Barrel Length question
- Thread starter powdergun
- Start date
powdergun said:
An indication of caliber wiould be helpful. Longer barrels are not more accurate than short ones, but they allow for higher velocities with the correct cartridge and barrel length. So for example a 20" 223 Rem barrel may do fine for you, but the same length barrel in a 300WM would not be a good choice.
600 m's is well within a 308's effective range and that particular cartridge fairs well in shorter barrels, however the extra velocity you get from a 26" barrel will make the rifle more forgiving in windage and elevation and that may off-set the advantage of a shorter stiffer barrel.
From what I have read, (See Varmintal.com "barrel harmonics") a shorter heavy barrel is far more stiff and resistant to vibration. The downside of course (if you're super picky) is that velocity is slightly lower- maybe 200fps, not a big deal..
I too am looking at the same rifle and considering the difference.
The shorter barrel may also be more forgiving of different ammunition resulting in improved grouping capability.
Come on you reloading guys- lets hear it from you that know, after all there must be a reason for the popular 24 and 26" lengths- is there??
I too am looking at the same rifle and considering the difference.
The shorter barrel may also be more forgiving of different ammunition resulting in improved grouping capability.
Come on you reloading guys- lets hear it from you that know, after all there must be a reason for the popular 24 and 26" lengths- is there??
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Sorry to say but the 308 is ballistically challenged compared to other cartridges and cals. I would want as much muzzle velocity as possible so would get a 26" barrel if it did not hinder portability.
The differences in harmonics due to barrel length is pretty academic in a production rifle. There are simply way more variables that can affect accuracy at this level of gun. Most will reload anyways so tuning becomes a load tweak.
For a hunting rifle, I lean towards the shorter barrel as I hate to drag a long pipe through the woods and a shot beyond 350yds is rare anyways. For a range rifle, longer better. I want to cheat that wind as much as possible and 200fps makes a huge difference at extended distance. An extra minute of wind drift is a couple of scoring rings at 600yds. Oops, misjudged the wind - you loose.
Remember that many 308 bullets can hit the transonic range at 800 to 1000yds if muzzle velocity is too low. Accuracy can go for a dump if that happens. The cartridge is marginal (depending on bullet) when going full tilt, why hinder it anymore?
If you haven't bought the rifle yet, consider the 243 and 7RM and 25-06. Too bad they don't make a 7-08.
Jerry
The differences in harmonics due to barrel length is pretty academic in a production rifle. There are simply way more variables that can affect accuracy at this level of gun. Most will reload anyways so tuning becomes a load tweak.
For a hunting rifle, I lean towards the shorter barrel as I hate to drag a long pipe through the woods and a shot beyond 350yds is rare anyways. For a range rifle, longer better. I want to cheat that wind as much as possible and 200fps makes a huge difference at extended distance. An extra minute of wind drift is a couple of scoring rings at 600yds. Oops, misjudged the wind - you loose.
Remember that many 308 bullets can hit the transonic range at 800 to 1000yds if muzzle velocity is too low. Accuracy can go for a dump if that happens. The cartridge is marginal (depending on bullet) when going full tilt, why hinder it anymore?
If you haven't bought the rifle yet, consider the 243 and 7RM and 25-06. Too bad they don't make a 7-08.
Jerry
The two main reasons for long barrels on target rifles (30 inch) is for velocity and for longer sight radius. There are even guys putting 10-12 inch bloop tube on rifles to get the front sight out to where they can focus on it.
maynard said:
I don't think we're talking about the specialized DCRA style target rifles here. That being said, a 26" tube will outperform a 20" tube on the range in almost all LR situations. For hunting, I'd take a 20" standard (read skinny) barrel any time
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
1shot said:
I remember Warren Page saying in The Accurate Rifle that, given all the givens, a shorter barrel of the same weight as a longer barrel will be stiffer ergo less succeptible to barrel vibration and thus more accurate. It's a good book with lots of good theory, even if the actualy data is somewhat outdated. It's a good read, for sure.
My 10FPLE2B has a 26" barrel and I think the extra bit of velocity can't hurt. Especially when you're talking about less than max loads that usually produce the best accuracy. I don't think there's anything intrinsically more accurate about a long barrel, but I fail to see a good use of a short barrel, except in the bush.
well if the barrel is not a piece dung. If you don't load your own you are talking into the wind plus if you can't touch the trigger right well you are lost.
Your mind most and I mean most be on this (.)that is not a butt hole it is the smallest thing you see other words the smaller the target the tighter the smaller the group I can hit a dime at 100 yd with a 7mm tcu14 in. off a rest.
I am telling it is a lot of practice. Good Luck. ps burn power it works
Your mind most and I mean most be on this (.)that is not a butt hole it is the smallest thing you see other words the smaller the target the tighter the smaller the group I can hit a dime at 100 yd with a 7mm tcu14 in. off a rest.
I am telling it is a lot of practice. Good Luck. ps burn power it works
J
JoeP's old business account
Guest
26" gets my vote for range use.
