barrel length

[zx10mike]

hi chaps its been a while.i have a 26" 1 in 11 and would not mind the barrel a bit shorter and would welcome you thoughts on this .good or bad idea?
cheers mike

[Rick in Oregon]

To that end, I have a Cooper M21 MTV in 204 that came with a 26" barrel, NOT the listed length in Coopers catalog. I sent it to the factory and had it cut back to 24" (my favorite length), and the handling was immediately better (to me), and the velocity actually increased a substantial amount.

I have an older post here detailing the entire event with targets and velocity readings if you care to poke about to find it. I think you'll be pleased with the handling of the rifle when it's cut back to the more managable length of 24"....JMO.

[zx10mike]

thankyou rick a big help as allways,and fast

[zx10mike]

ok i will re ask that in a different way and hope i get a few replies.what length barrel are you guys shooting.

[Hedge]

Savage 12 FCV with 26" bbl.

[Neil S.]

I shoot a savage 12FV with a 26 inch Criterion 11 twist barrel (204 Ruger). I have only fired 76 rounds through it, but man is it a shooter! With a mild load of RL-10x (24.5 grains) I get a little over 3700 FPS with the 40 V-Max. It is a bit heavy for a walk about varmint gun, but its so accurate I carry it around anyways . Here he is:



I just bought another varmint gun (cooper MTV m38 in 20VT) and I made sure it had a 24 inch barrel. I'm looking forward seeing how much better it handles.

[zx10mike]

that barrel looks sexy as f***.nice looking bit of kit,makes me want to get my barrel polished.26" is the length so far i was hoping lots of people would say cut it down it wont affect accuracy,cheers for the reply chaps

[Neil S.]

zx10mike- Just to be clear, a 26 inch barrel is NOT inherently more accurate than a 24 inch barrel. Usually people go with a longer barrel to gain velocity, but as RIO found it doesn't always work like that. Another thing about a 26" varmint contour barrel is that it makes the gun very front heavy. I have had to shoot the gun off hand a few times at game, and I find I cannot hold it as steady as my lighter rifles because all of the weight is on my support arm. Food for thought!

[zx10mike]

must be honest velocity is not a concern,i am only worried about losing accuracy.rio has 24" but the cost of cutting and having it re proofed is about 120 pound for two inch reduction how much would i notice it?would prefer 22" or less or am i being a tight butt.

[Bill K]

ok i will re ask that in a different way and hope i get a few replies.what length barrel are you guys shooting.

23 inch bull barrel, satin finish, 1 in 12 twist.. Works just fine.. Bill K

[zx10mike]

thanks bill

[trappinjohn]

For what it's worth, the most accurate barrel I own is a 12" SSK contender barrel in 6mm-223.
Velocity will change and the preferred powder could change if a lot was cut off, but can't think your accuracy should be affected.

[wirelessguy2005]

I agree with Rick on the 24" barrel. I typically stick with 23" or 24" for all my 17 and 20 caliber rifles. That seems to be a happy medium on velocity, balance/feel of the rifle, as well as accuracy. Just my 2 cents.

Brad

[zx10mike]

well thanks for all your help chaps,i thought sod it and went for a 22".will let you know how i get on.

[bigt73]

well a friend has lent me a chono, so tomorrow i will test my 18" barrel on my .204 using re-10x i have a few loads made up and will chrono up max load and then put on this forum..

tony