22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

I was just wondering if there is a huge difference between the performance of a 22 inch barrel and a 24 inch barrel. The reason I ask is due to the ammunition web sites. They always show ballistic results from a 24 inch test barrel. I have a 22 inch barrel and I am wondering if the velocity trajectory and energy will be drastically different. I dont think this is a fruedian level case of barrel envy, I just wanna know so I can make up the difference in trajectory. Let me know what ya'll think, EJ

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

On average I see 50-100fps delta.

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

BC, why is it Federal list thier ballistics with a 24" barrel? I always wondered.

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

Couldn't tell ya. I guess to make thier number look good. my 50-100fps is from my guns.

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

I have heard rumors that a 270 using a 22inch barrel performs better than a 270 with a 24 inch barrel. Any truth to that at all?:eek:

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

Actually swampman, I have heard similar things such as the 30-06 can reach optimum velocity with the 22 inch barrel but a 2 inch longer one increases the accureacy. I have also heard that magnum rifles need that extra barrel length to burn all of that extra powder. I am not trying to make a case for or against, I just would like to know what the truth really is on the matter. EJ

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

A 270 was what I was basing my results on comparing the barrels. I got ~70fps gain in using a 24" barrel. I am sure alot has to do with powder used. I was using IMR4350. Also tried IMR4064 for my semi with simular results. But the semi got much lower velocity than a bolt of the same barrel length.

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

ejpaul1
You are correct about magnums needing extra barrel to burn the powder, a magnum with a barrel shorter than 24-26 will not burn the extra powder resulting in a loss of velocity and energy making the magnum cartridge a standard one. No sense at all having a short barreled magnum. :D

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

Hey bigcountry, How much difference from the semi to the bolt in velocity? I used to have one and a pal of mine told me that there is a substantial difference between the bolt and semi action, I have always wanted to know what percentage of velocity loss the semi had. EJ

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

BC,
The same load produced lower velocities from the same barrel length in a semi? Or are you saying the bolt is a 24 and the semi a 22?

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

Sorry BC,
I read your post wrong. You're saying that with the same load in the same barrel length you get lower velocities from a semi. Why do you think that is? Lost energy because of the blowback? Just curious, not debating.

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

All barrel lengths chosen are a compromise. Most, if not all, ammo manufacturers chose 24" as the standard test barrel length (for standard rifle cartridges), because that length is a good compromise between velocity and reproducibility (that is, their numbers wouldn't be terribly realistic, if they had chosen 30" for test barrels....because rather few people carry 30"- barreled rifles in the field). The 24" length is fairly common...and will produce a bit better velocity numbers than 22", or 20", etc. The standard test barrel length for magnum cartridges is 26"....for the same reasons.

The decision had nothing to do with accuracy. All other things being held equal, accuracy tends to be better in a SHORTER barrel, not longer.

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

Hard tellin. I imagine the gas system has something to do with it. But the bolts stays locked until ignition, so the initial pressure is the same as a bolt. I am not sure.

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

BC,
I don't know either. I wish someone on here knew the answer. Sure would be interested in knowing. It's sure not something the folks who sell semis publish.

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

None as far as velocity is concerned.

No truth to that either.A 30-06 is capable of more velocity withy a longer barrel.Accuracy is not dependent on barrel length.

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

u know i hve heard that 2, from my local dealer. i asked the same ?

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

I suppose the final answer is that 2 inches is better for accureacy but nearly no difference to the average schmo. I know 2 inches less of steel is gonna be nice for hunting in the rockies first season for elk! EJ

RE: 22 or 24 inch barrel?
 

Absolutely not true.Longer barrels are in no way more accurate.In fact if anything, shorter stiffer barrels are usually easier to develop accurate loads for.