Having either a 7mm. Rem. Mag. or .300 Winny built from Hill Country Rifles. I'll be putting in the order next week.
They are recomending at least a #4 contour if I go with a 26" barrel. They said I could "get by" with a #3 contour if we kept barrel length to 24".

Trying to have them build as lightweight of a rifle as possible without sacrificing accuracy.

They're saying a finished weight of about 8 pounds with the #4 contour at 26" with the stock and action we've discussed.

I was HOPING to get the finished weight down to about 7 1/4 to 7 1/2 pounds without scope.

Main question is, which contour would you suggest for a 26" barrel to keep weight down but still be stiff enough for excellent accuracy?

Surprised they said this. Melvin Forbes gets it done with a #3, and lightest guns available.

But Melvins guns are about the only ones I would trust with this. NULAs.

The more I think about it, I might do better to just get used to the extra 1/2 pound of weight and stay with a #4 or #5 contour barrel.

Food for thought;

http://www.newultralight.com/



I know it's not much help if you're going with Hill Country ~ sorry !

Man, I just can't get used to the thought of having to tote a #5 barrel around out there. Seriously. I really think a #3, if of good stock, would be sufficient... but what the "H" do I know... just an old redneck...

my STW is a #5 fluted 26" with brake, it weighs 8.5# with a 6.5x20 loopy with loopy mounts and rings.
RR

Ridge,
How did you get that whole setup at 8.5 pounds?
Can you tell me what the total setup is? Stock, action, barrel, ect.

You could always go with an ABS, Christensen, Magnum Research or Wasatch barrel...

Schoolcraft, if you are wanting a lighter rifle, why not use a shorter barrel? With a shorter barrel, you can then use a slimmer contour, the weight is lowered. It sounds sort of like you are wanting antagonistic qualities -- maybe you'll just have to choose what is most important to you and live with the less than ideal value of the other parameter.