22 or 24
 

I'm getting close to choosing a smith and having a 30-06 built. Is there any worthwhile reason to have a 24 inch vs. 22 inch barrel on an ought-six?

Also, I'm thinking about building from a Rem 700, and using a McMillan Edge stock with a Lilja barrel (#3 or #4 contour). Anything else I should be thinking about instead?

RE: 22 or 24
 

Just out of common snese standpoint, get it longer- you can always lop off a few inches and recrown, but you cannot add more barrel if you start off short.

RE: 22 or 24
 

AMEN!!!!!!

RE: 22 or 24
 

I am on the long side of the spectrum on the 30 06. I would want a 26" barrel. There is a pretty fair load of powder in that casing. Make use of it.

RE: 22 or 24
 

How much fps could you pick up going from a 22 to 24 with just a .30-06? I guess I thought it would be negligable. Also was wondering if shorter barrels (within reason) are sometimes more accurate (more consistant vibration)?

Thanks.

RE: 22 or 24
 

I don't rember where I was reading this information, but a 23" barrel on a 30-06 Sprg. is about the length for all powder to be burnt in this cartridge. I amgetting a 30-06 Sprg. rebarreled, and I opted for a 24" barrel. Good luck.

RE: 22 or 24
 

the only logical reason i can see for going with a shorter barrel is to save weight. but the weight difference between 22 and 24 inches is only gonna be at the most a 2 oz difference. Id go with the 24 inch barrel, 2 oz more isnt gonna break your back hiking through the woods any increase in velocity is always a plus even if its just a couple feet per second also from my experience longer barrels tend to be more generous in the accuracy department.

RE: 22 or 24
 

Personally, I wouldn't consider having a 30-06 with a barrel longer than 22"

No reason for it at all.

RE: 22 or 24
 

If you find someone with an 22 inch barrel 06, shoot it at night. You will see just how much burn your have outside the barrel.

RE: 22 or 24
 

good call, one of my 308's has a 22 inch barrel fired at night the fireball is about a foot loot long and a foot in diameter. my 30-06 which has a 24 inch barrel has fireball about 6 inches long and 6 inches in diameter.

you might say "owe but they probably have different powders" which is not the case in the 308 I used a 165 grain sierra BTHP gameking with 46 grains varget and in the 30-06 load I used a 180 grain NP with 47 grains varget.