Barrel question

[Bushwack44]

All things being as equal as possible with the exception of barrel length, would a 243 coming from a 26" barrel be noticeably more accurate than a 243 coming out of a 22" barrel (at a distance of 500 or 600 yards)?

From what I read, a 243 coming out of a 26" barrel should have a flatter trajectory but will it also have a more significant impact against a steel target then if coming out of a 22" barrel?

[ar15barrels]

My load is 45gr of H4831sc under a 107 SMK.

Using quickload, I get 3000fps with a 26" barrel and 2880fps with a 22" barrel.
At 1000yds, that equates to needing to dial 0.9mil more elevation and hold 1/2 mil more wind.
That is 18" difference in windage and 32" difference in elevation.

[Varg Vikernes]

The 45th Edition of the Lyman Reloading Handbook also has a table showing Center Fire Rifle Velocity Vs. Barrel Length. Their figures apply to barrels between 20 and 26 inches in length and agree with the Remington figures. The Lyman table shows the following approximate velocity changes:

For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 1000-2000 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 5 fps.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 2001-2500 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 10 fps.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 2501-3000 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 20 fps.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 3001-3500 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 30 fps.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 3501-4000 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 40 fps.

The 43rd edition of the Lyman reloading Handbook gave some concrete examples of velocity loss for specific calibers and loads. The Lyman technicians chronographed some high velocity cartridges in rifles with barrels ranging in length from 26 inches down to 22 inches with the following results:

The average loss for the .243 Win./100 grain bullet was 29 fps per inch.
The average loss for the .264 Win. Mag./140 grain bullet was 32 fps per inch.
The average loss for the .300 H&H Mag./220 grain bullet was 25 fps per inch.

For standard high intensity cartridges in the same test, the Lyman technicians chronographed the cartridges in barrel lengths ranging in length from 24 inches down to 20 inches with the following results:

The average loss for the .270 Win./130 grain bullet was 37 fps per inch.
The average loss for the .270 Win./150 grain bullet was 32 fps per inch.
The average loss for the .300 Sav./180 grain bullet was 17 fps per inch.
The average loss for the .30-06/180 grain bullet was 15 fps per inch.
The average loss for the .35 Rem./200 grain bullet was 11 fps per inch.

After a bunch of disclaimers, the Lyman people concluded, "The rule of thumb is that high speed, high pressure cartridges shed more speed in short barrels than do the low speed, large bore types." It's funny, but that is what I had suspected all along!

http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_barrel.htm

[Fjold]

Really you are asking different questions. Accuracy is the ability to put a bullet into your intended target. If you understand the drop and drift of your load and can measure the wind's effects on your bullet then the accuracy will be the same (assuming identical barrel quality, etc).

The only difference between the 26" and 22" barrel is the velocity of the bullet (again assuming identical barrels, etc). But since gravity is a constant, it doesn't matter if the drop is 30" at 1,000 yards or 28" as long as you know this, you just adjust your scope to compensate.

The same thing with wind, if the wind is constant you simple adjust a few more clicks for the slower bullets.

In the real world the wind varies so theoretically the faster bullet will be less affected by the wind so you should be able to hit the target easier but really that is related more to the shooter's lack of ability to judge and compensate for the changing wind not the accuracy of the barrel.

[Bushwack44]

OK...so what it really comes down to is making the correct scope adjustments (and knowing your ammo and environment). Theoretically, if using a 26" barrel can get you to 1,000 yds, so can a 22" barrel (using 243).

Then the follow up question is shooting at a maximum of 1,000 yards, what significant benefits are there for using a 26" vs 22" barrel? Maybe at a significantly longer distance, I can see where a 26" barrel will help reach the target. But why use a 26" barrel for under 1,000 yards (or whatever maximum distance that both 22" & 26" barrels will work to hit the target)?

BTW, I ask because I have a 22" barrel in 243 that I'm happy with. I was about to purchase the same caliber in 243 with a 26" barrel but caught myself asking...why? Maybe I should go 308 (don't want 6.5 Creedmoor) and put a break on it to reduce recoil. Rifle is for range use only.

Really you are asking different questions. Accuracy is the ability to put a bullet into your intended target. If you understand the drop and drift of your load and can measure the wind's effects on your bullet then the accuracy will be the same (assuming identical barrel quality, etc).

The only difference between the 26" and 22" barrel is the velocity of the bullet (again assuming identical barrels, etc). But since gravity is a constant, it doesn't matter if the drop is 30" at 1,000 yards or 28" as long as you know this, you just adjust your scope to compensate.

The same thing with wind, if the wind is constant you simple adjust a few more clicks for the slower bullets.

In the real world the wind varies so theoretically the faster bullet will be less affected by the wind so you should be able to hit the target easier but really that is related more to the shooter's lack of ability to judge and compensate for the changing wind not the accuracy of the barrel.

