Barrel length debate.

How long of barrel do you prefer ?

  • 16.5

    Votes: 12 5.9%

  • 18

    Votes: 16 7.8%

  • 20

    Votes: 37 18.1%

  • 22

    Votes: 67 32.8%

  • 24

    Votes: 43 21.1%

  • 26

    Votes: 29 14.2%
  • Total voters
    204
Canadiankeeper

Canadiankeeper

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
61   0   0
Location
Alberta
Got into a good back and fourth on barrel length for coyote guns with a buddy today after saying a Rem 700 SPS SPS Tac AAC-SD would be a good coyote gun.

He was on the side of you always need more barrel length. I said why when 90% of shots are under 300 yards?

So assuming we are using the common yote cals (22-250, 223, 243) what barrel length of rifle do you prefer?

Do you like to try and stretch it out and make sure its hard hitting or do you like to call em up close for an in your face surprise ?
 
My 223 has a 22" barrel, I find it to be a good compromise between handiness, balance and performance. Extra few inches wouldn't bug me any though.
 
Last edited:
I use a 22" on my 2506. The 250 savages im building will have a 16.5" and the other will be 22"
My next 2506 barrel will be 26" though. I hunt open hardwoods and field edges. A shorter gun helps me move easier frm concealment.
 
For the light high velocity cartridges mostly associated with shooting dogs I prefer a 22-24". If a guy is setting up and calling, why not a longer barrel? It's not going to have any disadvantages and one may as well get the most from their selected cartridge. I like short guns for horseback, canoe, Argo etc, where handiness is a true attribute.
 
Lame, no 14? And 16.5? what is this the USA? Next custom barrel is gonna be 16, great for in the brush.
 
brybenn said:
I use a 22" on my 2506. The 250 savages im building will have a 16.5" and the other will be 22"
My next 2506 barrel will be 26" though. I hunt open hardwoods and field edges. A shorter gun helps me move easier frm concealment.
Click to expand...

Yea, open fields and field edges for me also. The odd one will pop out farther down or across the field.. Not often though generally I know where he will poke out and set up accordingly.

c-fbmi said:
For the light high velocity cartridges mostly associated with shooting dogs I prefer a 22-24". If a guy is setting up and calling, why not a longer barrel? It's not going to have any disadvantages and one may as well get the most from their selected cartridge. I like short guns for horseback, canoe, Argo etc, where handiness is a true attribute.
Click to expand...

Very true, some guys dont like to carry the long heavy barrel rifles.

Dosing said:
Lame, no 14? And 16.5? what is this the USA? Next custom barrel is gonna be 16, great for in the brush.
Click to expand...

Standard AR length is it not ? Im not an ar guy lol

Sorry didn't know anyone who blasted yotes with guns that short.
 
I've used rifles for yotes with barrel lengths everywhere from 16.5" up to 26".

The yotes never knew any different. In most situations you won't either.

That being said, I voted for 22". For some reason the rifles I find myself using the most all have 22" barrels. Never really planned it that way but they just seem to balance and perform well.

Even my 25-06, the rifle I use the most, has a 22" barrel

EDIT: 22" for bolt action
18.5" for scary semi-auto evil black coyote slaying rifles
 
Last edited:
with the modern fast burning powders, you can create an accurate rifle with a short barrel...with the proper twist.

my biggest concern would be maintaining balance, so it doesn't become clumsy or awkward. how would you compensate for that?
 
Mr. Friendly said:
with the modern fast burning powders, you can create an accurate rifle with a short barrel...with the proper twist.

my biggest concern would be maintaining balance, so it doesn't become clumsy or awkward. how would you compensate for that?
Click to expand...

I think most use bipods or shooting sticks ect to hold the rifle.
 
Shorter barrels are fine. The most velocity I ever lost in chopping was a 22-250AI going from 26" to 22 1/2". With 75 grain bullets I lost 120 fps. Big whoop.

I like 22-23" barrels, never over 24".
 
This is silly. Barrel length is a reflection of what the gun is used for. A 3 inch barrel on a 9mm hideout gun is appropriate, as is a 3 foot barrel on a long range target rifle that's chambered for a Cheytac cartridge. Cartridges with massive overbore capacities need long barrels in order to exploit their advantage over standard capacity cartridges. Carbines that are chambered for pistol cartridges, need not be as long as those chambered for the 5.56, if both are to utilize their velocity potential. Some folks prefer the long sighting radius of 36" barrels when pass shooting high flying geese in a field, but handier 26" guns are more appropriate when small game hunting in a woodlot. General purpose big game rifles are commonly encountered with 22" medium weight barrels, but to maintain a slight muzzle heavy balance, a mountain rifle sporting a very light contour barrel, cannot use a reduced length as a weight saving measure, without becoming clubby. The stiffness of the barrel has an effect on accuracy, so in circumstances where maximum velocity is unimportant, short barrels are preferred for their greater stiffness, relative to longer barrels with the same contour. So in answer to the question, I like long barrels, except when I need a short barrel.
 
Last edited:
I voted 24", but it would really depend on the rifle set up i.e. sporter weight barrel VS varmint weight barrel, etc. Like most others, I don't think the barrel length is going to make a lot of difference in the field as far as performance goes, but hunting rig balance, weight, stand hunting VS walking, etc., all would weigh as part of my choice.
 
Boomer said:
This is silly. Barrel length is a reflection of what the gun is used for. A 3 inch barrel on a 9mm hideout gun is appropriate, as is a 3 foot barrel on a long range target rifle that's chambered for a Cheytac cartridge. Cartridges with massive overbore capacities need long barrels in order to exploit their advantage over standard capacity cartridges. Carbines that are chambered for pistol cartridges, need not be as long as those chambered for the 5.56, if both are to utilize their velocity potential. Some folks prefer the long sighting radius of 36" barrels when pass shooting high flying geese in a field, but handier 26" guns are more appropriate when small game hunting in a woodlot. General purpose big game rifles are commonly encountered with 22" medium weight barrels, but to maintain a slight muzzle heavy balance, a mountain rifle sporting a very light contour barrel, cannot use a reduced length as a weight saving measure, without becoming clubby. The stiffness of the barrel has an effect on accuracy, so in circumstances where maximum velocity is unimportant, short barrels are preferred for their greater stiffness, relative to longer barrels with the same contour. So in answer to the question, I like long barrels, except when I need a short barrel.
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing. Kinda like asking "Is it farther to China or by boat?" For a coyote calling rifle or a "walking varminter" sure, 22" 223 is great. Would I want that on an rifle used to kick doors? Hell no. Would I want a 14" barrel on a LR rig? Hell no again! For open-country hunting rifles I like longer barrels. But we're not always hunting in open country, are we?

Too many variables.
 
I notice the OP is in Ontario, not sure how rural of an area, but my 20" 223 was louder than my 22" 22-250. Where I'm at we hunt where houses are nearby. I prefer 18-20" for in and out of the truck between pushes, but 22" seems to be a happy compromise. I dislike barrels over 24"
 
I have 3 243's right now, with 18.5, 22. and 24" bbls. and they right for what the rifles are set up to do.

The 22" is the one I carry the most for open area hunting.
The 24" it's just to heavy to carry any distance.
18.5 incher is great for bush.
Average them out and I am at 21.5"

David
 
Mr. Friendly said:
with the modern fast burning powders, you can create an accurate rifle with a short barrel...with the proper twist.

my biggest concern would be maintaining balance, so it doesn't become clumsy or awkward. how would you compensate for that?
Click to expand...

Short barrels, all things being equal, will be more accurate than a longer one. Powder is also consumed long before the projectile reaches the muzzle. Fast or slow.
 
I voted 18" due to i love a 36-38" long carbine style rifle. Also hunting in nova scotia where shots are most often 50-100m in the woods. And i hike more then shoot while hunting. I have 6 rifles ive build with 18"barrels. 25-20, 38-40, 44-40, 6.5x55, 43mauser and 303 british.(all but the 43 use a lee metford or enfield action) I load for them all so i use powders that are on the faster side for the round.

I dont mind the velocity loss as im shooting normaly less then 100m.

But im not opposed to long barrels when needed. My f-class rifle has a 30" bull contour 284win barrel.
 
I prefer 24" barrels for most uses, but concede that a 22" is handier in some circumstances, and gives up little,
particularly in some chamberings like the 308.
However, for large capacity, smaller bore Magnums [up to 8mm] I prefer a 26" tube to get the most out of them.
Dave.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom