Barrett Fieldcraft

Jerry D · #1 10-09-2017, 07:11 AM

Has anyone taken a look at this rifle yet?

Basically a redone Forbes or factory nula with some changes but a lot of the same.

Short action 6.5cm 7mm08 or .308 are 21" barrels just over 5lbs

Long actions are 24" barrels around 5 1/2 lbs

What's your take on 21" barrels in the above short action chamberings?

We have caliber restrictions for small game hunting here so it's .270 or less meaning no .277 anything or 7mm so I'm considering the sa creedmoor w/ 21" tube or a 6.5x55 with 24" tube.

Appears they are selling for 1500 us so they are probably going to be 2k here....

harv3589 · #2 10-09-2017, 07:21 AM

Things I have read on them seem very good. Is there a dealer up here?

Wrongside · #3 10-09-2017, 07:25 AM

Wolverine Supplies carries Barrett.

Kurt505 · #4 10-09-2017, 07:47 AM

With Forbes no longer in business, I would give them a shot. From what I hear the fit is similar to that of a Forbes. I've had a few ultralight rifles and I like the Forbes over the Tikka T3 ultralight, the Sako Finnlite, and the Kimber Montana.

The Fieldcraft seems to be right in the Kimber/Sako price range so if it's like they say it is, I'd take one over either of the two others. As far as barrel length is concerned, I wouldn't worry about a 21" barrel, in think the only place you'd notice that difference is on paper.

Pathfinder76 · #5 10-09-2017, 08:20 AM

The biggest difference in the Forbes/NULA vs the Barrett is the barrel contour. Barrett crapped the bed on that one.

Wrongside · #6 10-09-2017, 10:10 AM

The contour bungle is minor, compared to the LH one. IMO.

Jerry D · #7 10-09-2017, 10:10 AM

It's a 0.550 muzzle diameter at 21"

I woder what an xbolt sporter is. I think close to the same?

I think they may be more like 1700 usd though so up with some of the other options

Kurt505 · #8 10-09-2017, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry D

It's a 0.550 muzzle diameter at 21"

I woder what an xbolt sporter is. I think close to the same?

I think they may be more like 1700 usd though so up with some of the other options

Kimber Montana would be my second choice.

Pathfinder76 · #9 10-09-2017, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrongside

The contour bungle is minor, compared to the LH one. IMO.

No doubt. What a bunch of Gomers. Seriously.

BigJon · #10 10-09-2017, 02:48 PM

What is it about the barrel contours you folks dislike? Is it the contour on the l/a, s/a or both that you are not pleased about?

Pathfinder76 · #11 10-09-2017, 03:30 PM

We all know heavy rifles that handle like light rifles because they are nose light. Light nose light rifles are worse. Melvin Forbes solved that problem in the mid 80's by making the stock and receiver light so he could put a # 2 barrel on it. Thus making a light rifle handle like a sporting weight rifle. It's 2017 and no one else can figure that out it seems.

Jordan Smith · #12 10-09-2017, 07:20 PM

I’ve got one in 6.5 Creed, and it handles a lot like my Kimber Montana in 7-08. Cost was $2500. Shoots 0.4-0.6 MOA groups with several handloads. I’ve got the 147 ELD going 2650-2700 fps with a few different powders. Great rifle.

Pathfinder76 · #13 10-10-2017, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordan Smith

I’ve got one in 6.5 Creed, and it handles a lot like my Kimber Montana in 7-08. Cost was $2500. Shoots 0.4-0.6 MOA groups with several handloads. I’ve got the 147 ELD going 2650-2700 fps with a few different powders. Great rifle.

Exactly. It handles like a Kimber Montana. Which is OK, but not like it could or should.

For illustration.

Jordan Smith · #14 10-10-2017, 08:32 AM

I do like my rifles slightly muzzle heavy for handling purposes, but I’ll need more time with this thing before I make a judgement call on it. There are a lot of things I like about it, and some things I like better about the Kimber. Fit and finish on the Barrett is fantastic, the throating is perfect, twist and mag box length are great, the action functions very nicely, the trigger is one of the best Timney’s I’ve ever felt, the stock is stiff, and the scope mount spacing options are nice. And the barrel shoots awesome.

