Barrel length on a 22-250. Does Length Matter???

[Dave from MN]

Gentlemen,

I have the opportunity to purchase a 22-250 in a Ruger M77 at a very reasonable price.  The question I have concerns the length of the barrel.  This particular rifle sports a 22" barrel.  Is that of concern?  I understand that certain rounds perform best with a certain barrel length - for example, 25-06 and 24" barrels.  Is there a recommended barrel length for the 22-250?  Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks!

Dave from MN

[mjbgalt]

all the female friends i have assure me that size does not matter unless the big or small is an extreme, so unless your barrel is 3" or 50" you should be ok.


what were we talking about?


     

-Matt

[Coyote Hunter]

Dave -

There are Pro's and Con's to a shorter barrel.

Con --
You will see a loss in velocity compared to a longer barrel.  Figure somewhere between 25fps and 50fps per inch.  That means 50-100fps when compared to a 24" barrel, and maybe double that for when compared to a 26" barrel.  For reference, my 40g Nosler BT loads chrono'd out at 4052fps from a 24" barrel.

Pro --
The shorter barrel should be stiffer, enhancing accuracy.  The rifle will be much handier and quicker to point, one reason I’ve been using my 22” .257 Roberts lately instead of my .2-250 with it’s 26 barrel.  And the velocity loss isn't great enough to make a big difference -- chances are that when you start shooting out far enough, you're going to miss because you missed, not because the bullet drop caused it.  For example, take a 40g Nosler BT at 4052fps and compare it to the same bullet at 3952fps, with both loads zeroed for Maximum Point Blank Range for a 6” diameter target (max +3” rise and -3” drop):

Code: [Select]


Range 3952fps 4052fps
400 -8.6” -7.7”
450 -15.3” -14.0”
500 -24.0” -22.2”

Even if you’re shooting prairie dogs at 500 yards, the difference is negligible.

Get what you like and practice will take care of the rest.

[Dave from MN]

Coyote Hunter,

Thanks for taking the time to provide me with your thoughts on this matter.  Great advice, as usual!

Dave

[Catfish]

If you look at the difference in velosity and maybe even accuracy on paper there will be a big difference. If you look at in the field hunting you will see no difference.

[Lawdog]

all the female friends i have assure me that size does not matter unless the big or small is an extreme, so unless your barrel is 3" or 50" you should be ok.


what were we talking about?

Celebrating early are we ‘mjbgalt’?   :-D   The one other con against a shorter barrel is the increase of muzzle blast.  The shorter the louder thus increasing the need for hearing protection.  Lawdog
 

[mjbgalt]

glad someone finally commented on that, i was starting to think i was the only one seeing it lol

[Patriot_1776]

all the female friends i have assure me that size does not matter unless the big or small is an extreme, so unless your barrel is 3" or 50" you should be ok.


what were we talking about?

I don't even know whether it had anything to do with, or is even an appropriate reply, to the original questions stated by Dave from MN. :?
 

This particular rifle sports a 22" barrel. Is that of concern?  I understand that certain rounds perform best with a certain barrel length - for example, 25-06 and 24" barrels. Is there a recommended barrel length for the 22-250?

Thanks Coyote Hunter, for your professional and relevant response to Dave's questions.   Patriot

[mjbgalt]

never mind

[coyote 2]

If you start looking at the weapon - pretty much any kind - they are going away from the long barrels. With the new factory loads - powder and bullets - to me a long barrel is 24" - short is 16 1/4". My preference is the 20" barrel for most of my weapons. All my weapons now support 20" barrels - with one being 16 1/2 - my AR15. As Coyote hunter (glad he is not around me) stated - 25FPS loss in one inch of barrel is very acceptable. At some point - in a longer barrel - you loose the force of the power pushing the bullet out the barrel - you then have to deal with drag factory from the barrel on the bullet. As also was stated - a shorter barrel is sure a lot easier to handle.