Can we talk about 700s?

[Rickmcu]

Russ again im not debating whether a shorter barrel is stiffer. I already know that to be true. Its getting to the point now where i think we're saying close to the same thing 3 different ways. The only thing i was trying to say is that i don't think i will ever say as a stone cold fact, that a longer barrel is more "accurate". Because wind is NOT a constant. sometimes there is ZERO wind, And shooting indoor there is no wind. Therefore, there are certain times where a longer barrel is no more accurate than a shorter barrel. But like i said earlier a longer barrel yields more velocity therefore it minimizes shooter error by bucking the wind better. We all agree on that. If you want to call that more "practically accurate" thats fine.

[russ69]

...And shooting indoor there is no wind...

Are you sure you are in the right forum? This is the rifle forum. I know of no indoor ranges that are long enough to make barrel length an issue, unless it's for a longer sight radius on a gallery rifle.

[milotrain]

Therefore, there are certain times where a longer barrel is no more accurate than a shorter barrel.

Virgil King and Bob Fisher found the most accurate length to be 21-3/4" with a 22ppc. At that point it's a physics discussion, not a practical one. I'll be shocked if anyone can replicate their experiments in my lifetime.

[Shakey]

Virgil King and Bob Fisher found the most accurate length to be 21-3/4" with a 22ppc. At that point it's a physics discussion, not a practical one. I'll be shocked if anyone can replicate their experiments in my lifetime.

Oh man, I wish I could have been around to shoot on their 300 yard indoor range. Those guys learned so much, so fast, on that range and all they had to give up was 4 nights of sleep a week. :-)

To the OP - "What should I get?" is closely tied to "What do I want to do?"

What do you want to do?

[JMP]

The only thing i was trying to say is that i don't think i will ever say as a stone cold fact, that a longer barrel is more "accurate".

In theory, sometimes it will be. With a given cartridge, you may need to shoot a very long barrel to stabilize a given bullet; whereas, you'd have to increase the thrust of the charge to attain the same results in a short barrel. This may not produce good results if you are operating at already high pressures. At lower velocities, sometimes it may not be sufficient to merely speed up the twist rate in length to get the results you desire. Velocity matters as it speeds up the twist rate as a function of time. I tend to prefer long heavy barrels with a slower twist rate.

At that point it's a physics discussion, not a practical one.

Physics can get you very close to the right answer, but the variables needed to model the system become overly complex. In the real world, theory has its limitations. Nonlinear systems are a ***** to model, and commonly done so with numeric approximations. That's why you'd make your ultimate decisions based on empirical data, not just physical theory. But, you use the physical theory to get you as close as possible first.

[ar15barrels]

The only thing i was trying to say is that i don't think i will ever say as a stone cold fact, that a longer barrel is more "accurate". Because wind is NOT a constant. sometimes there is ZERO wind, And shooting indoor there is no wind.

So you are throwing out 95% of reality to select the 5% of reality where you are actually right?
We must be on calguns...

Sometimes, you can shoot in outer space and there is no gravity.
Therefore, ballistic calculators are wrong.

[JMP]

Sometimes, you can shoot in outer space and there is no gravity.
Therefore, ballistic calculators are wrong.

Wow, what kind of low-end ballistic calculators are you folks using? It isn't integrated with a gravimeter? Try these guys; they are local:

http://www.gwrinstruments.com/about.html

[Clever]

700 SPS .308 26" Barrel 12 twist good to go.

[Lucky Scott]

So.......... What is the length of barrel a guy that wants to shoot long range should look at? If I have no smart car, and if I do not shoot in space or at a indoor range, and if a longer barrel is more accurate, then what is the proper or desirable length or barrel?
When I look at replacement barrels for sale, they offer several different lengths, which is best?

[NorCalFocus]

So.......... What is the length of barrel a guy that wants to shoot long range should look at? If I have no smart car, and if I do not shoot in space or at a indoor range, and if a longer barrel is more accurate, then what is the proper or desirable length or barrel?
When I look at replacement barrels for sale, they offer several different lengths, which is best?

24" minimum, 26" would be better.

[ar15barrels]

So.......... What is the length of barrel a guy that wants to shoot long range should look at? If I have no smart car, and if I do not shoot in space or at a indoor range, and if a longer barrel is more accurate, then what is the proper or desirable length or barrel?
When I look at replacement barrels for sale, they offer several different lengths, which is best?

26"

[MrElectric03]

So you are throwing out 95% of reality to select the 5% of reality where you are actually right?
We must be on calguns...

Sometimes, you can shoot in outer space and there is no gravity.
Therefore, ballistic calculators are wrong.

Hahaha, yea that's going in the sig

[Shakey]

So.......... What is the length of barrel a guy that wants to shoot long range should look at?

You want a barrel long enough so that your bullet stays comfortably supersonic at the range you want to shoot under 'bad' conditions - like a cold, dry day, at sea level. That will be between 20" and 30" depending on what you are doing.

Or do what Randall said and get a 26" Medium/Heavy Palma contour barrel chambered for your favorite 6mm or 6.5mm cartridge. Gee, I wonder where that advice comes from...