My load is 45gr of H4831sc under a 107 SMK.

Using quickload, I get 3000fps with a 26" barrel and 2880fps with a 22" barrel.
At 1000yds, that equates to needing to dial 0.9mil more elevation and hold 1/2 mil more wind.
That is 18" difference in windage and 32" difference in elevation.

[Unretarded]

As stated, barrel length is velocity..........as far as accuracy it has no effect, unless you get into accuracy at distance based on velocity or have a need for more velocity to achieve a certain distance or carry more energy for some reason.

Velocity will reduce wind drift at distance due to time in flight as it will drop due to time in flight.

At any given distance in no wind above 1200 feet per second a 22 or 26 inch barrel will be no different in accuracy.

Accuracy has a lot to do with the barrel and it`s quality.....if your goal is accuray, spend good money on a top quality barrel. Get the length you need based on the distance you plan to shoot and what needs to happen at that distance.......

As shown above approx 120 foot per second difference, not a lot unless you have very specific reason for that velocity......some cheap factory ammo varies that much in velocity in the same length barrel.


A longer barrel will increase the velocity, which increases the foot pounds of energy, or impact.....the more weight and or velocity the harder it hits depending on the circumstances.

A barrel is a tool, choose the correct one based on what you want......once you figure out exactly what you want to do, that will tell you the barrel you need.

Shooting steel at 600 you would be hard pressed to see the down range results without measuring equipment or if you were shooting in massive wind you might tell some difference.

Passing 600 to 1000 yards velocity will play a bigger role, some in drop, but the bigger problem of wind drift. Hunting at 600 needs as much foot pounds of energy which velocity helps, but that is a long shot for most people hunting....weight of the rifle, balance of the rifle......there are few things to consider in making a barrel length choice.


One thing is if you get it wrong and it is too long you can have it cut down........but that costs money to have done right. It is best to get the right length the first time as I would have rather spent the extra money on a better barrel which will be more accurate in the first place.


Make a list of exactly what you plan on doing with the rifle and post it up............there are a lot of people here who know what they are doing much better than me.



EDIT:......

LOL, in the time it took me to type that, a bunch of posts appeared.

[LynnJr]

In theory the longer barrel will be affected less because it carries more velocity so it will have less dispersion at the target.
On your second question it will hit harder because it has more retained energy in the longer barrel.
You can always take a hacksaw to a long barrel cut it down to the length you want and have it recrowned.
The only way to add length is too rebarrel so error on the long side because it is way cheaper.

[Jimmy's]

With a 26" barrel your bullet will get to target quicker and hit harder That's why 26">22". If ever the idea of resale comes up I for one would never be interested in a 22" 243 so that's a lost sale in my book not that it matters just putting it out there.

[milotrain]

It's about intended use. I've got a 20" .223 that is very accurate at 600 yards but I spend a lot of time reading wind and I know that I'm actually at 600 yards. If I had to shoot unknown distance I would want more barrel length.

If you can afford to walk the shot in or shoot known distance with known dope then 22" is fine. If not then more barrel is always welcome.

[6mmintl]

Longer barrels (Palma contour) at 29-30" are best beyond 600 yards, stay cooler, erode less, give higher velocity with slower powders, last longer, and you can always set barrel back to 26".

Shorter barrels you have to run the piss out of them with hot loads and they wear out faster ( 1200=2000 rounds ) and you cannot set barrel back to any usable length.

If your shooting steel prone go long, if your hunting 26" is about as long as you'll need or like to carry.

[waveslayer]

OK...so what it really comes down to is making the correct scope adjustments (and knowing your ammo and environment). Theoretically, if using a 26" barrel can get you to 1,000 yds, so can a 22" barrel (using 243).

Then the follow up question is shooting at a maximum of 1,000 yards, what significant benefits are there for using a 26" vs 22" barrel? Maybe at a significantly longer distance, I can see where a 26" barrel will help reach the target. But why use a 26" barrel for under 1,000 yards (or whatever maximum distance that both 22" & 26" barrels will work to hit the target)?

BTW, I ask because I have a 22" barrel in 243 that I'm happy with. I was about to purchase the same caliber in 243 with a 26" barrel but caught myself asking...why? Maybe I should go 308 (don't want 6.5 Creedmoor) and put a break on it to reduce recoil. Rifle is for range use only.

It comes down to "Time of Flight " . Longer barrel is faster which makes the bullet have a shorter time of flight. Shorter barrels have a longer time of flight. At 1000 it's no big deal!

I personally shoot a 22" .338 Norma Magnum AI and have had plenty of hits past 1800. I loose a lot of velocity but it's tacticool.

Short barrels you can go thicker contour which will reduce barrel whip and heat.

Go 22 if you are only Shooting 1000. But 4" isn't a big deal to maneuver

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns