My new rifle came in

[Hylander]

I ordered the 110 Hunter in .223
I didn't realize the barrel was so skinny.
I wish I ordered the Predator.
Oh well, if it shoots .75 moa or better I'll be happy, if not I will just spend more Money and buy a new barrel.

[Dave Hoback]

Well, yes. It’s a “Hunter”. Uses either 22” or 24” Sporter Barrel. It’s not designed to be a Target rifle. Savage only uses like 5 different contours, Sporter, Heavy Sporter, Magnum, Varmint & Bull.

[J.Baker]

Unless you primarily intend to use this rifle at the range or for competition, there's little to no benefit of having a heavier contour barrel. A skinny barrel can shoot just as accurately as a bull barrel, the difference is how many rounds you can fire before heat buildup will start affecting POI. More material for the heat to dissipate into and more surface area for it to radiate out of give the heavier contours an advantage in that regard, but that's it. For a hunting rifle where you're only taking one or two shots in quick succession the only thing you'll be gaining is weight which is viewed as a negative for a hunting rifles.

[Turkeytider]

I ordered the 110 Hunter in .223
I didn't realize the barrel was so skinny.
I wish I ordered the Predator.
Oh well, if it shoots .75 moa or better I'll be happy, if not I will just spend more Money and buy a new barrel.

My 110 Storm (.223 ), being a hunting rifle as well, has a thinner barrel and is thusly heat sensitive. I get my best range results with a 3 shot, relatively slow group, then rack the gun while I shoot several groups with my 17HMR. Barrel never gets beyond very mildly warm. I assume that this method helps with barrel life as well as accuracy.

[Slowpoke Slim]

9521

OP,

This is 5 shots from a cold, clean barrel. Shot from my Stevens .223 with the factory sporter weight barrel.

I measured it from "outside to outside" of the group, not "center to center" as usual.

Just to give you an idea of what a sporter weight barrel can do.

This is my coyote hunting rifle. I'd rather have the light weight on this rig, as this one I would hike in quite a ways on foot before setting up a stand. Some of my target rifles are pretty heavy, but I never hike anywhere with those.

[Hylander]

Thanks for the input.
Yes, I do want this for a calling rifle.
I am just over thinking things.