What's your rifle barrel length of choice?

[Calvin45]

I remember reading that there were some custom 250+gn cup and core bullets involved, and there was the thought the jackets were getting torqued while engraving the lands and never survived past the muzzle at all. The 240gn CEs are just so darn beautiful I couldn't pass up getting a barrel spun up to run them. I figure since they're monos they'll hold together for the twist and the speed. Surprisingly they're a lot closer to the 245 Berger externally than I thought, I figured there'd be a bigger difference between them.

I guess this is kind of like a really hot 6mm versus a 30 cal, but 30 cal versus a 375/408. The 115 DTAC of the 308 world so to speak. Yes a 30-338 with 100+gn is a lot of powder and a 245gn is a heavy 308 bullet, but versus a 400+gn 408 bullet with 130+gn of powder, not as bad comparatively.


Would be interesting to see if someone could wrap essentially a standard 1.250" HV profile, but then bump the metal up to a 1.450" tenon diameter with a 1.100" muzzle diameter. Bat Model L requires a 1.450" tenon diameter just to thread into the action. See if there's a rigidity benefit to CF wraps even with a substantial amount of metal underneath.

Would be interesting indeed. If I win the lottery I have a long list of experiments needing to be conducted.

Also, I don't buy lottery tickets so my odds are not good

 

[QuietTexan]

I buy tickets when the jackpot is over $750 million. Figure at that point it's $10 for a six-pack versus $10 for my kid's retirement

 

[Dirtrax]

26" gets my vote. I find it balances out the rifle well. For packing I recently went to a chassis with a folding buttstock. With the push of a button I lose 9-1/2" of length. If I were to add a can it would be roughly the same length folded as a standard setup w/o the suppressor. Very packable.

 

[Hugnot]

Depends on caliber.

18 inch for .22LR. 24 is real nice for 6.5 CM & .20P & .223. 26 for most of the rest including .22-.250, 6.5-06 & 6mm's. Fat chunky barrels seem to shoot good.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

looks like the majority are concerned with performance over the rest.
me too

 

[Mikecr]

For me the length comes down to muzzle pressure (as calculated with QuickLoad), with full load density of fastest powder giving me SAAMI max with a given bullet at bearing seated 3/4 of neck.
I want MP<8Kpsi
This is often 26-28" finished with medium capacity cartridges.
~22" for 223rem,, 6PPC
~24" for 6br, 6.5x47
~26" for 260, 243
Anything over 260AI ~29"+

 

[Mark37082]

I value a sweet spot between performance, balance and weight. For a hunting rig in the Southeast using a suppressor I struggle with 24+" barrels. It seems I spend too much time getting the barrel clear of limbs, vines, and brush.

 

[Clickr]

20" for non-mags, and 23-24" for mags. Hunt only, always suppressed.

 

[MagnumManiac]

Well, my only option you listed was 30", which is about ideal for me, 26" is my preferred minimum on my LR rigs, 28" sets me up in the middle road and 29" is a nice compromise which I have 2 rifles set up at 29.5" for large cases.
My comp guns have all had 30" and 32" barrels, but my last lot of blanks I bought would all finish at 34"-35", but due to life, it never happened.
Really, for LR use, a 28" barrel is a great compromise and I needn't worry about suppressors, just a brake is required.

Cheers.

 

[MagnumManiac]

For me the length comes down to muzzle pressure (as calculated with QuickLoad), with full load density of fastest powder giving me SAAMI max with a given bullet at bearing seated 3/4 of neck.
I want MP<8Kpsi
This is often 26-28" finished with medium capacity cartridges.
~22" for 223rem,, 6PPC
~24" for 6br, 6.5x47
~26" for 260, 243
Anything over 260AI ~29"+

That's interesting, my 6.5x47 finished at 27" and I just left it that length and crowned it at 11°, just like my custom chambered 264WM at 29.5". I have found that crown angle works the best with 6.5 VLD bullets.

Cheers.

 

[North Idaho Hunter]

Hunting season is getting closer!

 

[Lenny Foffa]

20 inch for 30-06 woods rifles;
24 inch for general all around hunting rifles in standard calibers
26 inch for magnum calibers
28 inch custom rifle for 1000 yard plus target shooting.