Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 25" Barrel?

Do any of you have a rifle set up with a 25" barrel? Why did you set it up that way, and how do you like the length?

Yes

I bought it that way

Not a fan, been meaning to cut it down for awhile.

Same here. I have a 25-284 with a 25" barrel. I'll send it off to have it cut down to 22". My first custom build was a 6mm AI and I requested the barrel be cut to 26" (by Pac Nor). Smithing is great, but that rifle has sat in the safe because I've learned I can't stand any rifle with a barrel longer than 22" (and I'm not a magnum fan at all).

Some love them�.but I hate them.

Yes.

I wanted the rifle to have a balance point just ahead of the trigger guard and trimming the barrel to 25" made that work.

It's OK in open country, but not a barrel length that I'd pick for still-hunting tight cover. If it was a rifle that I liked more and intended to use regularly, I'd probably cut the barrel back and buy a lighter McM stock for it.

Jeff

I'm the same, even 22" is starting to bother me.

Flutes sometimes dictate that you part a barrel off longer than you want. 25 does not bother me, have some with 28 inch barrels, but 22 is real handy.

My .257 wby was ordered with a 26" barrel, but there was a flaw in the last inch of the barrel so the smith lopped it off. No complaints on my end.

I've got a 25" 6mm Rem barrel on order right now. I ordered it because I like long barrels, but I wanted to be a little different.

There's a 25" 220 Swift at the ranch. Need to take a hacksaw to it and cut it back to 23ish inches one of these days.

Had one built with a 25" barrel and shortly had it lopped to 23". The only time I wish I had kept it at 25" is when I am shooting long range from the bench

my custom 22 bult on a 1922 springfield has a 25 inch oct br. very plesant to shoot and amazing accurate

my custom 22 bult on a 1922 springfield has a 25 inch oct br. very plesant to shoot and amazing accurate

Have had a couple. Both magnums.
Building a rifle now that will finish at 25 from bolt face to crown. It's an open country 300wsm throated for the 190 Berger.
More barrel usually = more speed.
I want as much barrel as I can stand on this particular rifle.

All my other rifles are 24" or shorter.

Built the bottom one with a 25" barrel (257 Wby). Chose 25" as a compromise for an open country deer rifle but could have gotten along just fine with a 26". Not a fan of anything longer except for maybe a LR steel or tactical "niche" rifle. For sporters, I see no reason for anything longer than 26", that includes overbore magnums like my 257 Bee................Happiness for me is 22" short action sporters, 24" for standard long actions (WSM's included), and 25 or 26" for overbore magnums. I've also found that 24" works well for .338" and above magnums as well.....



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Every response above has it's merits because it pertains to their very own needs/wants/desires.
You did not specify Caliber, Application,or YOUR Size (Heigth, Wgt,Cond & Age .
When you choose a Magnum Caliber, You usually do so because you are seeking Power & Range,When you use a short bbl.You detract from performance. Velocity loss can be up to 100fps per inch with some cartridges.
Carry weight is also a determining factor,when choosing a bbl length,On some barrels the difference between 22" & 26" can be almost a full pound.
I have used many combinations of bbl length & Caliber over the years.
When hunting in woods/timber a 22" bbl in a non-magnum caliber is chosen except for Elk & things that will eat me. When hunting more open mixed cover game fields ,If I have to carry the Rifle all day and the possibility of longer ranges will be encountered I choose a 24" Rifle and my personal choice is the 280 @ 3000fps. If I'm going to watch a cut or a field and sit/stand instead of still hunt and expect longer shots, I feel comfortable with a 26" bbl with a bit more weight to it.
The fluted bbl is an excellent means of utilizing a longer bbl,while still keeping the weight down .
These are some of my choices ,your mileage may vary . Good Hunting

First one was a compromise to make sure to get a good muzzle and crown on a 26" blank. I like it and will probably do others.

Now I order all barrels at 26" and leave them or trim them as needed for best balance and velocity. On a heavy rifle leave it at 26" and add weight to the butt to balance. On a lighter rifle with smaller cased cartridge trim back to balance. If I was a long range shooter, which I'm not, I would get all 28" or longer barrels.

Only find the longer barrels a disadvantage in vehicles and when slung and going through brush. Usually if slung muzzle down and unloaded then barrel length isn't too critical.

Spend more time in heavy brush with shotguns than rifles and they all have 26-28 inch barrels.

Personal preference really but 23 & 25" are my oddball favorites.

I have a 25 on a 280. I built it that way because the longer barrel looked better with the long fore arm on the Echols-pattern stock. GD

I have one on a 6AI. Wanted a compromise I guess. Couldn't decide 24 or 26 so I split the difference.

Yep custom .257 Weatherby by Kampfeld balances perfectly and I wanted the length for this chambering

And there you have the primary reason for 23 and 25 inch barrels! GD