well I saw the Howa Axiom, it looks like a nice bolt action, but is also kinda tactical which is what I am used to. I am looking at the camo version and ive seen it called a varmint rifle, chambered in .243.

Howa makes Actions for Weatherby, their carmint version just uses a heavier barrel. I think it is a good choice.

Accuracy isn't really helped in easily-quantifiable ways with bull barrels for hunting. What it helps with is rigidity and not heating up as fast at the expense of longer cooling. Don't get me wrong; they can't help but dampen shock due to more mass. And I can iterate theoretical reasons for benefit. But there are benchrest shooters using pencil barrels wrapped in carbon fiber for magnum calibers. You could make a better case for action bedding/barrel floating than merely sticking a big pipe on the end.

Barrels are a crapshoot (literally AND figuratively), and a factory bull barrel is nothing more than a barrel blank that wasn't contoured as heavily as a sporter profile. Something you will notice is how the rifle balances relative to a sporter model.

If the price is right and you like the look, no reason not to get one. I've got one rifle with a varmint contour, and one custom barrel on the way. But they are for overpressure magnum rounds that really heat up bores. My .25/06 has a sporter contour.

Ok, I understand what you mean. It makes a great deal more sense when its put that way. I can't really think of any questions that haven't been answered so i guess Im done, for now. If anyone else wants to add anything feel free to go ahead. Thanks guys. I will keep an eye out for new additions to this thread.

7mm08