very new on here and was hoping to find some good advice. so my question is what is recommended barrel length for best accuracy? one caliber im wondering about is .223 and also a 300 win mag. or does anyone know of any sites that have a break down of optimum barrel length for all or most calibers?
optimum barrel length?
- Thread starter Karbide
- Start date
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
.223 would have about a 22" maximum, with 16" being the minimum, assuming a bolt action rifle for "long range" scenarios. I would guess 22"-26" for the .300.
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
Most definitely agree with that. However, in most cases a shorter barrel will be more accurate than a longer barrel. The shorter and larger in diameter the barrel is, the greater the stiffness, which results in greater repeatability and greater accuracy.
Every barrel has its time. Regardless of length, it will resonate with predictability. This is with regards to accuracy. With regards to velocity, a longer barrel will yield more, within powder consumption restraints, and then its time, or node, can be predicted.
R.
Can't see it, but would like to see some facts to back this up. There are way too many variables involved in your statement to make it accurate.
R.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Add in, quality handloads tuned to the needs of the barrel give you performance.
Until you want to shoot in the 0's and 1's at SR, there are no barrel specs that are better then another.
Just get a contour and length that fits your end use and tune your ammo accordingly.
I shoot a 28" 223 and others have 32" on f class rifles. Sub 1/2 MOA at 1000yds is the goal. Mechanically, these rifles will shoot in the 2's and 3's all day long at LR.
Length can help determine max speed.
Quality barrel can determine accuracy potential
Ammo, optics, trigger, stock, install and skill let you realise the performance.
YMMV.
Jerry
While a shorter barrel is stiffer, as mentioned, a longer barrel gives higher velocities and can make higher velocity nodes achievable for a given bullet weight. Higher velocity means less time being subjected to wind and the ability to stay supersonic longer, which prevents loss of accuracy due to the inherent instability of transitioning through transonic and subsonic flight. From what I've seen and been told by some very accomplished shooters this is why most F-Class and TR shooters choose 28"-32" barrels. There may be different requirements and preferences depending on the discipline you shoot.
I'll boil this down really hard, so hopefully everyone can get it. Barrel length, proper, has absolutley sweet fack all to do with accuarcy. Nodes are predictable, and every length has more than one. Build for balance, build for speed, the accuarcy will always be there, given a quality barrel.
R.
R.
I was told recently that a 28" barrel was about optimum for 300wm and 223 is almost the same as 308 with an optimum around 22". I happened to believe this info as the person who told me builds lots of really nice long range rifles and has oodles of knowledge. I am sure he will comment on this thread.
I shoot a 300wm from a 26" and a 223 from a 20 1/4". I didn't gain or lose a major amount of velocity from what is published. However a shorter heavy barrel is EXTREMELY easy to make happy when building a load.
I shoot a 300wm from a 26" and a 223 from a 20 1/4". I didn't gain or lose a major amount of velocity from what is published. However a shorter heavy barrel is EXTREMELY easy to make happy when building a load.
TR shooters use 28-32 in barrels to keep the veloicty up, but mainly for the sight radius.
Would you be able to generate enough velocity from a 22" barrel to keep a 155gr bullet supersonic at 900m?
With a .308 or 223 with a 22" barrel shooting F class at 800 & 900m you would be toast !!! absolutly no chance of beating the guys with 30" barrels
manitou
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
First you have to define the application and build parameters before you can consider what is optimal.
What is optimal for an F1 car may have little relavance to a NASCAR
With so many options today for components, there really isn't a bad or good set up.
Just build the rifle to suit a need and load as necessary for best performance.
Jerry
If you look at top competitors(the folks that win) from whatever long range discipline you are interested in, you will notice trends. There is a reason all the winners use the same-ish length barrels and even calibers. I have yet to see a short barreled rifle of ANY type sit atop a podium in a consistant manner. Every blue moon?Sure, anyone can win once. If your just going out for fun then fill your boots with whatever blows your hair back. If you want to get to the top and stay there you had better be driving the right car for the race.
I can get 3000 fps out of a 30 in barrel with 155's. My rifle shoots best at around 2950 fps. I have heard the for every inch circumcised from a barrel you lose anywhere between 25-50 FPS. I thinks the difference in these numbers might have to be do to the bore and groove dia of each particular barrel. So this 2950 fps load from a 30 in barrel could be anywhere between 200-400 fps slower from a 22 inch barrel.
well all of this seems like really good information. so if i understand correctly what you are mainly looking for is maximum velocity for the barrel length you have and consistency in your ammo load? i currently have a .223 with a 26" barrel and a 1 in 12 twist. im thinking the 1 in 12 twist was a poor choice but any input on that too?
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Competitive shooters are going to maximize their rifle for any set of rules or task.
a 10lbs SR BR rifle will have different tweaks then an unlimited class BR monster BUT they are both built to maximize performance.
Same goes for a Tactical rig vs an F class rig.
There is nothing wrong with the 12 twist for what that twist is most appropriate for. Grab some 55gr varmint bullets and have at it.
Now, if the goal was shoot best at 1000yds, not the ideal option.
YMMV.
Jerry
If your shooting a 223 max perforance 30.5"/1/7 twist for 90gr & 80gr There is a group on Ottawa all shooting 223 one fellow made a 32" and with identical load same brass, primers & powder the 32 is slower than the 30" as well the guys with 28" are slower not by much 10 to 15 fps per inch
Like Maynard said about the .308 how the lenght of barrel changes the speed is correct but its much smaller in the 223 rem
best twist for .308 on testing we have done 155gr bullets 1/13 T
1/12 works well also and you can go to 175gr+, some fellows are using 1/11 Twists and 1/10 for the 180gr to 210gr bullets.
There is a big differance shooting 155gr and 200+ gr in recoil
manitou