I prefer the Kimber’s trigger, CRF action, safety, and the ambidextrous stock ergos.

Kurt505 · #15 10-10-2017, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordan Smith

I do like my rifles slightly muzzle heavy for handling purposes, but I’ll need more time with this thing before I make a judgement call on it. There are a lot of things I like about it, and some things I like better about the Kimber. Fit and finish on the Barrett is fantastic, the throating is perfect, twist and mag box length are great, the action functions very nicely, the trigger is one of the best Timney’s I’ve ever felt, the stock is stiff, and the scope mount spacing options are nice. And the barrel shoots awesome.

I prefer the Kimber’s trigger, CRF action, safety, and the ambidextrous stock ergos.

How does it balance?

What I've noticed, and by far the biggest difference between my Nula and every other lightweight rifle I've owned (including my Forbes) is the balance. The Tikka was the worst for being way too light in the muzzle, followed by the Sako Finnlite, the Kimber and Forbes (and my m70 featherweight) are nice, but the Nula is so well balanced it's almost unbelievable, making freehand shots much easier to shoot accurately.

I'd like to handle one of those Barrett's just to feel the balance.

Jordan Smith · #16 10-10-2017, 09:54 AM

It balances 1/8” in front of the front action screw with a scope mounted. Balance point would be slightly further forward without the scope.

BigJon · #17 10-10-2017, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

We all know heavy rifles that handle like light rifles because they are nose light. Light nose light rifles are worse. Melvin Forbes solved that problem in the mid 80's by making the stock and receiver light so he could put a # 2 barrel on it. Thus making a light rifle handle like a sporting weight rifle. It's 2017 and no one else can figure that out it seems.

I hear what you're saying and would definitely want to handle the s/a before ordering one sight unseen but the l/a has a larger contour and I think that one would balance and handle nicely, just by looking at the numbers.

Things I have learned with rifles is that when seeking a very lightweight package, all around shootability diminishes. I look at it as a trade off. Perhaps spending some time with one of Melvin Forbes rifles would change that.

jayquiver · #18 11-29-2017, 03:48 PM

any other updates/reviews on the Barrett Feildcraft from owners?

I've been looking at them closer. The 24" barrels seem to have a #2 barrel contour as opposed to the 21" barrels with have a #0 barrel contour.

I am specifically looking at the 6.5x55

cowmanbob · #19 11-29-2017, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayquiver

any other updates/reviews on the Barrett Feildcraft from owners?

I've been looking at them closer. The 24" barrels seem to have a #2 barrel contour as opposed to the 21" barrels with have a #0 barrel contour.

I am specifically looking at the 6.5x55

Where are you finding them?

jayquiver · #20 11-29-2017, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowmanbob

Where are you finding them?

Wolverine Supplies has a 270 in stock. I would order one.

Patrickn · #21 08-08-2018, 12:02 AM

Just wanted to bump this thread to see if there’s any more feedback on the fieldcrafts? I’m more interested in the long actions with the 24” #2 contour barrels. Anybody else pick one of these up, and if so what are your thoughts?

Also seems like not many places are stocking the Barretts. I’m only seeing Precision Optics and Wolverine Supplies. Anyone else carrying them?

marxman · #22 08-08-2018, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

We all know heavy rifles that handle like light rifles because they are nose light. Light nose light rifles are worse. Melvin Forbes solved that problem in the mid 80's by making the stock and receiver light so he could put a # 2 barrel on it. Thus making a light rifle handle like a sporting weight rifle. It's 2017 and no one else can figure that out it seems.

thats what was wrong with my howa mini x39. it had a hogue stock and a tiny barrel and was too twitchy it felt all wrong offhand. i sold it i shoulda got the standard barrel id still have it