22" VS 24" barrel...any "on game" performance difference???

schoolcraft · 04-13-2010, 08:50 AM

Looking for a new rifle to take serve as my primary deer/hog rifle.

Been looking all over, even buying and selling some rifles, and I've finally decided that I've "bonded" with the Ruger M77 Hawkeye.

Ruger uses 22" and 24" barrels for their standard and magnum calibers instead of the 24" and 26" many other manufactures use.

I know there will be some "on paper" velocity loss with a 2" shorter barrel.....but will that equate into any "terminal" loss of performance on game?

Let's say i go with a 7mm. Rem. Mag. (long time favorite round), about how much velocity should I expect to loose with Rugers 24" barrel vs Remington or Brownings 26" barrel?

Still deciding between .270, .30-06, and 7mm. Rem. Mag.....any opinions on caliber are welcome. I love to get feedback from other users here.

Thanks,

Matt Schoolcraft

DeerandbearhoG · 04-13-2010, 09:33 AM

at one point I had a savage 114 and a rem 700 sps,both 7mag. I was trying to decide which one to sell, so I chronied both guns w/ the same 160gr load. surprisingly there was no difference in velocity.

bigbulls · 04-13-2010, 09:39 AM

Quote:

but will that equate into any "terminal" loss of performance on game?

Absolutely not.

Frank in the Laurel · 04-13-2010, 09:50 AM

NONE whatsoever!! The only difference would be a little velocity and only in some cartridges..for the average JOe hunter it not even worth talking or thinking about..

Scott Gags · 04-13-2010, 10:10 AM

2 inches of barrel is usually around a 50 FPS difference with most cartridges. When you look a the ballistics 50 FPS equates to around 25 yards more range. In other words a 30-06 that pushes a 180 grain bullet at 2700 fps at the muzzle with be travelling at around 2650 at 25 yards.

That is not much difference at all and unlikely to ever make a difference in the field even at the limit of a cases effective range.

skb2706 · 04-13-2010, 10:52 AM

Yep....bullets fired from the 22" barrel will bounce off the average deer. Those fired from 24" will not only kill instantly but the deer will be able to tell the difference.

schoolcraft · 04-13-2010, 11:16 AM

Yep....bullets fired from the 22" barrel will bounce off the average deer. Those fired from 24" will not only kill instantly but the deer will be able to tell the difference.

LOL.....I guess I had that coming.

skb2706 · 04-13-2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schoolcraft

Yep....bullets fired from the 22" barrel will bounce off the average deer. Those fired from 24" will not only kill instantly but the deer will be able to tell the difference.

LOL.....I guess I had that coming.

Sorry..it slipped. Doubtful that within parameters of several hundred feet per second there is little difference. Not nearly as much as us gun nuts like to believe.

Remember that internet information is a wonderful thing but it is possible to way over think it. What worked great for some us for many years we now find, via the information highway, is substandard and lacking.

skeeter 7MM · 04-13-2010, 04:55 PM

No difference on game. On paper using 50fps ie ='s 2% loss in velocity. I wouldn't think twice buy the rifle that feels/fits and you like best.

Cartridge; all 3 are fine choices. The rem mag and 06 IMO are better choices if you ever want to use the "rifle" for larger then deer game.

Ridge Runner · 04-13-2010, 05:05 PM

umm, nope!
RR