Reverse Taper Barrels

[Winston]

Hi folks,

After some complex horse trading, I'm getting a free barrel. It will be a 1:17 308 setup for flatbase bullets in the 115gr range and used exclusively for my clubs bastardised 200 yard benchrest/f-class shoot (we shoot from a bench on the old 10 ring targets with no x ring and targets are pulled between shots, rifle can be 10kg). Calibre choice is largely due to me having so much 308 gear already and not having to set up for another calibre.

Since it's costing me nothing, and I like tinkering with stuff, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on reverse taper barrels? The best I can work out is that the have had varying degrees of success, and primarily on rimfires.

I'm sure the brains trust can enlighten me as to whether it is a waste of a barrel or not, so please fire away.

If reverse taper is considered a silly thing, anyone got a recommendation on barrel spec? I was thinking 24" 1.25" cylinder as the alternative.

Cheerio,
Alex

[plumbs7]

Hi Alex , I thought Wilaidia would have answered u by now ! He would be the one to reply to this one !

Anyway , my thinking it would create some wicked violent harmonics at the point of where it was fixed , being less rigid with the reverse taper part into the action ! Better to have the thicker part into the action . And at the muzzle a weight or tuner . Orings have also been experimented of late and have shown promise in calming the middle harmonic waves if placed in the right area ! ( sorry can't say where to put them , overseas rifle teams do read this forum) .

1:17 twist is interesting , I think Jedi Giles ( Pesco ) won. Couple of world champs with doing the same thing as you are doing back in the 80's .

Hope this helps !

[bobeager]

Sounds like you are building a 30BR. I had some thoughts about this cartridge for 500 metre Fly (when conditions are good)