What is everyones opinion on getting a 22" vs a 26" barrell for a 243? Do I lose that much in accuracy & distance? Thanks

I was pondering the same thing. I notice Remington and Ruger use 22" bbl.in .243. I was looking at the Weatherby Vanguard in .243 because of the price and the fact it uses a 24". Some say no difference with 22" or 24" so I would think a 26" might offer a little more velocity and maybe better accuracy. Maybe not. I believe in at least a 24" barrel for all my non-magnum calibers. I guess I'm stubborn.

sareece, I'm not surewhat the difference in velocity would be in a .243 from a 22" vs 26". But....in typical hunting conditions and ranges up to 250 yds. I don't think any deer is going to notice the difference. IMO the shorter barrel will have less "whip" and will be nicer handling.

..or the 26" barrel might have more velocity and better accuracy at 250 yards.

Why would a longer barrel improve accuracy?

According to "The Encyclopedia of Sporting Firearms" by David E. Petzal. "The loss per inch of barrel length has been listed as being anywhere from 25 f/s to as much as 50 f/s. The smaller capacity centerfire rifle cases that use powders with fast to medium burning rates show very little velocity loss between normal sporter length barrels of 24 and 22 inches." Good luck.

It won't unless you are using open sights and then only because of the longer sighting plane.

IMO there's no difference in accuracy between a 22" and a 26" barrel.....if anything the shorter ballel will be more accurate but that's not always true.

Loss of velocity in the 4" can be expected to be less than 100'/sec.

Forget the accuracy and velocity issues.....do you like long barrels or shorter ones.....and whatever the answer is go get it.

I like a 24" barrel on my hunting rifles for the most part. If you like the 22" barrel, then by all means you should use it.

Tomfromtheshade, which Harrisbipod do you use. How many inches is it? Is it thepivoting one?