Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Does a barrel's shank length effect accuracy?

I know a barrel's shank length will effect the weight/balance of a rifle. However, does a barrel's shank length have any effect on a rifle's accuracy and/or consistency. For example, would a 7mm-08 with a #2 contour barrel and a 1" shank be any more accurate/consistent then a 7mm-08 with a #2 contour barrel and a .5" shank. Thanks for any information.

Nope. Worry about other issues.

Never........

W

Affect accuracy? I avoid rifles with 1/2 inch shanks just for that very reason. As far as the shank length affecting the weight and balance of a rifle goes, this is definitely true. For instance, if you have two identical rifles, rifle (A) with a 22 inch, #1 contour barrel chambered in 257 Rob with a 1" shank, and rifle (B) with a 22 inch, #1 contour barrel chambered in 257 Rob with a 1/2 inch shank, rifle (A) will out weight rifle (B) by 1/2 inch. The balance point will likely shift 1/4 inch which could really throw a person off his game. Of course rifle (B) would be extremely dangerous to shoot. If you were to improve rifle (A), it will be 1 thread lighter plus whatever metal shavings you lose from the new chamber, which is dependent on whether the reamer is brand new or has a few sharpenings on it. A new reamer is more likely to remove a little more metal than a used reamer which affects weight. Hopefully this helps.

FWIW, I agree with Karnis, there ARE bigger things to worry about than shank length.

you talking about shank as the barrel threading? or chamber area. Chamber area dont effect accuracy, does 2 things 1> if you bed forward of yout recoil lug give you more bedding surface but on free floated barrels doent mean nothing 2. if your useing a longer cartridge gives you more metal around your caseing, I use 3" extra chamber area on my 338-416, 300 ultra and 300 wbys.

I am referring to barrel shank as the distance immediately after the recoil lug to the start of the barrel taper. The reason I am interested in this topic has to do with ordering a McMillan stock. When ordering, you must select barrel shank length for inletting of custom barrel contours.

That uniform, cylindrical portion of the barrel from the receiver to the transition point of taper is generally referred to as the "cylinder". The term "shank" is usually a reference to the threaded portion of the barrel, or tenon.

just tell mcmillian the make of the barrel and the taper they will take care of the rest

gemby58,
You are wrong.

never been wrong on the 30 some stocks I ordered off them, well guess I cant be right all the time, just happen this way with me, and I I go do a count it would be over 30 for sure

Here's the Mcmillan order form from the Campfire. Note 2e.

Available Options:
1a. Stock Pattern:
1b. Select Stock Orientation:
1c. Construction/Fill Weight:
2a. Action Inlet:
2b. Select Action Orientation:
2c. Bottom Metal Inlet:
2d. Barrel Channel Inlet:
2e. Barrel Shank Length:
For Custom Barrels ONLY
3a. Rifle Caliber::
4a. Recoil Pad:
4b. Length of Pull:
5a. Finish:
5b. Molded-In Colors & Ratio:
5c. Sling Studs:
7b. International Shipping:
8. Pillar Installation:

that should say "finished barrel shank/cylinder length". C'mon Rick!