Does barrel length affect the speed of a bullet?

Question

Does the length of a gun's barrel affect a shot bullet's speed? I think the barrel length affects accuracy. What else does it affect?

Answer 1

Most people that have answered here are incorrect. If the cartidge is properly designed, there is still compustion occuring for the entire length of the barrel, and therefore the bullet continues to accelerate. If the cartidge is not properly designed, then the bullet could conceivably slow in the bore, but for this to happen, either too little propellant is used, or the propellant burns too rapidly (either due to composition or grain geometry).
Some powder compositions burn faster than others, and in addition the grain geometry (i.e. rods, discs, or perforated grains) can greatly affect how fast a powder burns. The burn rate of rods and discs is regressive, that is the rate decreases as more burns (due to the shrinking surface area) while adding a hole (or several) in the middle of the grain along its axis makes the grain burn faster (since the hole areas get bigger as they burn, they expose more surface area thus increasing velocity of the projectile).
As long as the cartidge is properly designed to achieve the proper chamber and base pressures (the pressure atthe base of the projectile), maintain sufficient pressures throughout the length of projectile travel, and the combustion continues to occur until the projectile leaves the muzzle, then the projectile will have higher muzzle velocities with longer barrels.

Answer 2

The last few got the correct answer. As an avid reloader and marksman, there are velocity advantages with longer barrels. Like previously stated, assume the load is optimal, there will be acceleration unitl the bullet leaves the barrel. In my testing of different loads and guns, I have found that past a 24" barrel you can figure about 50 fps gain in muzzle velocity. Obviously it has to quit accelerating somewhere but the point is it will until all poweder is burnt or the bullets exits. I have found that most target guns use a 26"-30" barrel. So in closing, length of the barrel affects accuracy and velocity, but more importantly is optimizing you load for the fire arm.

Answer 3

I am amazed at how many wrong answers there are,
tatonkad... and Irv S have it right.
length affects speed.
I have a 2 inch barrel .357 and you can see lots of the powder burn after the bullet comes out, if it had a longer barrel, then that powder would have accelerated the bullet much more.
its something like 1200FPS from my 2" barrel, 1500FPS from a 24" barrel for the 125Gr bullets I was loading.

ideally you would use a quicker burring powder(seemingly not available where I live) for a shorter barrel, but due to maximum pressure limits, you still get lower speed from the short barrel.

yes barrel length affects accuracy, I can get 3 inch patterns at 5 yards from my 2" .357 barrel, I can get 3 inch patterns at 100 yards from my 30" barrel .50 black powder rifle.

Answer 4

Crystal, For a handgun firing range, any barrel length from 4" to 6" is good, fine & normal. You don't need anything longer. Although, you can get longer barrels in some Models. Any barrel shorter than 4", stay away from. Especially, 2" barrel guns. Those are too short. Generally, the longer the barrel, the more accurate. But, in firing handguns, you are not shooting very long distances. So, any gun with a 4-6" barrel is just fine. I like revolvers also. I have a bunch of them. I belong to a club in Northern California. I also reload my own ammo. If you get into shooting a lot, you should do that also. It takes some time, but, you'll make better ammo than you can buy AND you can reload for about 1/4 of what it costs to buy manufactured ammo all the time. Smith & Wesson & Ruger make good revolvers. Anyway to answer the rest of your questions... To load a revolver, usually you unlatch the cylinder from the frame of the gun via the extractor rod and the cylinder swings out. You load the ammo and then you simply close the cylinder. The recoil varies depending on what caliber of gun you are firing. The type of bullet and the load in the cartridege matters also. Go on line and find a local gun range in your area if you don't already know where one is and just talk to people there. People at gun clubs are usually very helpful, knowledgeable and happy to answer questions & help people out if you have questions. Anyway, good luck & have fun. if you want to, if you have any other questions, you can mail me. See ya...

Answer 5

Yes. Barrel length does affect the speed
of the bullet with any given load.
The acceleration decreases as the cube of
the barrel length, so the first few inches are
more important than the last.
Except with very low power loads, (like .22 R.F.s),
the speed continues to increase with any practical
barrel length for hand held guns.

Answer 6

Certain styles of barrels may affect the speed, but the length is hardly a factor in speed. Barrel length, as you stated affects accuracy, and to some extent, the safe rate of fire.

Answer 7

There is an optimal barrel length for attaining the top speed of a bullet. It must be long enough to impart the correct rotation and short enough to reduce friction. Few guns are built to these specifications.

Answer 8

The friction from a longer barrel is going to slow the bullet down some.

Answer 9

The spiral groove in the barrel, that causes the bullet to spin, adds resistance!

Answer 10

accuracy is about the only affect it has
The amount it is slowed down by friction if that is what you mean would be very little

Though if you mad a barrel Very very very long then yes it would but in a standard firearm the effect is negligible