impact of barrel length

[Guest du9207]

how important (performance) is barrel length on rifle, i've narrowed it down to two rifles but one has a )24inch barrel (8lbs rifle) and the other a 26inch(10lbs). both heavy barreled, plan using factory ammo, (22250)

[Strut10]

Two inches of barrel length could mean 50-100 fps in a 22-250. From the weights you give, it sounds like there's also two different barrel contours. For a dedicated target/varminter, pick the heavier contour..........unless you're going to be carrying the rifle long distances.

[TexasDeerHunter]

I prefer a 20-22in barrel and a light contour because I do alot of walking and like a shorter lighter rifle. If the barrel is crowned properly the length will not affect accuracy, depending on your style of hunting and how much shooting you plan on doing in one sitting you might choose a heavier barrel.

[AJ]

Barrel length can have a big impact on accuracy. The longer the barrel is, the less stiff it is. The amplitude of the harmonics will be greater with a longer barrel compared to a shorter barrel. Granted the chamber, throat, and crown will have greater impact on accuracy than the length. The long range benchrest guns that are popular for the 1000 yard shooting often wear 30" barrels. But they are also very heavy tapers or full bull profile.

Personally, I prefer longer barrels. They give higher velocity, move the blast farther away from the shooter, and only cost a little more weight. My elk gun is a custom 300 Weatherby Magnum with a 28" barrel. I will carry it up and down mountains walking 5-8 miles per day.

[m gardner]

I've shot for awhile and my next rifle is going to be on an old 722 Reminton action and wear a heavy sporter barrel 20 inches long. It will probably be in 22-250 or 243 win. It should carry fairly well and be plenty stiff enough. If in 22-250 I want to shoot 70 grain bullets and will use a fast twist barrel. I'm more concerned with accuracy than speed and at extreme long range speed won't help alot. I love to shoot prarie dogs and I'll walk all day to do it. This rig should fill the bill.

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