Barrel Length Opinion

cdn shooter said:
Oh I see where you're going...then I'll also recommend that he ups his protein intake and gets a couple more cardio sessions in every week.
Click to expand...

I did crunching the The numbers I will probably wind up going to an ultralight rifle down the road but the big Gaines is in equipment and my own gut, I'm down 10 lbs now and a nother 25 lbs off my gut will be good this is wear I have put my Energy into
that's over 55 lbs weight savings between equipment and my gut going up a Mountain that's A lot of weight
 
Last edited:
I have two browning A-bolts chambered in 284win, one has a 20" the other has a 22" .
Average velocity with IMR 4350 55.3 gr and a 139 gr hornady btsp.
20" barrel = 2793
22" barrel = 2835 - 42 fps diff.
Average velocity with IMR4831 57.7gr 139 gr bullet.
20" barrel = 2787
22" barrel = 2892 - 105 fps diff.
 
pete dobinson said:
I have two browning A-bolts chambered in 284win, one has a 20" the other has a 22" .
Average velocity with IMR 4350 55.3 gr and a 139 gr hornady btsp.
20" barrel = 2793
22" barrel = 2835 - 42 fps diff.
Average velocity with IMR4831 57.7gr 139 gr bullet.
20" barrel = 2787
22" barrel = 2892 - 105 fps diff.
Click to expand...

Great real experience info. Thanks Peter.
 
Twenty inches is enough barrel. Two inches more will be better in some circumstances. The decision should be made according to the circumstances in which you will use it, and no one knows them better than you. I suspect if you flip a coin you'll either get a good result or a better one.
 
I'm in the process of putting together a 6.5 Lapua,I went with the 20.
Loss of FPS is minimal and from my understanding,should only effect the bullits when it changes from from supersonic to subsonic.
Which shouldn't happen until at least 1000 yards+. (For my rifle).
So,as I'm only shooting targets less than that,the20 should be fine.
And any hunting will be at 300 yards or less.

As for hearing,I wear protection while Targett shooting.

But I've also used a 7mm ,26 inch barrel,in the thick bush.And had no bad experiences.
 
TrevorMack said:
Thanks for all the opinions guys, decided on going with a 22'' #2 modified contour.
Click to expand...

That is a smart choice especially if you end up some day hunting moose or elk somewhere as it will handle those heavier bullets better too.
This option can be important. My son's daughter shot a large bull elk between the eyes at 35 yards a couple years ago with a 140 grain Barnes out of a Rem 700 SPS with a 20 inch barrel. The bullet did not even penetrate the braincase even though it hit at an entirely appropriately square angle. He still dropped on the spot and she moved close and shot him once more for safety sake...then later they found what had happened. (bullets chronographed at 2825 fps)

He tried several heavier bullet loads and found the short barrel did not give the level of velocity he wanted so relegated it to deer hunting only and uses a 30/06 now. The kids sill soon have shot the barrel out on that 7mm-08 and I expect him to rebarrel with a 22 or 24 inch barrel and work up 162 grain ELD-X loads for it and settle it down in a Bell and Carlson Medalist stock.

The result will be plenty light enough for young girls (14 to 17) to pack around all day hunitng elk with their dad or their grandpa (me).
 
Last edited:
Lots of opinions on this topic. Personally, I'd stick to a 24" barrel to get the most out of the caliber, and go with a lighter contour and fluting. Everything is a trade off, eh? But you mentioned sheep hunting, where long shots (300 to 400 yds) are often the only chance you'll have. At those ranges, with a 7mm-08, you'll want all the edge in your favor you can get. I doubt you'll notice an ounce or two difference on the way up to where those rams live.

FWIW.
 
Ron AKA said:
The 7-08 is one of the most under powered 7mm cartridges out there. It has less case capacity than the 284 Win, 280 Rem, and of course all the magnums. I would suggest using barrel length to make up for some that lack of power. 24-26" would be my choice. I've never noticed barrel length or a few oz of weight to be a problem when hunting.
Click to expand...

Thank you, sunray. No, please stop interrupting the adults.
 
For all those who say you'll never notice an ounce here or a few ounces there..........you have never backpack hunted for sheep and goats or you'd never be saying such tripe !!!!! On day one, each ounce is one ounce, on day three each ounce is a 1/2 pound and on day five packing out with a ram on board, each ounce feels like a Kg. Never, never discount each ounce you can shed from your gear, because on day five it MATTERS !!!!!
 
sir_springer said:
Lots of opinions on this topic. Personally, I'd stick to a 24" barrel to get the most out of the caliber, and go with a lighter contour and fluting. Everything is a trade off, eh? But you mentioned sheep hunting, where long shots (300 to 400 yds) are often the only chance you'll have. At those ranges, with a 7mm-08, you'll want all the edge in your favor you can get. I doubt you'll notice an ounce or two difference on the way up to where those rams live.

FWIW.
Click to expand...

Can't go to much lighter on the barrel #2 modified a bit to work better for my build. No fluting as they would be useless so light on a thin barrel
 
c-fbmi said:
For all those who say you'll never notice an ounce here or a few ounces there..........you have never backpack hunted for sheep and goats or you'd never be saying such tripe !!!!! On day one, each ounce is one ounce, on day three each ounce is a 1/2 pound and on day five packing out with a ram on board, each ounce feels like a Kg. Never, never discount each ounce you can shed from your gear, because on day five it MATTERS !!!!!
Click to expand...

You will not notice 1 ounce. End of discussion.

If I was looking for a 6lb gun, I'd look at a different platform as well.
 
Rman said:
Of course you would, but you're not.
A different platform?
Do tell? A 6 pound Model 70 would prove to be quite entertaining, spare parts and all.

R.
Click to expand...

I'm certainly not talking about a Model 70 either.

Tell us all about your Mountain hunting experience with your Mountain hunting rifles Rman.
 
hoytcanon said:
You're quite the literalist... you may not notice 1 ounce, but you will notice 1 ounce X 64 or X 164 etc... the ounces add up if the philosophy is applied to all gear and body.
Click to expand...

Another mountain hunter chimes in. This discussion is about whether or not to run a 22" or 20" barrel on a desired 6lb rifle. We are literally talking about an ounce. If that.
 
chuck nelson said:
I'm certainly not talking about a Model 70 either.

Tell us all about your Mountain hunting experience with your Mountain hunting rifles Rman.
Click to expand...

Not a Model 70? Why, who are you, and what have you done with Chuck?

What would you like to know Chuck?
Guided, Un-guided, Fly in fly out, Horses, Hikes, Climbs, Scrambles, Slips, Falls, All out wrecks, Maximum allowable weight specs on two legs, four, two wheels, four wheels, 6 wheels and more, 7 days, 10 days, 14 days, more? Alberta, BC, Alaska, Yukon, Quebec, Labrador, and even Texas?

And rifles? Ti, Steel, Pot Metal, fluted, machined, windowed, 20", 22", 24" and more. 6 pounds, 5.5 pounds, 7 pounds, even 8 pounds. Sako's Tikka's, Remingons, Ruggers, Pierce, hell, I think even a Browning went on a trip once. Sadly though, no Winchester Model 70's. Although a 94 has gone out a few times.

Perhaps it's best if you just share all of your experiences, no more than 100kms from your home, and less than 5kms away from your truck. That way people will better understand your point of view as to why ounces don't matter.

R.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom