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Precision Rifle Gear Optimal barrel length for a 6mm BRA?
- Thread starter smooth
- Start date
Field matches, long range targets in the mountains. Recreational shooting. I know he is looking at velocity gain in that length of barrel. I guess I'm curious at what point does barrel length peak in velocity performance.
EDIT: Not suppressed.
30 inches is probably about right for something that is closer to a benchrest gun. I think 26 is perfect for a more mobile requirement.
assuming you are shooting 105 gn-class bullets (103-108 gns, for example), there seems to be a sweet spot for accuracy right around 2850-2900 fps. You can get that with 26 inches of barrel, possibly shorter. So, that’s my ideal length for a gun that needs to negotiate barricades and in which I shoot 105 hybrids exclusively. If you want to shoot 115s and you expect 3100 fps, probably 30 inches or more.
assuming you are shooting 105 gn-class bullets (103-108 gns, for example), there seems to be a sweet spot for accuracy right around 2850-2900 fps. You can get that with 26 inches of barrel, possibly shorter. So, that’s my ideal length for a gun that needs to negotiate barricades and in which I shoot 105 hybrids exclusively. If you want to shoot 115s and you expect 3100 fps, probably 30 inches or more.
weight out front is not always a good thing...and the speed past 26"-28" in these small cases is not huge...i wanted to run H4350 in my current barrel...25" i can get 2850ish with a slightly compressed load in peterson brass....my smith runs a 28" barrel he can get 2880ish but he can get .4g more powder in his lapua brass slightly compressed...for me the other 3" is not worth it.
ive ran from 22" out to 28" and for me he perfect all round length is 25"....its short enough to be maneuverable and long enough that im not giving up much velocity....a 25" 1.25" straight taper in an MDT ACC with full internals steel bag rider and rear weight balances slightly front heavy about 2" in front of the mag well and weighs in at 23.2lbs no mag or bipod.
2" in front of the magwell is maybe balanced or still slightly rear heavy except for maybe a pint sized GC underneath
considering most stocks/chassis are rear heavy. extra 2" of barrel may mean buying 1 less weight kit for a chassis or getting a perfect balance with a McMillan/Manners/Foundation
no doubt 24/25/26" is more maneuverable. i shoot a 24" 223 (didnt choose barrel length). but i dont notice the difference when shooting stages
considering most stocks/chassis are rear heavy. extra 2" of barrel may mean buying 1 less weight kit for a chassis or getting a perfect balance with a McMillan/Manners/Foundation
no doubt 24/25/26" is more maneuverable. i shoot a 24" 223 (didnt choose barrel length). but i dont notice the difference when shooting stages
I run a 28" 6BRA with a hellfire brake and a 27" 6.5x47 with a sidewinder brake - Both wind up really close in total length and both are just about as long as I could go and still fit in a pelican 1750 without a folder. Both balance exactly the same because they are in ACCs and I can easily adjust weight placement to make them balance the same. My weight placement on the two rifles is not the same, but the balance is.
I guess I look at it a little differently than others. I dont really see much benefit to cutting an extra inch or two off the barrel on a heavy match gun. I ran plenty of 26" barrels in the past and I dont really feel a difference in terms of length and moving the gun around. But I do have a little more weight, little more speed, the ability to set them back if I need to and not get stupid short.. so why not? I think its really more of a preference thing than anything. They all work, just pick what you like and run it.
I guess I look at it a little differently than others. I dont really see much benefit to cutting an extra inch or two off the barrel on a heavy match gun. I ran plenty of 26" barrels in the past and I dont really feel a difference in terms of length and moving the gun around. But I do have a little more weight, little more speed, the ability to set them back if I need to and not get stupid short.. so why not? I think its really more of a preference thing than anything. They all work, just pick what you like and run it.
I use a 29” 6bra in comps. Right now it wears a heavy Palma, the next barrel in queue will be a 28” heavy varmint.
I also have a 25”. Let’s just say I don’t time out due to an extra 4” on the barrel.
I also have a 25”. Let’s just say I don’t time out due to an extra 4” on the barrel.
I run 26” in Heavy Varmint (whatever the manufacturer du jour is calling a 1.25”x5” shank and a single taper to 1” at 27”…I think Bartlein calls it a #9). With an Ultra 7 out front it’s annoyingly long anytime the barrel has to go out through a port/window. Might do the next at 24”. With just the brake, 26” is fine.
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I've got a 37" 300 PRC. Over 30-32" you don't stop gaining velocity, but it's more like 10fps per inch, not 20. I was underwhelmed.
For a 6 BRA, 26-28".
