Proper barrel-to-stock clearance............Help!

[35R]

I am having a hard time deciding what barrel contour to use on my .260 Remington build. I am debating whether to use a #5 or #6 contour. I will be using a Bell & Carlson Medalist stock which has a barrel channel measurement of 0.950" at the fore end tip. I am leaning towards the #5 contour in order to minimized the weight. However, this will have a gap of approximate 0.055" at either side of the barrel when placed on the stock. Would that be too much? I have read of people using a 1/16" (0.0625") for this clearance. Ultimately, the barrel will be floated. I don't know, I have my doubts. Since, this is my very first rifle built. What do you more experience gents think/suggest ?

BTW Pac-Nor will be doing the rebarrel job

Thanks.

35R

 

[ScreaminEagle]

If you want a free floated barrel, then the thickness of a piece of paper is enough. As long as you can slide a dollar bill under the barrel to the recoil lug, then it is good to go. Anymore space is just a cosmetic issue.

 

[FOTIS]

The standard is a 1 dollar bill folded in half....

 

[Guy Miner]

Some match rifles have quite a bit of clearance between stock & barrel. I've had no problem with that.

 

[muleman]

A floating barrel is a floating barrel. Cosmetically you could always bed the barrel channel before you float it; giving you what ever clearance you wish for. I did it on one of my rifles not to long ago because the forearm was flexing into the barrel. The process is pretty simple. First bed the barrel into the forearm then when you bed the action wrap one or two turns of electrical tape around the barrel where it leaves the stock and a couple of inches in front of the action.This will give a consistant clearance in the barrel channel.

Scott

 

[35R]

Thanks everyone, I think I am going to go with the #6 contour. The difference in weight is very small (according to their barrel weight calculator) and I could benefit from the thicker contour.

 

[SJB358]

The standard is a 1 dollar bill folded in half....

that is what I roll with as well. Seems to work well in my Sporters.