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With so many different options for rifle barrels these days, it can be overwhelming for a beginner. Two of the most popular types of barrels are the sporter and varmint. The main difference between the two really boils down to barrel thickness.
Which barrel you choose for your rifle depends mostly on how you plan to use it. Will you be sitting at a bench shooting targets at long distances? Will you be carrying your rifle through the woods for hours on end? Some of both perhaps?
This is a subject that can get very technical, but I will do my best to explain the differences at the beginner level.
What We Will Cover
How Barrel Profiles Differ Between The Sporter & Varmint
In general, sporter barrels will be lighter than varmint barrels. They achieve this by several methods. The first is called contour.
Contour is also called profile. Profile refers to the thickness of the barrel along different points. The thinnest barrel profile, #1, is a light sporter. The thickest barrel, #6, is called a heavy bull.
The lighter barrels usually have a taper or contour. As you move along the spectrum of profiles, the barrels taper less and less. Heavy barrels can be taperless or have a continuous taper from end to end.
What is a Sporter Barrel?
A sporter barrel is a rifle barrel that focuses on reducing weight because shooters will typically be carrying it for hunting. The weight of the barrel can be reduced in a number of ways. One is by tapering the barrel so it’s thickest where it attaches to the upper receiver and tapers as you travel toward the crown, the end of the barrel where the bullet exits.
Some barrels have a continuous contour, which means that the thickness decreases continuously from end to end. Others have a short area of contour, say two or three inches, and then the rest of the barrel is uniform in thickness.
Another way to reduce weight in a barrel is fluting. Fluting is done by cutting out excess thickness from the barrel. It can be done in unique patterns to be visually appealing, but the main benefit is reduced weight. Fluting does not affect the accuracy of the barrel, other than making it lighter and easier to aim.
One negative aspect of a sporter barrel is that it’s only designed to fire a few rounds at a time. Because the barrel is relatively thin, if you fire more than a few rounds at a time, the barrel will heat up and expand. This expansion can negatively affect accuracy. If it heats up too much, you could damage your barrel.
What is a Varmint Barrel?
A varmint barrel is a heavier and more accurate rifle barrel. It will hold a tighter group and hold a zero better. It’s typically used for varmint hunting (groundhog, coyote, etc.), or target shooting from a stationary position at longer ranges where a heavier, more accurate barrel is preferable.
Varmint barrels may have some contour, but not as much as sporter barrels. A sporter barrel, in comparison, gives up some accuracy in favor of a lighter barrel.
There are no exact differences between the sporter and varmint barrels. There can be some overlap. For instance, you can have a light varmint barrel or a heavy sporter, and they may be very similar.
One popular option recently is the light varmint profile. This barrel is lighter than a normal varmint barrel, but still thick enough to remain very accurate at long distances.
Because varmint barrels are thicker than sporter barrels, they can fire more rounds rapidly, such as in a semi-automatic rifle. The thicker barrel absorbs the heat better and does not expand as much as a thinner barrel. Accuracy is not affected as it is in a sporter barrel. A heavier barrel also absorbs vibration better, which will reduce recoil.
What will you use it for?
How you will most often use your rifle will determine which barrel is right for you.
Medium Game Hunting
For hunting North American game such as deer, you will want to bring a rifle with a sporter barrel. This is because you will often spend hours in the woods carrying your rifle before you get to take a shot.
You will want a rifle that’s as light as possible. Having a sporter barrel will be the best combination of light weight and medium range accuracy.
Varmint Hunting
As the name indicates, hunting varmint such as groundhog, prairie dog, coyote, or feral hog will best be done with a varmint barreled rifle. For most of those animals, the best way to hunt them is to find some high ground with open land around you and set up your firing position, either prone or supported.
Because you won’t be carrying your rifle long distances, and because of the longer ranges, hunting varmint requires a heavier barrel with better accuracy at long distance.
Target Shooting
Similar to varmint hunting, target shooting doesn’t require the shooter to carry their rifle long distances. For the most part you will be stationary, either in the prone position or seated at a bench.
This means that you can opt for a heavier barrel and get the most accuracy possible. If you do long range target shooting (think sniper), you will definitely want a heavier barrel.
Does barrel length matter?
Barrel length matters in the context of what you plan to do with your rifle. If you are looking for a sporter rifle to take on hunting trips deep into the woods, a shorter, thinner barrel will be lighter while still being accurate enough to hit your target. If you are hunting varmint, or target shooting, you can afford to go with a longer, heavier barrel.
The longer the barrel, the more accurate it will be at long distances. It will also have more velocity from a longer barrel, but only slightly. Velocity is more dependent on the type of ammunition you are using.
Two inches of barrel length or two pounds may not sound like a lot, but when you’re lugging a rifle through the woods, it makes a big difference.
An 18-inch barrel will be a lot more maneuverable in heavy woods than a 22-inch barrel. Likewise, a 9 lb rifle may seem like a breeze to carry, but a 12 lb rifle will have your arms aching after an hour of carrying it.
Is a Varmint Barrel more accurate than a Sporter Barrel?
Yes. There are several reasons that varmint rifle barrels are more accurate than sporter barrels. Heavier varmint barrels can absorb heat better than thin barrels, and will not expand the same as thin barrels. That expansion can seriously affect accuracy. Varmint barrels are also often longer, and longer barrels are more accurate than shorter barrels.
Which barrel is right for you?
As with many other things in life, deciding which barrel is right for you comes down to how you plan to use your rifle.
If you’re planning on heading into the woods for a hunting trip, you would be better off bringing a shorter rifle with a sporter barrel. It will be lighter to carry, and you won’t most likely need accuracy at long ranges.
If you’re hunting groundhogs, coyotes, feral hogs, or target shooting, you will need something that can be accurate at longer distances. The heavier varmint barrel is your choice. You won’t need to carry it far because varmint hunting is mostly stationary. For varmint and targets, accuracy is the deciding factor.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. You can find light varmint barrels that are a good hybrid of the two categories. If you’re a beginner, the more you shoot the better you will come to understand what type of barrel fits your needs.
If you find your arms getting tired on your hunts, you may want to opt for a lighter barrel. If you find that your accuracy suffers on longer shots, you might need to invest in a heavier barrel. It’s all about finding that sweet spot.
If possible, try out several different types of rifles and barrels before you purchase one of your own. See what feels good in your arms and which feels too heavy. Ask around the gun shop for advice. People love to talk about guns and will be glad to give you their $0.02.
