If you're looking to build or upgrade a precision rifle, barrel contour is one of those things that really matters. Two of the most popular choices among shooters are the MTU and M24 barrel contours. But what's the real difference between them, and which one should you pick?
I've spent time researching both profiles, talking to shooters, and looking at the specs. In this guide, I'll break down everything you need to know about mtu vs m24 barrel contour so you can make the right choice for your shooting needs.
What is a Barrel Contour Anyway?
Before we jump into comparing these two, let's talk about what barrel contour actually means. Simply put, it's the shape and thickness of your rifle barrel from the chamber to the muzzle. The contour affects how your rifle handles, how it shoots, and how long it takes to heat up.
Thicker barrels are usually more stable and accurate because they resist vibration better. They also take longer to heat up during rapid fire. But they're heavier too, which might not be great if you're carrying your rifle around all day.
Thinner barrels are lighter and easier to carry, but they heat up faster and might not be as stiff.
Understanding the MTU Barrel Contour
The MTU (Match Target Ultra) contour was designed with competition shooters in mind. It's a heavy barrel profile that stays pretty thick along most of its length.
This barrel profile became popular in benchrest and long-range competitions where accuracy is everything and weight isn't as much of a concern. You'll often see MTU contours on rifles that sit on bipods or rests.
The extra mass helps with heat dissipation and keeps the barrel more rigid during the shot cycle. This means your point of impact stays more consistant even when the barrel gets hot.
Understanding the M24 Barrel Contour
The M24 contour comes from the military sniper rifle of the same name. It was designed to balance accuracy with practicallity. The M24 is lighter than the MTU but still substantial enough to deliver good accuracy.
This profile tapers more from the chamber to the muzzle, which saves weight where it matters most (at the front of the rifle). Military snipers need rifles they can carry for long periods, so the M24 was designed with that in mind.
Many precision rifle shooters who need to move around or hunt with their rifles prefer the M24 contour because it offers a good compromise.
MTU vs M24 Barrel Contour: Detailed Comparison Table
| Feature | MTU Contour | M24 Contour |
| Weight | Heavier (typically 5-6 lbs) | Moderate (typically 4-5 lbs) |
| Diameter at Muzzle | Larger (.900"+ typical) | Smaller (.750"-.850" typical) |
| Stiffness | Very stiff | Moderately stiff |
| Heat Dissipation | Excellent | Good |
| Mobility | Limited due to weight | Better for field use |
| Primary Use | Competition, benchrest | Tactical, hunting, competition |
| Point of Impact Shift | Minimal when hot | Slightly more than MTU |
| Balance | Front-heavy | More balanced |
| Cost | Similar to M24 | Similar to MTU |
| Best For | Stationary shooting | General precision work |
Weight Differences That Actually Matter
When we talk about mtu vs m24 barrel contour, weight is probably the biggest practical difference you'll notice.
An MTU barrel in a typical caliber like .308 Winchester will weigh around 5 to 6 pounds. That might not sound like much, but remember this is just the barrel. Add in your action, stock, scope, and accessories, and you're looking at a pretty heavy rifle.
The M24 contour typically comes in around 4 to 5 pounds for the same length. That one pound difference might seem small, but it adds up when you're carrying the rifle or holding it in position for extended periods.
For pure benchrest shooting where the rifle sits on a rest all day? The MTU's extra weight isn't a problem. In fact, some shooters prefer the added mass because it helps manage recoil.
For hunting or tactical situations where you might need to move positions? The M24's lighter weight becomes a real advantage.
Stiffness and Accuracy Considerations
Barrel stiffness directly affects accuracy. A stiffer barrel vibrates less when you fire a shot, and that means more consistent bullet exit timing.
The MTU barrel contour wins here because of its greater mass and diameter. The thicker profile resists whip and vibration better than the M24. In practical terms, this can mean slightly smaller groups, especially when shooting multiple rounds quickly.
That said, the M24 is no slouch. It's still plenty stiff for most shooting applications. The difference in accuracy between these two contours is pretty small for most shooters. We're talking about potential differences that might matter in competition but won't be noticeable in hunting or tactical scenarios.
If you're shooting for tiny groups at 1000 yards in F-class competition, the MTU might give you a slight edge. For hunting deer at 400 yards or shooting tactical matches, the M24 will do everything you need.
Heat Management During Strings of Fire
Here's where things get interesting. When you fire multiple shots quickly, your barrel heats up. As it heats up, the metal expands and can shift your point of impact.
The MTU contour handles heat better because there's simply more metal to absorb and dissipate that heat. In competitions where you might fire 10 or 20 rounds in a string, the MTU will stay cooler longer and maintain its point of impact better.
The M24 will heat up faster because there's less mass. This doesn't mean it's inaccurate, but you might notice your groups opening up a bit more as the barrel gets hot.
For hunting, this usually doesn't matter. You're typically taking one or two shots with plenty of time between them. The barrel never gets hot enough for this to be an issue.
Handling and Balance in the Field
Pick up a rifle with an MTU contour and the first thing you'll notice is how front-heavy it feels. All that weight out front makes the rifle want to nose-dive.
For shooting off a bipod or rest, this isn't really a problem. Some shooters even like it because the weight helps the rifle track smoothly and settle back down after recoil.
