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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934 |
Curious what everyone’s barrel length is on their favorite hunting rifle? Did the barrel length have anything to do with why you grew to like it or was that not even a consideration? I’m always back n forth on barrel lengths for rifles. Really think I prefer a 24” but how much can a 22” really make a difference? Its probably not even worth all the overthinking. Seems like 22” is the standard anymore on most hunting rigs.
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I'm a proud member of the BGE cult ... yes, I consider myself an EGGHEAD
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,621
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,621 |
22" seems to be a sweet spot for the 308 family of cartridges. I like a 24" for 30-06 and 280 and a 26" for magnums.
John 8:12 "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,616 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,616 Likes: 1 |
RB, It absolutely is a consideration for me. I've been steadily going to shorter barrel rifles. As long as they balance well, I certainly enjoy carrying them in the woods over a longer barrel. I'm mainly hunting Eastern woods for whitetail so just my opinion.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,508
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,508 |
I prefer 22 inch barrels on most of my rifles and have a couple with 20 inch (.308 and .250 Sav) which I really like when hunting in thick timber where shots will be 50m or less. I have a couple with 24 inches (.25-06 and .30-06) but I hardly ever use them anymore. Then funny enough, I rebarrelled three rifles last year (7x64, .257 AI and 6.5 CM) and went 23 inches on all of them just for something different. But normally I prefer shorter rifles than longer ones. The Ruger No.1As and 1S I have all have 22 Inch barrels but are nice and short due no magazine. I really, really like carrying them in the bush.
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 214
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 214 |
Love that 24" barrel on my Rem 722 in 300 sav
Have fun.....j3
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,731 Likes: 8
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,731 Likes: 8 |
22” works on most things for me.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,468
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,468 |
Seems it was 24" now down to 22" or shorter. I like the shorter ones for deep woods, lighter and easier to handle in brush. Gives up some velocity when one is in the wide open however.
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 628
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 628 |
I prefer a 22” barrel on my rifles, no matter the cartridge. I like light rifles and a 22” barrel seems to balance out nicely.
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 473
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 473 |
My favorite right now is a Remington Model Seven SS 7-08 with a 20" barrel.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,823 Likes: 4
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,823 Likes: 4 |
I have a couple bolts actions with 21 in barrels, but for the most part, it is 24-26.
Molon Labe
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 445
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 445 |
Remington Seven in 308 with 20" barrel.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,508
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,508 |
One thing I've noticed over the last few years is that some manufacturers are making .25-06 rifles with 22 Inch barrels. That is one cartridge that I would prefer a 24 inch barrel.
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 35
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 35 |
I love shorter lighter rifles and have never felt at a disadvantaged with shorter barrels my favorite is 20inch short action rifle. Right Now my favorite is a Rem model 7 LSS in 7mm-08 and my new favorite my be my new Sako Finnlight 7mm-08 na maybe a tie. Widow
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,468
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,468 |
Other than a magnum caliber it is hard to find a factory rifle with a 24" barrel, most are 22" or 20". Reloading books still publish velocities with 24" or more test barrels. Kinda leaves one in no mans land.
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934 |
Other than a magnum caliber it is hard to find a factory rifle with a 24" barrel, most are 22" or 20". Reloading books still publish velocities with 24" or more test barrels. Kinda leaves one in no mans land. I agree. Why is that? Also, I have a 204 and a 22-250 both in short and long barrel versions ... they both sure seem like they don’t reach their full potential until you shoot them out the 26ers. Just my opinion.
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I'm a proud member of the BGE cult ... yes, I consider myself an EGGHEAD
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,871
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,871 |
23" on a 7mm-08 and 30-06
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,468
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,468 |
Other than a "custom" rifle, where does one find a 23" barrel? I do agree that would be a happy medium. I just bought a new rifle, looked long and hard at just about everything available and 22" or 20" seems to be the norm now. Actually the Sako I bought was 22.4" (569mm)
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,298 Likes: 26
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,298 Likes: 26 |
My favorite rifle wears a 26 inch Lilja...but truth be told, I may have it lopped off to 20". Some folks like a muzzle heavy rifle, but I don't for the most part.
For the smaller rounds I usually shoot, 26" barrels are a waste of metal and weight IMO. You don't need that much barrel to burn 30 or 40 grains of powder. I've found the small velocity gain per inch past 20" or so to not be worth weight of the long barrel. Other's mileage may vary.
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934 |
My favorite rifle wears a 26 inch Lilja...but truth be told, I may have it lopped off to 20". Some folks like a muzzle heavy rifle, but I don't for the most part.
For the smaller rounds I usually shoot, 26" barrels are a waste of metal and weight IMO. You don't need that much barrel to burn 30 or 40 grains of powder. I've found the small velocity gain per inch past 20" or so to not be worth weight of the long barrel. Other's mileage may vary. It truly is a great debate! Especially within myself. Lol
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I'm a proud member of the BGE cult ... yes, I consider myself an EGGHEAD
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,968 Likes: 6
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,968 Likes: 6 |
I like 20-22" on short action cartridges, 22" on 30-06 based cartridges. I no longer own anything in a magnum, but 24" is as long as I want to deal with.
Most people don't really want the truth.
They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.
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