Barrel length??

Hi

MV 2000-2500 fps, the approximate change in MV per 1" change in barrel length is 10 fps.
MV 2500-3000 fps, the approximate change in MV per 1" change in barrel length is 20 fps.
MV 3000-3500 fps, the approximate change in MV per 1" change in barrel length is 30 fps.
MV 3500-4000 fps, the approximate change in MV per 1" change in barrel length is 40 fps.

Best Regards
QL is showing near enough a 200 fps drop with my 120 gr NBT load if I go from 24-18" - that is a step up that people go up a cartridge for, say .308 to 30-06, just by having a sensible barrel length and making use of the powder! The cartridge was originally fired from a rifle with a 29" barrel so 24" is already a chop!!
 
Now be honest, you’ve slaggged that rifle off recently
I have indeed, but shooting a fox at range and shooting a red at range are 2 completely different things!

Back then i was cocky and a much better shot than i am now

Now i stick to 300 max

The sweede simply does not have the legs for shooting big stuff at range, thats why i bought a 270!
 
I have indeed, but shooting a fox at range and shooting a red at range are 2 completely different things!

Back then i was cocky and a much better shot than i am now

Now i stick to 300 max

The sweede simply does not have the legs for shooting big stuff at range, thats why i bought a 270!
Pretty much why I got the .280, not that the swede hasn’t necessarily not got the legs but the .280 certainly has more.

But shortening the barrel on a swede hampers it’s ability, at 300 yards 2850 vs 2650 with a 120 means 10% less energy.
 
From one of my 20” M7 260s a 120 TTSX will get you 2750fps or a bit more. That’s good for 400 yards with an impact velocity of 2000fps. My 24” M700 260 gets an extra 100fps (same load) which gains less than 50 yards for a 2000fps impact velocity. Standard cnc bullets I use are an easy 2900fps with room to spare if I stepped on the scale a little harder. 129s are 2850fps.

I’m glad I’m not hampered with having to use solid coppers, which I occasionally use for deer. If I know I’ll be shooting in the woods I grab my M7 and coppers otherwise it’s the old standby cnc or bonded. Been using 223 with a TMK and am actually asking myself why I’m using bigger for WT deer.
 
Who says he stalks in the woods? My main stalking rifles are 26,25 and 23.5”, all with muzzle mounted moderators, doesn’t cause me any issues in the field or getting it out of the back of the truck….

There is another post where someone has a 6.5 creedmoor, he’s getting 2668 fps from factory 125 and subsonic by 500 yards, the x55 would be worse as it runs at lower pressure. If you want to reach out there you need a decent barrel length to optimise the powder capacity. If you’re shooting deer within 200 yards it’s less of an issue. Although if using lead free, speed is the name of the game and then, again, you need decent barrel length!
What bull****!
It was me with my Sig Cross in 6.5CM with an 18" barrel shooting Winchester Deer Season XP 125g & I never said anything about it dropping subsonic at 500y.
StrelokPro puts it at 1919 fps at 500y using the reading I took from my chrono at the barrel.
Don't miss quote me again to justify your personal narrative.
 
What bull****!
It was me with my Sig Cross in 6.5CM with an 18" barrel shooting Winchester Deer Season XP 125g & I never said anything about it dropping subsonic at 500y.
StrelokPro puts it at 1919 fps at 500y using the reading I took from my chrono at the barrel.
Don't miss quote me again to justify your personal narrative.
Ah my mistake.

1000 ft-lb by 500.

My you are an angry old man aren’t you!
 
Who’d have thought people would get so excited about this!? So many experts (“that’s what I’ve got and it’s the best”) and so little room. Lol thanks everyone.
Clearly I need a 16” woodland rifle in .308 a 20” stalking rifle in .270 and a 24” long range one in 6.5 prc …. And a 30” one in 7mm SAUM for proper long range gong bashing.
I’m also thinking the deer and gongs won’t real notice what I’m holding?
 
I have never said what I have is the best, that everyone should have one or that I am an expert.
When someone asked a question all I did was let him know the results I had with the combination I use. The more information someone has from different sources helps build a better picture to make a decision on a purchase.
 
Ok so whilst I know everyone will have their own firmly held and definitely correct opinions on this but what do you think is the best Barrel length for a 6.5x55. To be used mainly for stalking on ground that is a mix of open and more wooded but also do 1k gong bashing on occasion…
Moderated with one of the unmentionables (F and..)
Stalking shots taken mostly sub 250m but some occasionally taken out to about 450m if circumstances dictate….
Using 114tlr yew tree for all the above so need to be above SB at 1k
can you now use monolythic bullets at ranges then? Barrel length isnt an issue that matters stalking inside 500 and if you feel it a slow you can use a faster powder that will compensate some. playing at steel off in the hills( none certified range) doesnt really matter if your mate has something a bit more suited anyhow does it ? If your going moderated you certainly dont want the longer barrels fitted when your stalking proper pita
 
Who’d have thought people would get so excited about this!? So many experts (“that’s what I’ve got and it’s the best”) and so little room. Lol thanks everyone.
Clearly I need a 16” woodland rifle in .308 a 20” stalking rifle in .270 and a 24” long range one in 6.5 prc …. And a 30” one in 7mm SAUM for proper long range gong bashing.
I’m also thinking the deer and gongs won’t real notice what I’m holding?
Or do it all with a 24” swede 😂
 
can you now use monolythic bullets at ranges then? Barrel length isnt an issue that matters stalking inside 500 and if you feel it a slow you can use a faster powder that will compensate some. playing at steel off in the hills( none certified range) doesnt really matter if your mate has something a bit more suited anyhow does it ? If your going moderated you certainly dont want the longer barrels fitted when your stalking proper pita
CC382D93-6DA5-402C-956D-38D98A717648.jpeg
Depends entirely on your stalking.

I have decided to keep the 27” .308 in the classifieds and get it chopped to 20” to see what the fuss is all about (won’t be changing the 25-45, .280 or the swede though)
 
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Barrel is all a matter of physics and personal choice

I like longer barrels. I am 6ft with long arms and short little barrelled rifles are nasty, noisy kicky little things. I prefer 22” minimum, and quite happy with 24 or 26” with a moderator on the end. I tend to carry my rifle in hand, rather than slung. But I do have sling mounts on the barrel which works for me.

In terms of physics a short barrel has less time to burn powder. Historically most velocities published are based on 24 or 26” barrels.

Shorten barrel you loose velocity.

With a short barrel you need greater acceleration to get up to the same speed in a shorter distance.

To achieve this you either need more pressure, to give more force to give more acceleration. Ie you increase powder charge.

But you can also change powder characteristics. A faster burning powder will give up all its energy in the shorter time it takes to accelerate the bullet up to velocity down a short barrel.

But in physics there is always an equal and opposite reaction. In rifles of the same weight, burning same weight of propellant and using the same bullet at same velocity, a short barrel with faster burning powder will have a much snappier recoil than a long barrel with a slow powder which will have more of a shove.

Short barrels may or may not be more accurate. They are though cheaper to make - less material etc. And are stiffer, just because they are shorter.

In the old days or iron sights, a longer barrel gave longer distance between front and rear which helps with accuracy, and a long barrel with bayonet keeps the enemy a bit further away so your uniform doesn’t get messy when you stick them.

But these days optical sights don’t need long sight base, and our military / swat teams like short rifles for jumping in and out of vehicles and these fashions trickle down.
 
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