26" and 20" barrel
- Thread starter metoe
- Start date
What is the purpose of the gun? If bench accuracy is everything, then all else being equal, the 20'' barrel is likely to be more accurate, but no guarantee on this and the difference is small at most. If it is to be a long range critter killer, then perhaps the velocity difference becomes important and 26'' wins.
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The difference will be so small, it should come down to what you are most comfortable with. I find a shorter barrel easier to manage getting in and out of the truck cab. It's also nice to have the shorter barrel if your hiding in the grass or under a sheet in the snow...either way, both will be plenty accurate enough to do what you want to do. I say buy the one that you can get the best deal on and worry more about your optics.
- Location
- Virden, MB
Don't get a 26" version then. The 26" is so barrel heavy that its terrible to carry around the field. Neither one is going to be more accurate than the other. You will get more velocity out of the longer barrel and with a 12 twist you will be able to shoot thin, light bullets, making a bigger mess of the vermin. If you want to shoot heavy bullets the SPS tactical has a 9 twist so it will stabilize the heavier bullets giving it more range, but less velocity. 9 twist is a good happy medium because you can shoot light bullets in that without them peeling apart from the spin.
Good answer, that was helpful to me as well.
Length has nothing to do with accuracy, and a 1:12 will stabilize every bullet you can shoot reasonably out of a 308. Anything tighter than a 1:12 is just increasing pressures. 1:12 will easily stabilize all bullets up to 200 grains.
There is a very slight velocity loss when using the same load in a 20 vs a 26" barrel, but it is negligible.
There is a very slight velocity loss when using the same load in a 20 vs a 26" barrel, but it is negligible.
If you're going to be walking/hunting with it, go for the 20". If purely stand hunting or stationary position, you can go with the 26" if you like it better. Velocity loss due to the shorter barrel is negligible and will not have a discernable impact on most shooter's performance. The 20" barrel, being shorter and thus stiffer may offer a little better accuracy potential, all other things being equal. I own both 20", 24" and 26" Remington 700 VS, LTRs and Customs in a range of calibers, including .308, .223, .22-250 & 7mm Rem Mag. For standard calibers, the 20" is my choice for varmint hunting. My brother uses his LTR in .308 for moose hunting.
we're still talking 223 right?
get the 1-9 twist
with the 1-9 you will be able to shoot 40-69gr and maybe 75gr.
i'd also get the 26" barrel. you'll get more velocity and it will be much quiter. if it's already 10lbs with a scope what's another pound for the extra 6" of barrel?
on the other hand if the longest shot is gonna be 300 yards and you're shooting light bullets get the 20"
get the 1-9 twist
with the 1-9 you will be able to shoot 40-69gr and maybe 75gr.
i'd also get the 26" barrel. you'll get more velocity and it will be much quiter. if it's already 10lbs with a scope what's another pound for the extra 6" of barrel?
on the other hand if the longest shot is gonna be 300 yards and you're shooting light bullets get the 20"
that is right....
and....with 30% barrel length(weight) reduction you will have only 5-8% velocity drop.....
I just picked up a Savage with a 26 inch heavy barrel, can I just have a smith shorten and recrown the barrel and still be able to shoot accurately? Will it still have the right twist?
Depending on the crown the smith does it shouldn't change anything except loosing a few fps...
