The noise at shorter barrel lengths (un-canned) is very noticeable in some rounds for me when they get below 21-22". I do a lot of hunting with a few 22" .308's. This year I put a .308 together with a 20" barrel. Shooting the same ammo the difference was noticeable to me when sighting in and checking drops switching from one to the other, even with plugs in and muffs on. It was only 2" difference. Even shooting an 18" .223AI and a 21" and/or 22" .223AI the difference stands out to me.
It doesn't seem like a noticeable difference shooting the same loads through a 22" and 24" 6.5 CM. Maybe it is but it doesn't stand out to me.
I notice a difference in cartridges/bore size as well. A 21" .358 seems less sharp than a 22" .308, which seems much less sharp than a 23" .243.
I don't want more recoil but it doesn't bother me much. The sharper crack does bother me. I've got sissy ears.
