30-06 barrel length
02-19-2013, 07:42 AM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 64
30-06 barrel length
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.
02-19-2013, 09:14 AM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Virginia / West Virginia
Posts: 4,906
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.
02-19-2013, 11:11 AM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,905
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.
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.
02-19-2013, 11:41 AM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,081
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
02-19-2013, 06:51 PM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NE Alabama
Posts: 1,060
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?
