Fish&Fowl
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Reged: 02/26/08
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I'm looking for opinions on the importance or benefits of a fully free-floating barrel for a rifle used mainly for hunting.
I just bought a Tikka T3 Lite in a .22-250, and after checking the barrel I noticed if I run a piece of paper between the barrel and stock, it stops about 4" short of the action.
Tikka claims a free-floated barrel, and I checked my dad's and my Browning A-Bolts, and both have adequate clearance right up to the action. I know a floated barrel keeps it from contacting the stock when it heats and expands, and in most hunting situations I'm in that's not an issue. But if I'm shooting at the range in Sept. and it's 60 degrees, will the accuracy be affected when the barrel heats up?
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"The magic visitation of ducks from the sky to a set of bobbing blocks holds more beauty and heart-pounding thrill than I've ever experience afield with rod or gun."
-Gordon MacQuarrie
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wishin4eyes
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Most rifle barrels that are free floated and bedded should be floated to within about an inch in front of the action, you will find that most factory rifles are not this way. Alot of new wood stocked rifles have points of contact in the barrel channel which can effect accuracy when the the temperature changes and the wood expands and contracts, and as the barrel warms up from shooting. I personally check this on all my rifles and sand out any point of contact or rough spot it usually doesn't take much, and I believe it does help in shooting in different conditions.
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C Hof
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Loc: Star Prairie, WI
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In my understanding, free floating barrels really have more to do with isolating the barrel from the effects of the stock changing with moisture and temperature levels. What kind of stock do you have? A synthetic stock would be least affected by weather conditions, a laminated stock is a little more affected and a regular wood stock would be the most affected. The affect is really relative also. There are a lot of rifles that are not free floated that shoot excellent groups - better than most shooters can use.
If you are really concerned with the lack of space close to the action, and the gun is new, I would call the company and talk to them about it. If they advertise a free floated barrel, then it should be just that. On the other hand, it may shoot just fine the way it is. It all depends on what level of accuracy you expect, and what you are happy with.
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C Hof
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Good point about most factory rifles not being precisely free floated. I had the same on a Savage. There was a little contact with the synthetic stock, which I quickly took care of with a dremel.
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Fish&Fowl
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Thanks for the replies.
The stock is synthetic. I have been doing a fair amount of shooting, but I've had a less than perfect rest and have been shooting some fairly old shells my buddy gave me to shoot up. I'm going to get some new shells today and go shoot with a gun vise and really pay attention to groups and barrel heat.
C Hof,
When you talk about contact, was it just one little high spot or a certain point where contact was all around the barrel.
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"The magic visitation of ducks from the sky to a set of bobbing blocks holds more beauty and heart-pounding thrill than I've ever experience afield with rod or gun."
-Gordon MacQuarrie
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Suzuki
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Contact the mfg. They will give you answers about their product as apposed to opinions.
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Mike
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C Hof
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Loc: Star Prairie, WI
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On my Savage, the cutout for the barrel seemed to be off center in the synthetic stock. So, along one side of the barrel, the stock contacted it for several inches. it was pretty easy to take a little material off, and you can't tell unless you take the stock off.
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