do i need a heavy barrel
 

I was gonna get a Tikka Laminated in the .22-250 but the gun does not have a heavy barrel and the only model they have with a heavy barrel has a synthetic stock which i really dislike. I will be doing fairly rapid shooting of gophers and whatever else is shootable and was wondering if i could get awawy with having just a sporter barrrel which is on the Laminated Stainless?

is the possible or am i to find another gun?

RE: do i need a heavy barrel
 

Even with a heavier barrel, there will still probably be a lot of barrel heat up with rapid, successive shooting. It may just take a few more shots for that to happen, as there is more steel to heat up. Either way, you will have to let the barrel sit every few rounds to cool anyway. I would just get the gun with the sporter barrel and not worry about it. I don't think you are going to be shooting so much, that it will heat to the point that any damage will be caused. Just watch the barrel and make sure it doesn't get too hot, and then let it cool for a while, the gophers will be there another day. Maybe take a second rifle like a .22 with you, use the .22-250 for the longer shots, let the gun cool, and take out the closer ones with the .22.

RE: do i need a heavy barrel
 

sporter barrels cool down faster, just keep that in mind. just open the bolt and let the air flow through should be cool enough to shoot in 5 to 10 minutes. heavy barrels on the other hand can take a little longer to cool down. or if you are really worried about you can get this spray that cools the barrel down almost instantly i forget the name of it help out here but anyway alot of competition shooters use it.

RE: do i need a heavy barrel
 

Think about getting a fluted barrel, I know Kimber makes one, I think Savage and Winchester have one too.