Hey y'all!

I was wondering about barrel length and what advantages a shorter barrel would have over a longer, and vis versa. Small game hunting btw.

Thanks for any help!

Short barrels are less likley to be affected by whip and harmonics that can affect POI. I like short barrels in the woods for the lighter weight and manueverability.

Longer barrels let your rifle get the greater velocities that a round can offer.

I'm sure there are more pros and cons but those are the aspects I'm most aware of.

While this is true.....I'm far more interested in the handling and maneuvering of the rifle than the velocity so I gravitate to the shorter barrels.....20-22"

I heartily recommend to every shooter to pick his barrel length to match his likes for balance, weight, and handling over the velocity loos or gain.....The handling of the rifle is far more important than the 100 FPS there may be in a different length barrel!

For small game at reasonable distances..............use a handy rifle IMO.

In other words - no big deal !

Right ?

Thanks for the info, guys, big help!

It's actually a lot like fishing when it come to barrel length isn't it? Shorter barrel, more maneuverability, longer barrel, more distance/FPS.

I really doubt I'll be hunting anything to thick, so I think a longer barrel would better? I also don't think I'll be making any long shots.

Short is handy and long is not (to a point)...get a rifle that balances well and you're off to a good start.

What caliber of gun are you using? For me it depends alot on the caliber of gun I am using. I wouldnt own my 257 stw in anything under a 26 inch barrel. If it had a 24 inch barrel Im not getting the full potential of the cartridge and wouldve been just as well off saving money and buying a 257 weatherby. Same can be said for any magnums. A 300 win becomes a 30-06 that recoils alot harder with a 22 inch barrel. Certain rounds are designed to perform in shorter barrels i.e. the wsm cartridges with 23 and 24 inch tubes. If I was hunting the woods all the time where long shots are 200 yards I wouldnt worry about barrel length. But then I probably wouldnt be using a magnum rifle sighted in 3 inches high at a hundred yards either. I hunt mostly the Nevada desert where shots can be long. I am a firm believer in getting the most out of my cartridge so that I can get flattest trajectory possible. There is a reason why most magnum rifles come with 26 inch barrels. That reason is velocity. And to be honest Ive never noticed any difference in accuracy between short and long barrels.

Generally, I like the barrel length to match the concept and use of the rifle! Mine go from 18.5 to 26" depending on the rifle and cartridge.

24" is great 26" is better ( IMHO )

What cartridge? What is small game to you?