weight for a standard hunting rifle?

Depends on the hole size down the inside. This is often forgotten about and we all concentrate on the outer profile.

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Originally Posted by chainsaw

Yes, the Bartlein #3 contour is heavier than most sporting rifle bbl. It’s not huge difference but it’s noticeable. You can save some weight by fluting but that’s still going to end up a bit heavier than your standard factory bbl on a Tikka or REM700. In past I’d used several Truflite bbl with their #3 contour. Came to a different project & went with Bartlein & mistakenly assumed their #3 would be same or very similar to TF. They are not. I’ll dig out some weight info for you on 2 similar rifles comparing TF & Bartlein weights

Thank you.
After doing a fair bit of research, it looks like the yanks all bloody hunt with truck axles. A 2B contour seems to take a back seat compared to the heavier contours over there. Bloody interesting.
Also looks like Bartlein would laugh at you if you ever came to them requesting something like a standard Tikka contour.

#3 would be pretty hefty bro. My 2B equivalent profile I had was solid and definitely wouldn’t want bigger then that on a hunting rifle

i have a 3b on my 22x47lap and its a chunky boy

Ok, here’s a comparison for you not exactly apples for apples but it gives you some ideas. Two rifles, both 7mm, both 22in bbl, both wearing VX6 3-18x44 & CF stocks (not identical). First up is Tikka284 with Tf #3 bbl (not fluted) which weighs in at 3.219 kg.

The 2nd is 7SAUM with fluted Bartlein #3 weighs in at 3.32 kg


So after fluting about +100g, not withstanding small differences in stocks & Tikka vs REM Model 7 actions & bolts.
The Bartlein 2b is a better option for hunting rifle, even then you might want to consider fluting

Tikka action is like 100-150gm more than a M7

I've got a Bartlin featherweight on my 6.5-284 and it's still not a "light" rifle, it's threaded 14x1 at 24"

Originally Posted by Tentman

I've got a Bartlin featherweight on my 6.5-284 and it's still not a "light" rifle, it's threaded 14x1 at 24"

That’s what I’m going to go with as it’s what’s available. Nice to know I can cut to 20 thread 14x1 with no issues as will be using existing suppressor

The heavier the barrel, the more weight can be removed by fluting, but a smaller contour will in most cases always beat à heavier fluted contour .

I had a 26” 7mm #3 it was a pretty darn heavy rifle over 4kg with a muzzle brake iv had a few 2b @chainsaw are they certainly #3 I’d have expected it to dwarf the model 7 a little more? Recently flutted a 16” 2b and it’s 130grams lighter than before my flutted 2b at 20” in 7mm was a smidge under 1.1kg

Originally Posted by Kelton

I had a 26” 7mm #3 it was a pretty darn heavy rifle over 4kg with a muzzle brake iv had a few 2b @chainsaw are they certainly #3 I’d have expected it to dwarf the model 7 a little more? Recently flutted a 16” 2b and it’s 130grams lighter than before my flutted 2b at 20” in 7mm was a smidge under 1.1kg

Yep Bartlein #3. Also have a 284 Mk5 Weatherby with Bartlein Featherweight 18in bbl, that’s sitting at 3kg.
The profile of the featherweight blank is a bit weird as the Knox steps down sharply to the barrel. The gunsmith made a great job of reprofiling the front of Knox. Big shout out to @Jaco Goosen.