Trail Hunter versus Trail Hunter Lite

[Rimfirenut]

I'm expanding my centerfire rifle lineup. Currently rotate 3 at the range which is insufficient to prevent barrel overheating. Rifle will only be used to shoot from the bench or standing with tripod at the range with distances primarily between 200 and 400 yards. I've got a Trail Hunter 30-06 on order. Since I pull the trigger on a steady basis at the range, I was afraid of the Lite version in a long action.

I'm also wanting something in a 0.284 and been evaluating cartridges for tripod and bench range shooting primarily between 200 and 400 yards. After reviewing ballistics, sorta settled on a 7mm-08 over the newer and hotter cartridges to minimize heat build up. Will there be much difference in the barrel heating rate between the fluted medium sporter barrel on the "Lite" version compared to the non-fluted medium contour of the standard Trail Hunter? All shooting will be from the bench so the 1.1# weight difference isn't a big concern? But, it'll eventually get handed down to my daughter and her husband.

The other rifles in the rotation are:

Savage Axis in 223
Howa 1500 in 243
Remington Long Range in 6.5CM

Thus the 7mm-8 and aught 6 compliment my OCD (.223, .243, .264, .308 bullet diameters).

[J.Baker]

I wouldn't put much stock in that claimed 1.1lb weight difference unless their is something other than the barrels that are different. At best on a heavy contour barrel with deep flutes you might shave 6 ounces of weight with the flutes. The factory flutes are fairly shallow, more so on the fluted sporter barrels. If they shave off 4-5 ounces I would be surprised which is a far cry from 1.1lbs.

As for heat buildup, I don't think it will make much of a difference. The fluted might cool a little faster, but that's about it.

[Josh P]

I just bought a trail hunter lite after comparing both at the gun shop. The barrel thickness/profile looked to be the exact same except the lite had shallow flutes and was a few inches shorter. I just got finished swapping the stock to a magpul. I’m hoping to shoot it Friday or Saturday. I doubt in all honestly there was a half pound difference in the two guns.

[Josh P]

Just an update I worked up a few loads and shot some factory ammo in my 6.5 creedmoor trail hunter lite and it shot every load well. The rifle doesn’t seem to be very picky at all. It really liked hornadys eld-x bullet with H4350. I’m very pleased with the purchase overall and would buy another without question. The bolt has an occasional hiccup feeding but I can deal with it.
I could shoot 5 consecutive shots without the barrel getting to warm. It has a little more meat than a traditional sporter profile.

[charlie b]

I am only a bench/range shooter these days. I have a .308 fluted barrel that came on my 12VBSS. It heated up just as fast as any of my other guns and was not as accurate as my .223 Axis (medium varmint contour). The .308 was replaced with a heavy varmint barrel in 6BR. When the .223 wears out it will get a very heavy varmint barrel for 300 yd work.

I use a cooler at the range to keep barrel temps down, especially out here in the summer.