I buying a browning a bolt II medallion in 30-06. I spoke with northern firearms gun shop and they said they are one of the biggest browning dealers and custom order them in 26in or 22in. I hunt deer, elk, moose, etc and shoot anywhere from 100 to 500 yards. I don't care about extra rifle weight but im just looking for what length would be the most accurate. Any opinions would be greatly apreciated.

Most published ballistics are taken from a 26" barrel.


.................for what that's worth.

22" is fairly standard for a .30-06. 24" is sometimes the choice, but 22" usually makes more sense.

All I know for sure is that shorter barrels will have a slight loss in velocity. Not sure which is typically more accurate between those lengths (in that rifle)....but I know accuracy can be had with a 22" barrel because I have one that will shoot .5" groups with a 22" light contour barrel with handloads. Personally I would opt for 22" over 26" just due to handling and weight, but I am partial to lighter setups.

Out to 500 yards, you will not notice the difference between a 22 inch to 28 inch barrel for accuracy. Muzzle velocity will improve for the longer barrels, with the biggest bang for the inch somewhere around the 24-26" mark for the '06 case, but overall accuracy won't really be as effected by the barrel length itself.

That said, a 26" pencil barrel may actually flex moreso than a shorter, relatively stiffer barrel. Cutting a longer barrel dictates that you need a bit more barrel diameter at the shank especially.

There is not much pride in owning a Nip made gun.

The 30-06 doesnt need anything over a 22" barrel. Most 30-06's come with a 22" barrel for that reason. You only gain about 15fps per inch on a 30-06, 4" is about 60fps, not worth the extra length to me. JMO

Nomercy you are right ~ per usual.



Stiffer barrels are inherently more accurate.

Longer barrels gain in muzzle velocity.

My 700 in 30-06 is 24'' and it'll shoot 1'' or 1 1/2'' groups at 100 yards killed deer with it out to 275 yards. Didn't know Browning made a 06 with a 26'' bbl thought that was just for magnum calibers?