Barrell Length

What should I be looking at to determine a more accurate rifle? I was looking at the Thompson Centre Icon Precision Hunter which has a 22 inch barrel. Nice looking gun but I was a little concerned that the barrel length is only 22 inches compared to some of the competition which uses 26 inch barrels.
 
Obtunded said:
barrel length has NOTHING to do with accuracy.
Click to expand...
I have to disagree. The comon knowledge is that when we look at the same barrel; the shorter it is the more accurate it is. Shorter is stiffer and flexes less. With 22-250 in mind anything less than 24" will cost you with to much muzle blast and velocity loss. Try to get quality barrel with as much heavy profile as practical.
 
i've heard a shorter barrel will remain more rigid once its heated up (less barrel whip).....but as far as i'm concerned in most cases the rifle is more acurate than the shooter anyways.
just my $.02
 
So would'nt barrel contour, play a larger factor in determining how much more accurate a barrel could be.

Meaning take a 22" #3 or #2 contour barrel, and put it up against a 26" #5 or #6 contour barrel.


I wonder rather out loud if the OP, actually is going to research optics, load development, bedding techniques, and shooting skill to the degree already shown in potential barrel accuracy.
 
Stiffness = more accurate.

I would get a heavy profile 26" barrel if you're getting a .22-250. If going with a 22" barrel, I'd sooner it be chambered in .223.
 
Obtunded said:
barrel length has NOTHING to do with accuracy.
Click to expand...

gunrunner8 said:
I have to disagree. The comon knowledge is that when we look at the same barrel; the shorter it is the more accurate it is. Shorter is stiffer and flexes less. With 22-250 in mind anything less than 24" will cost you with to much muzle blast and velocity loss. Try to get quality barrel with as much heavy profile as practical.
Click to expand...

Listen to Obtunded...this is his business (building ultra accurate, competition quality rifles and barrels) and he knows his business, inside and out. Furthermore, a couple of things...barrel length can affect velocity, ie a longer barrel CAN allow more velocity to be built, but it in of itself does not create a more accurate rifle...it just creates the ability to generate more velocity, and as a result carry more velocity (potentially) downrange. Accuracy of a particular rifle barrel hasn't got anything to do with the length of the barrel, it's got to do with the stiffness (WAY more as a result of contour than length)quality of materials and construction of the barrel. Also there is nothing wrong with a 22" barrel for a 22-250, there are TONS of larger rifles out there with 22" and shorter barrels on them, and people shoot them all the time just fine. As well, if you are going to go with a varmint contour or HB, you don't want a 26" barrel for something you aren't shooting off the bench, cause unless you load the stock with lead, the balance is going to suck.

Last but not least, very very few people carry a varmint rifle with a 26" barrel...it's simply not necessary, doesn't generally offer great balance, and a 22-250 doesn't have enough muzzle blast that a 24 or 22 should bother you...my vote is to go for a 22" or 24" the accuracy will be just as good, and you have a much more practical hunting rifle.
 
KDX said:
I think some of you may be referring to barrel harmonics.
Click to expand...
Yes, mostly about how to lower the amplitude within certain weight of barrel. While in planing stage when practical weight is decided there are only 3 ways to do it. Get the stronger, harder steel, go to tad bigger profile and shorten the one you have in mind or go to bigger profile jet and flute it. Also small weight saving trick is to make step down dia right in front of chamber which works for bottlenecked cartridges in the way european's do it.
 
Last edited:
gunrunner8 said:
Yes, mostly about how to lower the amplitude within certain weight of barrel. While in planing stage when practical weight is decided there are only 3 ways to do it. Get the stronger, harder steel, go to tad bigger profile and shorten the one you have in mind or go to bigger profile jet and flute it. Also small weight saving trick is to make step down dia right in front of chamber which works for bottlenecked cartridges in the way european's do it.
Click to expand...

http://varmintal.com/amode.htm

Plus a few dozen other links on the left of that page.
 
MuleyMadness said:
Also there is nothing wrong with a 22" barrel for a 22-250, there are TONS of larger rifles out there with 22" and shorter barrels on them, and people shoot them all the time just fine. As well, if you are going to go with a varmint contour or HB, you don't want a 26" barrel for something you aren't shooting off the bench, cause unless you load the stock with lead, the balance is going to suck.

Last but not least, very very few people carry a varmint rifle with a 26" barrel...it's simply not necessary, doesn't generally offer great balance, and a 22-250 doesn't have enough muzzle blast that a 24 or 22 should bother you...my vote is to go for a 22" or 24" the accuracy will be just as good, and you have a much more practical hunting rifle.
Click to expand...

The more overbore a cartridge, the more velocity loss you'll get from shortening the barrel. He might as well use a .223 if he's going to get a 22" .22-250.
 
I assume the .22-250 will be used as a varmint rifle, not a match rifle. The longer barrel will give you a velocity advantage, particularly with an over bore small bore like the .22-250. The difference in accuracy between a long barrel and a stiffer short barrel of equal quality is not something you can take advantage of in the field, and long barreled .22-250s have long been the darling of the long range varminter.
 
jperos said:
Hello everyone, I'm looking at getting a new varmint rifle in .22-250. Would a 26 inch barrel be more accurate than say a 22 or 24 inch?
Click to expand...


Get a T/C Encore Pro Hunter with a 28" barrel and you will end up with gun having an overall length close to a bolt action with a 20" barrel (my TC goes at 42" and my 700 SPS with 20" goes at 40.5" overall).

For what it's worth, serious bench-rest shooting usually use short barrels but for shooters shooting at long range usually go for the longer barrels (30" not uncommon) to increase bullet velocity and thus range

BR shooting competition is usually done at relatively short range making bullet velocity not a big factor.

As far as stiffness from a heavier barrels, I believe the heavier barrels have an advantage for at least one consideration - their heat dissipation is better because of the metal mass.

Duke1
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom