Optimal barrel length for 243 Winchester

[kylegood]

So I'm sitting here getting ready to order a barrel, work out all the details except barely length.
It's for a lightweight 243 build. Plan is to shoot 105 Berger vld's with h1000 powder.
5r rifling, 1:8 twist. #3 fluted contour.

What would you reccomend as barrel length, h1000 is slow burning and I obviously don't want to see unburnt powder, but it's also supposed to be a light rifle, so I can save weight by reducing the length of the barrel.

Is there a formula for calculating needed length?

 

[c-fbmi]

The only criteria is your wishes, I have owned 243s from 18 1/2" to 24" and the most accurate was the 18 1/2" so far and the best velocity came from the 24". No surprises there, is there..........what is your greatest need, compact lightness, or velocity............I personally like a 21-22" in a light hunting 243.

 

[bearhunter]

Barrels are all different. It all depends on your velocity demands for the bullets you choose. That 1-8 twist rate is going to slow things down a fair amount so the H1000 should perform adequately with a 22in bbl. Almost all of the powder is burned in the first 10 inches of the bore after the chamber. The rest of the bore is accommodating expanding gasses up to a point of no return. The velocities in most manuals is taken from long pressure barrels unless otherwise stated in their information. The general rule of thumb is and extra 25fps per inch of bbl.

If I may suggest, put on a 24in tube but leave the last six inches at the muzzle unfluted. If you don't like the balance or the weight you can always have up to 5in cut off without having to pull the barrel. Short, light barrels are very handy and nice to carry but there is a point where the weight loss just isn't worth the hassle.