New barrel for my .30-06

[cbans]

I want to get a barrel for my .30-06. I currently have the 22" barrel it came with (1 in 10?). I would like to shoot heavier bullets (like Berger 185grn VLDs). I am kicking around making it AI but I am not sure if I want to fire form brass. So my question to you all is what would be optimal length (??26"??), barrel type and twist, rifling etc. It's for hunting (I don't mind carrying a little more weight). All input would be appreciated.
thanks,
Chris

[geargrinder]

There are two threads in the FAQ that answer your questions exactly.

http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php/topic,508.0.html

http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php/topic,507.0.html

[LG]

Chris,

How does the original barrel shoot? The 1-10" twist will have no problems stabilizing 185gr VLDs.

For hunting I like the 22" sporter contour. If you're not going to do a lot of walking around carrying the rifle, perhaps a 24" varmint contour would be good. More than that and the rifle starts to become too nose heavy for my taste (for a hunting rifle that will be shot off-hand and/or from an improvised field positions).

1-10' twist works very well in the 30-06. It stabilizes most everything except maybe the real heavy 30 cal bullets like 220+ grains.

[cbans]

Thanks for the replies. The orginal barrel shots good. I can easily get under 1.5" @ 200 yds with on the bipod or supported (I don't have a lead sled etc). It has shot everything I have put in it well. I just can't leave things alone. I have shot it quite a bit out to 550 yds but plan on working my way out to 1000 yds. I was thinking that a 22" barrel wasn't long enough to allow all the powder to burn. As far as contour goes I wouldn't carrying a rifle that was a little heavier (it's really light now). I don't what performance gains I can expect in relationship to the heavier contours.

[GaCop]

Get a 24" medium weight sporter, 1/10tw and you'll be good to go out to 600 yards easy.