Bartlein Barrels: In-Depth Explanation of Different Contours

Bartlein Barrels have a lot of different contours for the barrels they offer, and like anything that comes in multiple varieties knowing the difference between them is important. This is especially true if you are building a rifle with a specific goal in mind.

So we are going to go over the major variations of Bartlein barrels, how they differ, and some other recommendations. Please note all dimensions come directly from Bertlein’s contour details page.

Bartlein Barrels Contours Explained

There are roughly six major variations of Bartlein barrels. Each features some level of tapering where the barrel gets narrower over its total length. Each blank is 1 inch longer than it needs to be to allow for cutting and crowning the barrel.

Additionally some barrels come in different barrel lengths within the same variations. To make most of this simpler, Bartlein gives each barrel its own number that identifies the specific dimensions of the barrel. Some of these variations are actually Carbon Fiber Wrapped versions, but we will be treating the Carbon Fiber options as their own unique variation.

Let’s get into the first barrel contour set: the Featherweights

Featherweight Contours

The number(#) 0 and 1 contours are some of the lightest barrels available from Bartlein. Officially referred to as the Featherweight#2 and the Win Featherweight, these barrels have a completed length of 22 inches.

Where they differ predominantly is their weight, material, and some minor dimensions. The #0 is 0.050” wider than the #1 at its thickest point while both share the initial chamber/throat dimensions. Both barrels step down after the first few inches and then begin tapering after 6 inches on the #0 and 7 inches on the #1.

The #0 comes in at 2.6 lbs while the #1 is a flat 2 lbs. The #1 is also only available in a “ChromeMoly” material. This makes it more resistant to rust but also makes it slightly harder to shape.

These barrels are geared towards light weight rifles and are not recommended for use with a suppressor.

Sporter Barrel Contours

The Sporter contours have the first large set of variants, with them being the Standered, Medium, Heavy, Light Bull, Bull, and Remington Varmint/Sendero Sporters. Their number equivalents are #2, #2”B”, #3, #3”B”, #4, and #13 respectively.

They share the initial blank diameter and throat barring the #13 which has 0.050” more thickness. From there they have relatively similar dimensions, the largest difference being barrel length, weight, and taper rate. This makes it very similar to the 700 contour, but still thicker at the end of the barrel than the Featherweight.

The Sporter barrels range from 24 inches to 27 inches with a weight range of 3.35 lbs to 4.95 lbs. It’s better to think of these barrels as having a more aggressive tapering rate than a standard 700. Keep in mind the #2 is another “ChromeMoly” specific option

REM 700 Sporter Contours

The Rem Mag Sporter (#19) and Rem Standard Sporter (#20) are meant to be paired with factory Remington 700 stocks. Because of this they are closer to a normal 700 barrel. However, the specifications for the 700’s stock can be significantly different from the expected specs. This difference is noted to be 0.015” by Bartlein.

Due to this difference and the difference in the channel inlet that can occur, modifying the barrel to fit makes the barrel non-returnable. The #19 is the thicker of the two options featuring the more pronounced taper and secondary tapering sections.

Straight Taper/Match Contours 

The #5-9 and #14-15 Barrel contours are the heavier contours that Bartlein offers. These contours are only available in 26 inch or 28 inch lengths and range from 5.9lbs up to 7.4 lbs. They have a consistent taper across the entire barrel without very visible steps or slopes.

The features are meant to ensure the barrel is less affected by heat in order to maintain accuracy. Due to the weight and thickness, these barrels can combine with suppressors better than lighter barrels.

Palma Contours

The Palma contours (#10, #11, #12,#18) have the smallest taper rate compared to the other contours that actually have taper. The Palma features a prominent slope down to the preferred thickness and then barely changes for the rest of the barrel.

All of the barrels are 30 inches and range in weight from 5 lbs to 6.3 lbs. According to Bartlein, the Medium Palma (#11) is the lightest barrel they would consider using with a suppressor due to how a suppressor affects the barrel’s harmonics. Any lower and the performance will suffer.

Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiber is a special variation of the Bartlein barrels contours. They take three barrel styles (#4 Bull, #13 Sendero, and #14 M24/M40) and replace part of the barrel’s thickness with a carbon fiber wrap.

This wrap adds additional weight savings and features three other variations from these barrel contours. These variations are a 1.130 inch breech diameter on the #4 for use with Tikka/Sako actions, a 1.250 inch breech diameter for the #14 which is recommended for .30 Magnums and .338 Lapua Magnums, and a 1.250 breech diameter which is recommended for most magnums.

Here are the weights for carbon fiber variations.

Bull Sporter

Remington Varmint/Sendero

M24/M40

Conclusion

The frustrating aspect of the barrel contours is that most of it comes down to the individual dimensions of the barrel. A hundredth of an inch difference is important but it is very hard to explain outside of looking at the raw mathematical specifications.

In general the differences that stand out for the contours is how heavy they are, how long they are, and how aggressively they do or do not taper. All of which Bartlein provides with their contour dimensions.

Many aspects of fitting a barrel to your rifle will come down to these dimensions, the contours themselves become a matter of preference based on these dimensions in light of the rifle build you are planning on doing. 

Interested in a new barrel? We offer Bartlein barrels in a variety of contours and calibers to fit your needs.