.30-06 Barrel Lengths . . .

GunBlast

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I'm interested in buying a Remington 700 BDL rifle.

The .30-06 rifle comes in either a 22" barrel or 24" magnum barrel lengths.

Apart from (2) inches - what is the difference between these two barrel lengths in terms of performance?

What should I consider in choosing the length? I assume that the same ammo is used for both?


... GunBlast
 
There will be no real world difference in performance between the two in a hunting rifle. The 22 inch will be a bit lighter and less barrel heavy and the 24 inch probably will be a bit faster (50-60fps). I personally don't mind longer barrels and do not find them a handicap in the bush ( I hunt elk with a 26 inch Remington 300WM). Handle both rifles and see which feels best in your hands and choose accordingly. Enjoy your search for a new rifle.
 
In a 30-06, the practical difference in the field cannot be discerned.
I expect a good handload to deliver 2800 fps or a bit more with a 180 in a 24" barrel.
The 22" will usually deliver 2750 or a bit more, so no animal will know the difference.
Even the trajectory difference is not much.
Buy the one that feels best in your hands.
Regards, Eagleye.
 
I've got 20, 22 and 24s. For anything that I plan to do with a 30-06 the length doesn't matter much, since if it were a velocity issue I wouldn't take a 30-06 in the first place. Haveing said that, a 24" does have a more familiar feel, so I tend to go that way.
 
A little longer never hurts. If people describe a 21" pump gun as lively for grouse and rabbits, then I don't see how a 24" sporter is ungainly.

I don't like muzzle blast.
 
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