barrel lenght and velocity loss

[buckgobbler]

I am getting a great deal on a ruger compact with a 16.5" barrel in 260 rem. Figured it would be a great tree stand gun and work well for my kids coming up.

Was wondering if any body has chronographed what the velocity loss is in the shorter barrel? remington figures 20fps per 1" which would put me right at 150fps loss. I was wondering how accurate this figure is?

Thanks

[vangunsmith]

That sounds about right,in the article i have read that one usually loses 45-60fps for every 2" cut off the barrel.That still shouldn,t hurt your guns performance in doing its job when you see that nice trophy pass on by. vangunsmith

[James B]

A chronograph is the only way to know for sure. While I am a big fan of the 260, I have heard not so good stuff about the 260 with short barrels. Proper bullet choice might help but I have read quite a few credable reports of poor bullet performance because of lack of velocity. It might help to drop down to the 100 grain Partition. The best thing I have read comes from the performance of the ballistic tip however. I think a 24 inch barrel would serve the 260 much better. IMO