Blackelk

All rifle barrels gain velocity per inch of added barrel length. If that were not true then you would not gain velocity as the barrel gets longer. 30 cal rifles and smaller gain more velocity per inch of barrel vs. big bore calibers, but they also gain velocity just not as much as quickly. For an example you take a 270 win in a 20" barrel and shoot a standard 3060 fps factory load it will only go about 2900 fps through a chronograph. Using a 24" barrel in the 270 win and same ammo it will go the 3060 fps because that was the length of most test barrels to generalize the 130 gr bullets that most run of the mill ammunition is loaded to. Using the same scenario and adding a 26" barrel to the mix the average velocity will be around 3140 fps using the same ammunition you started out with in all the other barrels. That's averaging 40fps per inch of barrel from 20" to 26". This I've tested myself through a chronograph using the same ammunition all in the same session with different barrel lengths. I did have a 28" barreled 270 win and that particular gun showed signs of pressure on the cases using some of the same loads that I had shot in my 26" barrel. I'm not sure just how long of a barrel would have to be to stop building pressure but I'm taking a safe bet you could go 36" before you created bullet drag in most modern fast big game calibers.

So the end result is you can build a lower pressure load and gain the same outcome of a hotter load by using a longer barrel plus it spreads the pressure out from the chamber throughout the barrel. Using a slower burning powder in this setup also creates more of a stable controlled explosion vs. a blast. Which in turn lowers the overall pressure of the load. When loaded for maximum loads in longer barreled rifles you do need to watch for signs of pressure.

All this is not needed to shoot long range or stabilize a bullet for great accuracy but at longer ranges added ft lbs for shooting game who wouldn't want to consider it. At 500 yards added fps is added ft lbs and less guess work on trajectory. It's all a + in my book. When I look at rifles I look at the ones with long barrels.

schoolcraft

So after a little looking.......it seems like Ruger is all 24" in magnums. The nice magnum rifes that CZ are making are all UNDER 24" (23.6"). Remington seems to be about 50/50 on their models (XCR II is 24" and CDL is still 26"). Browning seems to be 26" across the board in magnum calibers.
Interestingly enough, most of the high end production/custom rifles seem to stay with 24" barrels in magnums. (Nosler's rifles, Cooper, ect.).....and also Hill Country Rifles in their custom rifles.

Interesting.....

BCRules

I think your going to have to ask yourself what is going to be the main use of this gun.

If its open country hunting like Colorado, go with 26". If its thick black spruce country like eastern Canada, with many chances for long shots, go with 22-24". If its mainly a paper puncher, go with 26". If its an all around deer/elk/moose/bear gun, I would go with 24".

Sheridan

24" to 26" barrel on a quality hunting rifle in 7MM RM is not going to add up to a hill of beans.


For me, the weight of any "mountain rifle" is the larger concern.


+/- 6.5 lbs unscoped is a good starting point IMO.


Anything heavier than that is for the flat land or truck hunting (ATV/horseback, etc.).

schoolcraft

BCRules and Sheridan,

I think ya'll are both right on.....

The vast majority of my hunting will either be from box stands watching field edges or gas pipeline right of ways OR the occasional still hunt through timber.

My rifle won't be an ultralight, but it won't be heavy either. With a finished rifle weight of apx. 7 1/4 lbs., a set of Talley Lightweight rings/bases, and a Swarovski Z3 3-10X42....I should be 3 or 4 oz. over 8lbs.

Sheridan

Schoolcraft,

You got yourself a rig any of us would love to have.

The time for second guessing your decision is over......................never look back !!!


Most importantly now, is to put it to good use & enjoy your new custom hunting rifle.