3 inches barrel difference

David L

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i'm looking to buy a 416 ruger. 2 models available one 20 inches and the other 23.
Will i loose a lot with the 20 inches?
 
Ask your wife.

Seriously, you'll lose a bit but likely not enough to worry about. There was talk in the early days of difficulty with the wood stocked version and recoil splitting stocks but I imagine that has either been sorted out or a good glass bedding job would solve it.

I'd be inclined to go with the 20" version for carry ability.
 
Nothing wrong with putting the muzzle blast a bit further away either...

I had an 18.5" Model Seven in .308 that was pretty voracious. My 22" .30-06 Featherweight feels mild compared to that rifle and it's only a little heavier. Perhaps I'm more sensitive to muzzle blast than others.
 
There can be a wide range of velocities difference because of a ton of variables.

I have measured from 15-40 with 20 ft/sec being most realistic average.

You can have the same rifle same specs, same ammo, same barrel length and have differences so really, does the theory even add up to make a practical difference?

The game won't know.

But like others have said, a carrying rifle 3" shorter , that is much more comfortable to tote and point.

Mind you, if you shoot like me 3" closer to the game can't hurt. :redface:
 
I have a Ruger Alakan in .375 Ruger with the 20" barrel. It's an awesome rifle to carry. It's not like the .416 Ruger is a long range cartridge and you need to squeeze every last FPS out of it.
 
I have a Ruger Alakan in .375 Ruger with the 20" barrel. It's an awesome rifle to carry. It's not like the .416 Ruger is a long range cartridge and you need to squeeze every last FPS out of it.

.416/400gr bullet at 2400 flies pretty similar to the .308/180gr at 2800. But you're right, 2400 or 2325 makes no nevermind.
 
Considering the type of game and type of hunting a 416 is suited to, I'd go with the 20". I have one in 375 Ruger, and it handles like a dream.
 
Aside from the velocity perhaps you should try shouldering both. At one time I owned a 35 Whelen with a 26" barrel. Lots of guys said it would hang up in the bush (never) and be a burden to carry (never was). What I liked about it was how smooth it was to hold and shoot offhand. Velocity is one consideration but pointing and shooting is another. Just my opinion.
 
Aside from the velocity perhaps you should try shouldering both. At one time I owned a 35 Whelen with a 26" barrel. Lots of guys said it would hang up in the bush (never) and be a burden to carry (never was). What I liked about it was how smooth it was to hold and shoot offhand. Velocity is one consideration but pointing and shooting is another. Just my opinion.

I agree with this opinion. Folks are always saying the 18" Guide is handier than my 22" 444S. I simply don't agree. Subsistence hunters from an earlier time often preferred long barrelled rifles over carbines. Our forefathers hunted some wild country with flintlocks as long a teenager. My little Lee Enfield sure blasts away. The powder may be burnt in the first few inches but the pressure lasts for the length of the barrel I believe. A 22 rimfire burns up its little powder charge quick but the barrel seems to reach optimum length somewhere around 16-18 inches from reports. Surely a 416 is still well pressured at any reasonable length barrel.

My vote is for the longer barrelled rifle.
 
my rifles for hunting 300 yards and under are 18.5 to 19" (.303,.308, .338F). Wouldn't change a thing.
I don't own a .416 but sounds like it might be a mighty fine package with a handy 20" barrel ;)
 
Wikipedia said:
The modern usage of the term carbine covers much the same scope as it always had, namely lighter weapons (generally rifles) with barrels less than 457.2 mm (18.00 in). These weapons can be considered carbines, while rifles with barrels of 457.2 mm (18.00 in) or more are generally not considered carbines unless specifically named so, and depending on the weapon's power.

Wikpedia thinks carbines end at 18" in modern usage. I thought it would be 20" but the AR15 rifle is 20" so maybe they are right.
 
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