What's your rifle barrel length of choice?

[DakotaFire101]

I always try to get 3000 fps out of whatever I'm hunting with which tends to be bigger magnums like my go to 28 nosler so that usually leads to at least a 26" tube. However I just built a handy little 7mm rem mag with a 22" barrel that I'm planning on running suppressed so we'll see how I like it. After years of hauling those long barreled magnums around, a shorter barreled rifle sounds very appealing.

 

[mdmiller]

I have many rifles from 20" to 28".
Each is asked to do a specific thing!!
Can't have to many........

 

[rustyshackleford]

22". From all the research I've done it's plenty. I'm also not wild about super overbore cartridges. If I was I'd look at longer barrels

 

[Taylorbok]

This entirely depends on the task at hand. My go to all around is a 284 win with a 26" barrel. If I'm going into heavy bush I use a short lever gun. if we are setting up for real long the 30" RUM comes out.

If I had to choose one length I'd probably lean to 20-24"

 

[del2les]

Completely varies based on several factors. For "rifles", I have hunted with everything from 16" carbines up 30" LR/ELR rifles, but the "majority" of my rifle hunting length barrels are 20-28" range.

 

[ralphjunius]

I like 26 or 24 in that order. Extra maneuverability of barrels under 24" is way overrated IMO. Loss of velocity and muzzle report is underrated.

 

[Josh06]

I've had one rifle with a 26" barrel and it seemed like it hit and hung on everything. I hunt in Texas and most of the time we are in a box blind or in and out of side by sides or on and off 4 wheelers and when we are walking it's through mesquite flats with low branches and it seems like long barrels just hit everything. I don't have a rifle with a barrel over 22" now and my go to rifles are 16.5-20.

 

[birddog 68]

Local WT hunting 22" works well for me but my western hunting rifle is 26". If I have to pick only one I guess I'll split it and pick 24"

 

[Mark37082]

My last 3 rifles have been 22" (308), 24" (7RM), and 24" (280ai). As others have stated, it all depends on chambering and intended purpose. My next barrel will probably be a 20" (chambering TBD).

 

[Bigwilly556]

Depends where I'm at. Open country 26 and if I'm at the cabin in the upper peninsula of Michigan it's 16.5 with a 5 inch can.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Agreed - if you could only have 1 length what would you prefer?

26" for where/how/what I hunt. And almost all my rifles run suppressed.
But I have:
1 @ 20" (6.5SS)
2 @ 22" (6.5SLR, 6.5CM)
2 @ 24" (6CM, 7SS)
6 @ 26" (25 CM, 25SST, 6.5SS, .30-06, 7RM, 28 Nosler)
Plus just sold a 26" (.280AI) and 28" (.300RUM)

Currently building:
2 @ 22" (6.5PRC, top secret test rifle)
1 @ 25.5" (25CM)

Future build already have most parts for (early 2023?):
26" (.300 Mega/.300WM/.300PRC/30 Nos)

 

[dogbuster0006]

Suppressed bigger critter hammer
300PRC
1:8 carbon 22" sendero
230/245gr Berger
Triggertech or jewel single stage
Defiance/trued rem 700 when I shoot my 7mag barrel out
I've already got the Manners long action A4
Bdl bottom metal
Elk/moose/brown bear will be on the menu eventually, my can is only 30cal so I'm limited there. If I find a good deal on a Christensen MPR I'll pick it up to match my 6.5.
Eventually a 22-250 suppressed
1:7 or 1:8 carbon 20"
Slinging 70+ for coyote/whistle pigs on the bean fields

 

[MW204]

Ever since my first rebarrel it's been 26", I just like the way they feel and look. I just added my first brake, 2.5" so now I have a 28.5" barrel length so time will tell how I like it. I know I like the 300 WM recoil that feels like a 243 or there about.

 

[manitou]

25-26" for me.