Target Rifle Barrel Length

[BCBRAD]

I am re doing a Tikka that is barreled in 6 Dasher with a Benchmark #6 finished at 26".

The new barrel will be in 6.5mm Benchmark, Tikka Varmint contour.

The cartridge will be 260 Rem.

What I am concerned about is how the rifle will balance in the 'bags'.

The barrel can be finished to 27", but I would like to hear from others on an ideal length for balance.

Velocity is not a real concerned as 2800 ft/s can be realized with 140 class bullets.

This rifle will be used to 1000 yards +

 

[b72471]

I'm guessing the BL shoot has weight limits 17lbs for heavy barrel. You want some weight at the rear of stock for rear bag, without knowing the weights of stock and action lenght of stock etc there's no way of answering the question. You can use a lighter contour barrel and still have VG accuracy. The 260R max barrel length would be 26 inch.

 

[Maple57]

I assume this is for PRS...

If you are going to make a mistake on barrel length and weight, you are better off too weight forward than too weight rearward. The last thing you want is to have to drive the rifle with your body. If the weight is too far forward, you can always pull back, but you can never push forward of the mag.

Ideally it should rest in a game changer bag like the rock of Gibraltar.

Just 2 weeks ago 3 of us compared rifle balance on a PRS obstacle...

First was a Ruger Precision Rifle... It was awfull… needs longer heavier barrel.. we could not hold within 3 feet of target from the obstacle. It was too light and too weight rearward and in desperate need of a longer heavier barrel.

Second was a Tikka tactical in factory config... It was decent.. We could hold the plate but not really pick where on the plate with ease. Again needs longer or heavier barrel.

Third was a rem 700 in original model AI chassis with 28 inch heavy barrel... It was by far the best... It balanced perfectly...we had no trouble picking where on the plate we wanted to hit. Plus the flat bottom didn't roll around on the bag.

We felt the heavy weight of the Rem 700 config compressed the media in the bag and that, along with good balance, was key to the stability. Both the Tikka and RPR were comparably too light to adequately compress the media in the bag.

 

[kthomas]

I'm not sure what a "Tikka Varmint" contour is, but I would get the heaviest contour that you and your rifle can stand.

My 6.5mm is a 24" MTU. Balances beautifully. I would stick between 24-26". 24" is my favorite length for 6.5mm cartridges.

 

[Skullboy]

I am re doing a Tikka that is barreled in 6 Dasher with a Benchmark #6 finished at 26".

The new barrel will be in 6.5mm Benchmark, Tikka Varmint contour.

The cartridge will be 260 Rem.

What I am concerned about is how the rifle will balance in the 'bags'.

The barrel can be finished to 27", but I would like to hear from others on an ideal length for balance.

Velocity is not a real concerned as 2800 ft/s can be realized with 140 class bullets.

This rifle will be used to 1000 yards +

My .260 Rem is pushing 139 gr. Scenars at 2930 fps out of a 1 in 8" twist Bartlein 26" barrel.

I taken it out to 1000m and 1500m with no problems.