Octagon vs. Bull

[Incitatus]

I am wondering if there are pros and cons that go beyond the aesthetic.  I have bought a couple of Octagon barrels recently and am wondering if there is some reason why I might regret it.

Thanks.

[SHOOTALL]

Each bbl is independent . If yours shoots as you wish you are in luck.
Some say a bull bbl. heats up slower , some say a bbl with "edges " flexes less . A bull / fluted has both .
Some like the looks of one type over the other .
BUT how it shoots is really the point .

[Lone Star]

The biggest differences you'll see are weight.  I shot an octo .25-35 barrel in IHMSA Production Class for years and hit 40x40 with it repeatedly so the accuracy was there, and recoil wasn't bad either since the small hole kept plenty of weight in the barrel.  However, my .45LC octagonal is brutal in recoil with loads much above factory because the barrel weighs almost nothing.  Both are with irons sights; the weight of a scope will help mitigate the recoil.

How fast a barrel heats up is due almost entirely to its mass, not shape.  Two barrels with the same diameter, one with flutes the other without - the latter cools off faster, but its temperature will rise faster so it is often a wash. 


.

[Hopalong7]

I haven't seen that one was more accurate than the other.  I can personally shoot the bull barrel better than the octagon from a rested position because the weight of the barrel makes it easier to hold steady.  On the other hand the octagon is lighter and easier to carry AND it's also just plain GOOD loooking.  Actually by the time both are scoped...it isn't much difference.
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt 

[Incitatus]

Thanks folks.  Good advice, as always.

Just bought my third Octagon, a 22 WMR.  It joins a 357 mag and 22 LR.

[snowbelt45]

I had a 45 LC in octagon and the recoil was harsh, to say the least.  Went to a 45LC in a bull barrel and love it.  I also have a octagon in 22 hornet and 22lr and they are a pleasure to shoot.  IMO the larger calibers work better in the bull or fluted barrels, but you may have better luck than I do.

Snowbelt

[Incitatus]

Being relatively new to the world of Contenders, I have not even shot all of the barrels that I own.  I am in a semi-rural area and while I can shoot safely, I am a bit sensitive to the noise so some things will have to wait a bit.

I have shot .38's which have virtually zero recoil and am ver curious about the .223 (in Bull Barrel).

[Hopalong7]

I would reccomend a 14" barrel for the .223 or .222 as well.  Being a reloader, I favor the longer neck of the .222 over the .223.  The octagon barrels you have should bring great pleasure.  I've always wanted both 22lr and 22WMR in an octagon barrel...have several of both, but not octagon.  My favorite octagon barrels have been with me a long time...a 38 Spl, .218 Bee and .256 Win Mag(my first ever Contender barrel).  Good Luck with yours.  Walt 

[hunterspistol]

Being relatively new to the world of Contenders, I have not even shot all of the barrels that I own.  I am in a semi-rural area and while I can shoot safely, I am a bit sensitive to the noise so some things will have to wait a bit.

   Being in a rural area already, I can say the obvious.  A person needs to collect several types of hearing protection.  My earmuffs(both sets) hang on the 4wd shifter in the pickup but, don't work when shooting a rifle with scope. But, if you were handgun hunting, you could still hang earmuffs around your neck and pull them up right before the shot. I can do it with one hand but, it takes a lot of range time to get used to doing that. Most of the time, it feels clumsier than it really is.  If a person doesn't wear glasses, eye protection is in order.  I shot 22 Hornet long enough that I have some barrels that I don't know how loud they are-sounds a bit strange, hunh?  The 410 is about as loud as I want to volunteer for really.

[Hopalong7]

    Some of the best money I've spent in recent years was for a set of Games Ears ear muffs.  I got them beacuse I had gotten to where I couldn't hear a deer walking or a turkey gobblin'(three gueses how I got to be that way....Yeah...hard headed when I was younger).  They work great!  I can now hear things that I hadn't heard in many years and yet they muffle a high powered hand gun down to about 75 decibels.  I'm protected while shootin' and yet I can almost hear a pin drop . 
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt               DON'T be like me and wait 'til it's too late .

[GameHauler]

Thanks Walt
I have just spent a half hour tearing my garage apart
looking for my Game Ears.
I have not used them in a couple years since they
kinda drove me crazy with all the birds ect.

Sorry to get off the subject
I really like all 4 of my Octagon's (10")
but my 14" bull in 30-30 is a pleasure to shoot
with the added weight since I elected not to scope it.

[BUTTS]

For me its all about the look of the gun. I have had both and like the looks of the bulls over the octagons. All of the barrels I have had shoot great, but I for some reason I feel more confident with a bull barrel.