But try to shoot offhand or from weird positions, and that front-heavy balance becomes a real issue. The rifle is harder to hold steady without support.
The M24 contour balances better because the taper reduces weight toward the muzzle. This makes the rifle more manueverable and easier to shoot from various positions.
If you're building a rifle that needs to be versatile, the M24's balance is a significant advantage.
Best Applications for Each Contour
Let me break down when each barrel contour really shines:
MTU Contour is best for:
- Benchrest competition shooting
- F-Class and other precision rifle competitions
- Range guns that stay on the bench
- Situations where maximum accuracy is the only priority
- Shooting sports with high round counts per string
M24 Contour is best for:
- Precision hunting rifles
- Tactical and police sniper rifles
- PRS (Precision Rifle Series) competition
- Any application requiring mobility
- General-purpose precision rifles
Price Comparison and Availability
Good news here – pricing for mtu vs m24 barrel contour options is pretty similar. You're not paying a premium for one over the other in most cases.
Quality match-grade barrels in either contour from manufacturers like Bartlein, Krieger, or Proof Research will run you anywhere from $350 to $600 depending on the brand, length, and any special features.
Both contours are readily available from major barrel manufacturers. You won't have trouble finding blanks or pre-fit barrels in either profile.
Some manufacturers might have slightly different lead times for specific contours, but generally speaking, availability is good for both.
Real World Performance: What Shooters Actually Experience
I've talked to quite a few shooters who've used both contours, and here's what most of them say:
The accuracy difference in real-world shooting is minimal. Both contours will shoot sub-MOA groups easily with good ammunition. The MTU might give you slightly smaller groups on paper, but we're talking about differences that are hard to measure outside of a benchrest setup.
The biggest difference people notice is in how the rifle handles. Guys who shoot mostly from a bench or prone with a bipod prefer the MTU. They like the stability and how the rifle doesn't move around as much.
Shooters who move around, shoot from barricades, or hunt in rough terrain almost always prefer the M24. The lighter weight and better balance make a huge difference when you're not shooting from a perfect setup.
Which Barrel Contour Should You Choose?
Here's my honest take on choosing between mtu vs m24 barrel contour:
Choose the MTU if:
- You're building a dedicated competition rifle for benchrest or F-Class
- The rifle will primarily be shot from a rest or bipod
- You want absolute maximum accuracy potential
- Weight isn't a concern for your application
- You shoot high volume strings where heat management matters
Choose the M24 if:
- You're building a hunting rifle
- You need to carry your rifle significant distances
- You shoot from various positions and need good balance
- You want one rifle that can do multiple things well
- You're building a tactical or police sniper rifle
For most shooters, I think the M24 is the smarter choice. It gives up very little in accuracy while being much more practical and versatile. Unless you're serious about benchrest competition or similar disciplines, the M24 will serve you better.
Key Takeaways
- The MTU contour is heavier and stiffer, offering slightly better accuracy and heat management
- The M24 contour is lighter and balances better, making it more practical for field use
- Both contours are capable of excellent accuracy for most shooting applications
- Your intended use should drive your decision more than theoretical accuracy differences
- Price and availability are similar for both contours
- The MTU excels in stationary, high-volume shooting scenarios
- The M24 is more versatile for hunting, tactical work, and mobile shooting
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more accurate, MTU or M24 barrel contour?
The MTU is technically more accurate due to its greater stiffness, but the difference is small. In real-world shooting, both contours will deliver sub-MOA accuracy. The MTU's advantage shows up mainly in competition benchrest scenarios where every tiny bit counts.
Can I use an MTU contour for hunting?
You can, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you're hunting from a blind or stand where you don't need to carry the rifle far. The extra weight makes it tiring to carry through the field and harder to shoot from unconventional positions.
Does barrel length affect the difference between these contours?
Yes, longer barrels amplify the differences. A 26-inch MTU will be significantly heavier than a 26-inch M24. Shorter barrels (20 inches or less) reduce the weight gap somewhat but maintain the same general characteristics.
Will either contour work for PRS competition?
The M24 is actually more popular in PRS because you need to move between positions and shoot from barricades. The better balance and lighter weight help in these dynamic shooting situations. The MTU is less common in PRS for this reason.
How much does barrel contour affect rifle build cost?
The barrel itself costs about the same regardless of contour. However, an MTU contour might require a heavier stock or chassis to properly support the weight, which could add to overall build cost.
Final Verdict: MTU vs M24 Barrel Contour
After comparing everything about mtu vs m24 barrel contour, here's my bottom line:
The M24 contour is the better choice for about 80% of precision rifle shooters. It offers excellent accuracy, reasonable weight, good balance, and versatility. Whether you're hunting, shooting tactical matches, or just having fun at the range, it does everything well.
The MTU contour is the right choice if you're serious about competition benchrest or F-Class shooting where you need every possible advantage and weight isn't a factor. It's also good if you're building a dedicated range gun that will never leave the bench.
Both are quality barrel profiles with proven track records. You really can't go wrong with either one as long as you match the contour to your intended use.
Think about how you'll actually use the rifle most often, and that should make your decision pretty clear. Don't overthink it – pick the one that fits your shooting style, and then focus on practicing with it. That'll make way more difference than the contour ever will.
For more insights on precision shooting and rifle building, check out justaskgenie where we cover all aspects of shooting sports and equipment.