barrel length

[billy]

In a 7mm08 would you gain much from a 24 inch barrel over a 20 inch barrel?

[Zachary]

I would say about 20 fps per inch, so about 80 fps or so.

I like 24" barrels on short action and standard long action cartridges (and no less than 22") and at least 24" on magnums, and preferably 26" but that's just my preference.

Zachary

[safetysheriff]

no one can 'guarantee' you a gain at all.......because of the fact that some barrels are 'fast' and some are 'slow'.     that's an honest answer.

however, i'd guess that Zach's posting, which agrees with Remigton's own Estimates in their catalogs, is about right.   that would be the 'average' that one would expect.

that being said,  the 20" barrel in a Model Seven, compared to the 24" barrel in a Model 700 (sps?) would allow the Model Seven to be very handy in close cover.    for deer hunting the 20" barrel with lighter bullets would be a good compromise in many/most situations.   for hunting bear or elk i'd definitely want the longer barrel and the help it would give with the heavier bullet's velocities.   (for me, i'd like the 24" inch barrel regardless, because of the greater velocities across the board.)  

hope that helps,

ss'

[nasem]

Well, lets look at simple physics, when you have a long barrel vs a shorter one here is the things you need to know:

When things travel at high velocities (like bullets) especially in a tight area (like a rifle barrel) they will cause a “vacuum” reaction behind them……which means the barrel itself become a “vacuum” that sucks all the air behind the bullet (thus, “PUSHING” the bullet outward)  theoretically speaking, the longer the barrel, the more power your bullet “will” have.  And of course, longer barrels means more accuracy

[Lawdog]

In a 7mm08 would you gain much from a 24 inch barrel over a 20 inch barrel?

Depending on all variables between 100 to 200 fps.  Lawdog
 

[nasem]

means the barrel itself become a “vacuum” that stinks all the air behind the




Sorry guys that is supposed to say "sucks" not stinks :grin:

[Ramrod]

billy, here is how I see it. If you want a little short cartridge designed for a little short gun, buy it. If you want a long cartridge designed for a longer gun, get that. Don't try to mix it up. As far as 7 mm cartidges go, guess what the 7mm-08 was designed for? What do you think about it compared to the optimum barrel lengths for the .280 Rem. or any of the 7mm Mags.?

[Slamfire]

Not enough to make a difference, it takes 200 fps to increase the range a lousy 25 yards.  

[safetysheriff]

Well, lets look at simple physics, when you have a long barrel vs a shorter one here is the things you need to know:

When things travel at high velocities (like bullets) especially in a tight area (like a rifle barrel) they will cause a “vacuum” reaction behind them……which means the barrel itself become a “vacuum” that stinks all the air behind the bullet (thus, “PUSHING” the bullet outward)  theoretically speaking, the longer the barrel, the more power your bullet “will” have.  And of course, longer barrels means more accuracy

is it me, or is there something wrong with that posting above? :roll:

[gunnut69]

In a barrel there is NOT a vacuum. The pressure of the exppanding gases from the powder combustion pushes the bullet down and out. When a bullet travels thru the air the turnulence of it's passing does create a vacuum. That's the physics behind the long range characteristics of boat tailed bullets(small base=smaller area of vacuum). Also the statement that longer barrels are more accurate is incorrect. Most benchrest rifle barrels are quite short. The short the barrel, all else the same, the stiffer the barrel and that IS good for accuracy.  The difference between a long action and a short action is less than 1/2 inch(perhaps less than 1/4) so 4 inches would have a difference on the utility of the rifle, if you believe in the short action fad. I do not. I've never believed the couple of ounces removed by the slightly shorter action would make any difference at all in the rifles curbside weight.. all else being the same. It may be 2-4 ounces lighter and that's less than a couple of rounds of ammo.. The super short rounds can be a pain to get to feed but they will feed if correctly set up. I feel they were invented to sell more rifles..

[lilabner]

Check out the length differential between a short action rifle and a long action rifle. There isn't much difference between a short action rifle with a 24 inch barrel and a long action rifle with a 22 inch barrel so the handiness factor is minimal. In the 30-06 round, an inch of barrel loses you 25 fps with GI ammunition per Hatcher's Notebook. A 7-08 should be in that neighborhood but possibly a bit less loss. The use you'll make of the rifle is important - if short range shots in the woods are the rule, the 20 inch barrel is handier and a good choice. If long range shot opportunities might be encountered, I would prefer a 24 inch barrel for the increase in downrange energy and the slightly flatter trajectory. But, that's just me. Get a loading manual and look at the downrange ballistics numbers before you decide.