Gunsmithing Barrel Length vs Bullet Weight + Velocity

[hugo121175]

I had just sent my action out to be barrelled and squared up. I think I may have made a booboo though. It is being chambered in 270WSM to firing a 140gr Nosler Ballistic Tip Boattail at 3000fps to 3100fps.
The action is sitting at Hart until they can get to it. The barrel is going to be a 1:10" RH Twist #10 contour.
Here comes the booboo. I had told him to cut it to 26". I am now second guessing this. I am now thinking that I should have ordered it at 24".

Can anyone tell me what length would work best for that info?

Thanx,
Hugo

 

[AUJohn]

Re: Barrel Length vs Bullet Weight + Velocity

You can always get it cut back

If you must have every extra FPS you can then leaving it longer is better. No one can accurately say what speeds ANY individual barrel will get. 3 barrels from the same maker, same reamer, cut at the same time can vary 150fps.

 

[hugo121175]

Re: Barrel Length vs Bullet Weight + Velocity

I just don't want to blow my face off when I'm doing load tests on this new stick I'm building. I'm going to have to start low and slow.....

 

[308sako]

Re: Barrel Length vs Bullet Weight + Velocity

Deleted in protest

 

[bubbinator]

Re: Barrel Length vs Bullet Weight + Velocity

Try it like it is. You can cut it later, but you can't put it back on! Good rule of thumb printed over the years is you lose about 50 fps per inch of barrel you remove.