Long Barrels
- Thread starter Doug Gary
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Re: Long Barrels
within reason, length of barrel has nothing to do with accuracy.
I only say within reason because there is a such thing as too short.
within reason, length of barrel has nothing to do with accuracy.
I only say within reason because there is a such thing as too short.
Re: Long Barrels
long barrels (30" or 32") help out when shooting a marginal round, for example a .308 winchester, at 1000 yards for palma or f t/r. fighting for the extra little bit of velocity to stay mach 1+ the longer barrels are great but limit the utility of the rifle.
long barrels (30" or 32") help out when shooting a marginal round, for example a .308 winchester, at 1000 yards for palma or f t/r. fighting for the extra little bit of velocity to stay mach 1+ the longer barrels are great but limit the utility of the rifle.
Re: Long Barrels
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bolt fluter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Longer barrels are definately harder to tune for peak accuracy. Paul. </div></div>
Really? I've never heard of this before.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bolt fluter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Longer barrels are definately harder to tune for peak accuracy. Paul. </div></div>
Really? I've never heard of this before.
Re: Long Barrels
In real world applications JCH hit the nail on the head.
Theoretically, accuracy is affected by rigidity. So on that front if all things are the same a shorter barrel SHOULD be more accurate because it is more rigid. That is if all other things are the same such as barrel contour, material used, rifling, chamber and so on. Of course this is impossible to achieve. It goes with out saying that you give up velocity with a shorter barrel.
The easiest way for me to visualize the rigidity concept is holding out a piece of 1/4" PVC pipe. If you hold up a 2 foot section you won't see much flex, but if you hold up a 12 foot section it will bow like crazy.
I think the reason people still think that longer barrels are more accurate is because of a longer sight radius with iron sights that the men who taught us to shoot used to use. I have tried to explain this concept to my dad 200 times and he isn't buying what I'm selling.
In real world applications JCH hit the nail on the head.
Theoretically, accuracy is affected by rigidity. So on that front if all things are the same a shorter barrel SHOULD be more accurate because it is more rigid. That is if all other things are the same such as barrel contour, material used, rifling, chamber and so on. Of course this is impossible to achieve. It goes with out saying that you give up velocity with a shorter barrel.
The easiest way for me to visualize the rigidity concept is holding out a piece of 1/4" PVC pipe. If you hold up a 2 foot section you won't see much flex, but if you hold up a 12 foot section it will bow like crazy.
I think the reason people still think that longer barrels are more accurate is because of a longer sight radius with iron sights that the men who taught us to shoot used to use. I have tried to explain this concept to my dad 200 times and he isn't buying what I'm selling.
Re: Long Barrels
Longer barrel means more velocity at 1000 yards and one would be severely handicapped using a 22" barrel. Most F class barrels are 28-30". That's what a custom action maker and LR shooter told me.
Try your barrel first.
Longer barrel means more velocity at 1000 yards and one would be severely handicapped using a 22" barrel. Most F class barrels are 28-30". That's what a custom action maker and LR shooter told me.
Try your barrel first.
Re: Long Barrels
I'm stayin supersonic @ 1K with my 20" LTR and hand loads so what else am I gonna gain besides about 120 fps and a lb. or more of barrel by stretching it to 28? Maybe for competition I'd opt for the speed but for a field gun I'll taker the lighter weight and shorter length.
okie
I'm stayin supersonic @ 1K with my 20" LTR and hand loads so what else am I gonna gain besides about 120 fps and a lb. or more of barrel by stretching it to 28? Maybe for competition I'd opt for the speed but for a field gun I'll taker the lighter weight and shorter length.
okie
Re: Long Barrels
No free ballistic lunch. Shorter barrels are stiffer. Generally, stiffer is more accurate. Just take a look at barrel length on the 100-200 yard BR circuit; 19-21 inches. Longer is faster. Speed extends the supersonic range of a projectile. Identify your objective and then make your selection.
No free ballistic lunch. Shorter barrels are stiffer. Generally, stiffer is more accurate. Just take a look at barrel length on the 100-200 yard BR circuit; 19-21 inches. Longer is faster. Speed extends the supersonic range of a projectile. Identify your objective and then make your selection.
Re: Long Barrels
As stated by Grand, longer is faster. Although it is true that greater speed (MV) can extend the supersonic range of a given projectile, that is not necessarily the most beneficial reason for using a longer barrel to increase MV. Nor, as also stated above, is accuracy. One important thing velocity buys you is decreased flight time and as a result, decreased wind deflection. Windage for a 155 gr Scenar pushed at a MV of 2750 fps at 1000 yd is ~1.2 MOA <span style="font-style: italic">greater</span> than one with a MV of 3000 fps. That translates to over 12" difference in the wind deflection at that distance.
As stated by Grand, longer is faster. Although it is true that greater speed (MV) can extend the supersonic range of a given projectile, that is not necessarily the most beneficial reason for using a longer barrel to increase MV. Nor, as also stated above, is accuracy. One important thing velocity buys you is decreased flight time and as a result, decreased wind deflection. Windage for a 155 gr Scenar pushed at a MV of 2750 fps at 1000 yd is ~1.2 MOA <span style="font-style: italic">greater</span> than one with a MV of 3000 fps. That translates to over 12" difference in the wind deflection at that distance.
Re: Long Barrels
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Doug Gary</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have on order a 31" Kreiger heavy varmit barrel for my 6.5 x 284.....My question is this: Would a 31" barrel be more accurate than a 29" barrel, im told I should cut 2" off to make it a 29" barrel. </div></div>
is 31" the blank length or the max finish length? if the barrel maker is telling you to cut a minimum of 2" off the blank, i'd listen to them.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Doug Gary</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have on order a 31" Kreiger heavy varmit barrel for my 6.5 x 284.....My question is this: Would a 31" barrel be more accurate than a 29" barrel, im told I should cut 2" off to make it a 29" barrel. </div></div>
is 31" the blank length or the max finish length? if the barrel maker is telling you to cut a minimum of 2" off the blank, i'd listen to them.
Re: Long Barrels
Shorter and larger diameter barrels equal better barrel harmonics. But twist rate has a lot to do with it. I have a 20 inch barrel on both my 308 and 338 lapua both are very accurate on my AW. Both barrels turned and chambered by OB1 at GAP.
Shorter and larger diameter barrels equal better barrel harmonics. But twist rate has a lot to do with it. I have a 20 inch barrel on both my 308 and 338 lapua both are very accurate on my AW. Both barrels turned and chambered by OB1 at GAP.
