Bull barrel

C

click23

New member
I have been lurking on here for a while and have a question. When hunting coyotes what is the benefit of a bull barrel?

Thanks,
Robert
 
IMHO, Under 200yds, None if you are only anticipating 1-2 shots.. The main benefit of a bull barrel is the stiffness that reduces harmonic vibrations and distortion due to heat build-up...

If you are only anticipating taking one or two shots at reasonable distances, I've never been able to tell the difference.

When I'm going for Prairie Dogs or some other longer range target, the bull barrel stiffness and reduced harmonics do play a part. If I'm shooting in an action competition, the bull barrel maintains point of impact better during 20-30 shot rapid fire strings.

My coyote rifle has a 14.5" barrel in a lightweight configuration... after 200 yds, I think I would be hard pressed to 'call my shot', but most if my areas are 50-100yd distances.
 
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The bull barrel is kinda like the color of the paint on a car. It just looks good. Also, it can and will help you shoot better groups from a rest. In the field a light barrel will be just fine as most callers can get a predator close enough to hit them with even an inaccurate rifle. I have fluted bull barrels on most of my AR's.
 
You guys type too fast. And I'm too long winded!

For many it's what we have in the safe. As far as any advantage, there is none really. in fact the weight can be kind of a pain when it comes to a walking rifle. For many years manufactures built small caliber rifles in the varmint style, which meant heavy stocks and bull barrels, with the thinking that they would primarily be used for prairie dogs, rock chucks and the like. Over the years the varmint rifle has evolved into more of a utility weapon that can take on the role that was covered by the .24 and .25 cal. rifles, mostly I feel because of the advent of better bullet styles and overall bullet construction and also because that is what a lot of hunters were asking for. Now most manufactures are making at least one sporter weight rifle in small caliber as in .17 too .224. IMHO.
 
I agree with everything written above. In my opinion, the quality of the barrel is more important than the thickness. I have seen 24 inch bull barrels on ARs that were crap because they weren't quality. I have also seen normal profile barrels of moderate length that were amazing.
 
It is my opinion that there is no reason for a heavy barrel on a predator hunting rig. With that being said, my primary rifle has a #5 contour, which is relatively heavy, but it's cut ti 22". I got the barrel because at the time it was relatively inexpensive. After tuning fitting it to my Ruger single shot action I fell in love with it. Remember this, a Ruger single shot action is relatively very short, with a short 22" barrel on it the entire package is extremely handi and easy to carry. What the heavy barrel adds to the package is stability, the rifle settles nicer than any rifle I've ever handled. A heavy rifle will almost always settle better than a lighter one. But you don't need the weight, before I built this rifle I hunted with an old design 110L Savage in 243win, one of the lightest rifles I've handled. That rifle killed a lot of coyotes and was easy to carry. It was hard on hides though.
 
I perfer bull barrel on most all my guns. It has little to do with accuracy but rather balance. I have a bad left shoulder and extending it balancing the gun is painful as well as difficult. Because of this the crown of the barrel tends to wander alot. The heavier barrel seems to be much easier to steady.

In the end I think it comes down to what you like unless you are taking lots of shoot in rapid sucession.
 
I'm with Tarry, after owning several bull barrel rifles, some of the rifle designs need the weight forward to help me keep them balanced, that being said, my model 7 with pencil barrel is one of my best off hand rifles. I think it has to do with length of pull and stock design. My T/C carbine thumbhole with bull 21" 223 rem barrel is very off hand steady as well /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif. As far as ballistics go, unless your calling spots play out like a Randy Anderson video and you whack 40 dogs in a 1.5 hr period, then there is no real advantage.
 
Thanks for the info guys, I was asking myself, when a great day is shooting five shots why do I need a heavy barrel? Since this will pretty much be a dedicated coyote rifle, I am going to go with a sporter barrel. I am also looking at a 22lr, which will be a heavy barrel because I plan on taking it to the range and putting a couple hundred rounds through it a day.

Thanks,
Robert
 
All of my calling rifles have bull barrels. I may, or may not need it, but it's a matter of personal preference. Embedded in my thick skull is the need to have a bull barrel in order to have an accurate rifle. I know this to not be necessarily true, however I do have a reason. FOr me, it's all a confidence level. It's the same reason I am not happy with a rifle that simply shoot MOA, and why I take so much time with load development. Again, it's all a confidence level. When I pull the trigger, I want no doubt in my mind that my rifle is capable of making whatever shot I am tryying to take. If I have a rifle that is a one whole shooter, when I pull the trigger, I will be much more relaxed, and confident in the shot. most of the time, that equals a downed animal. Now, if you get me out there with a rifle that shoots a 1" group, in my head I will not be as confident and will second guess my aim, elevation, all sorts of stuff, and I usually miss.

So, is a bull barrel necessary; absolutely not, but for me it is. And trust me, I wish I could build a rifle with a pencil barrel that makes one ragged whole, I just haven't done it yet. Hopefully someday I will.
 
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So, is a bull barrel necessary; absolutely not, but for me it is. And trust me, I wish I could build a rifle with a pencil barrel that makes one ragged whole, I just haven't done it yet. Hopefully someday I will.



I agree with the above post, but to add that during load developement it seems that the harmonics of a bull barrel are more forgiving and easier to get more good groups from different ammo. I have no facts to back this statement up other than personal experience.

My personal coyote hunting takes place in open prairie where shots are in excess of 200 yards and the wind is always blowing. Most of my predator and hunting rifles are bull barrels. I also weigh 265lbs and am 6'2" and a 17-20# rifle doesn't seem to weigh me down.
 
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