barrel lengths on rifles?

Question

Why the different barrel lengths on rifles? Is a 22" inch as good as a 24",and is a 24" just as good than a 26".or 28"?

Answer 1

Now that almost all rifles wear a scope, the difference in sight plane isn't what it was in the day of iron sights. The Winchester 70 chambered for 264 Magnum originally came out with a sensible 26" barrel, but people didn't like the long barrel. I suppose it kept getting hung on limbs, but Winchester's response was to produce it in 24" barrels, and the loss of velocity with that case turned it into a small 270 ballistically, so the cartridge basically died. Most magnums need some barrel length for the gasses to expand and take advantage of all that extra powder. Standard cartridges tend not to lose so much velocity when the barrel's a couple of inches shorter, and in that case it's mostly a matter of balance. Some people like the weight between their hands, while others like a little extra weight forward for a good swing. I personally have trouble shooting a Remington Model 7 because that really short, light barrel is just too "whippy" for me, where their 700 Mountain is just a couple of inches longer and still pretty light but swings like a shotgun for me. A guy I know shoots a 458 with a 24" barrel and light handloads for whitetail! He likes the weight forward, and he's a huge guy, so to each his own.

Answer 2

Different cartridges and loads will burn their powder more efficiently in varying barrel lengths. Generally the bigger the cartridge, the longer the barrel required for all the powder to burn, thereby maximising the potential of the round, so that long magnums such as the Weatherbys have had 26" barrels, most 30-06-length cartridges have had 24" barrels, and .308-length rounds as short as 20" or even 18" carbine-type barrels. With fast-burning powders a .270 or 30-06 will not lose much velocity from a 20" barrel but the muzzle blast is wicked. A 22" barrel is ideal from the perspective of weight, balance, and maneuverability on most rifles. The new generation of short-magnums turn the old wisdom on its head, and a long barrel can actually reduce velocity by increasing drag if the bullet has to continue down the barrel after the powder charge has been expended.

Answer 3

The .22 Long Rifle cartridge takes a fairly long barrel, no shorter than 20 inches, to reap the full benefit of the powder load. Handguns in this load are accepted because of the nature of the .22 caliber: it is the smallest and least powered cartridge begrudgingly accepted to be 'small arm ammunition.' It is not a caliber looked to for accuracy or for optimum barrel length. Also: barrel length is not a direct factor to accuracy. A 'too short' barrel that saps velocity can still be highly accurate; one just the right length can still be a gamble on every shot. I would suggest finding and asking someone who owns a number of .22 rifles. In the end, in terms of benefiting from the full charge of powder, for velocity and yes, accuracy, barrel length does matter for the .22; and suprisingly more so than one might think. In the end, however, if the manufacturer is fairly reputable no matter what your going to wind up with a decent short range rifle for plinking and very small varmits. As always, the right firearm to purchase, after all options are considered and all merits are weighed, is with the satisfaction of the person doing the shooting. If it doesn't just doesn't feel right at the counter, chances are it never will. When you have a good match, you can feel it before you fork over the cash. After that you have a 'trusty' piece, mechanical and repair problems aside.

Answer 4

Rifle calibers burn up all their powder in 22 to 26 inches of barrel. Some require a bit more, some less. This is why some people call the seven-mags firebreathers. In these magnum calibers the longer barrels, say 24 to 26 inches, work better. Take a carbine chambered in a pistol cartridge and 16 inches is about all it needs.

Best.

H

Answer 5

It depends on the cartridge being used and for what purpose, target or hunting? Target rifles typically have longer barrels because it improves the sight plane. Hunting rifles go with shorter barrels due to the portability factor - most people wouldn't want to lug a 24" bbl rifle through the woods on a quest for elk.
In blackpowder days, the longer bbl was more efficient at burning all the powder, but those days are long gone.

Answer 6

Use to be, (with iron sights), the longer barrel
offered a longer sight radius and more accurate
sighting.
Now, when just about everything wears a scope,
the longer barrel offers slightly more velocity from
the same load, and a bit more mass out there at the
end to stabilize those small 'shakes`.
You will notice that most target guns still have
the longer heavier barrels.

Answer 7

It depends on the BC of the bullet fired. "X" bullet may need 2600fps to properly fragment or mushroom and "Y" bullet of the same caliber might only need 1800fps to have bullet stability. Typically the longer the barrel the more accurate and the faster the bullet will travel (to an extent). I'm not sure how a 30" AR-15 barrel will do any better than a 20".

Answer 8

Part of it is a matter of choice, (for what it is being used); and part is the requirements of the cartridge being fired.

I have one rifle that only needs an 18" barrel 'balistically' but has a 20" barrel; and another that has a 30" barrel, but could probably make use of another 2" for a little more velocity; Then there is my .32cal. 'squirrel gun', muzleloader, that has a 36" barrel.

Answer 9

This could be answered thousands of ways and nobody would agree. Shorter barrels, less friction loss faster bullet. Longer barrels, more bullet stability, more accuracy. Shorter barrels, easier to handle in tight quarters. Longer barrels, easier to tame "hot" cartridges. that about covers it. I have a .308 win. in 22" and a 7mm Rem Mag in 26". both work really well for the intended purpose. You have to decide what your intended purpose is and figure accordingly. good luck

Answer 10

short barrel lots of bang less acurate good for close range long barrel less bang but more accurate over long range