I have a 4" and 6" Highway Patrolman and I was wondering how much of a gain in velocity is obtained when shooting the same ammo in a 6" barrel over a 4" barrel? I don't have the equipment to do such a test and I'm sure others have already done it. I don't have any idea of the velocity increase and would like to know. TIA.
What is the Velocity Gained from a Longer Barrel?
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rockquarry
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Nothing firm on this, but about 25-35 fps per inch for rifle or handgun, and that's very general based on many years of chronographing. There are too many changeable factors at play to give anything better than a loose "average". Another good reason to chronograph loads.
A 4" gun with a .004 gap and and real smooth rifling may well get better velocity than a 6: with a larger gap and somewhat rougher rifling. One barrel is .3575 and the other is exactly .357. One load uses fast burning Bullseye and the other slow burning 2400 and there will be a bit less difference.
But, here is what I feel about that. The sighting radius will have more effect than the velocity. The effect on anything struck with a bullet going 100fps slower will be minimum and and anything poorly struck by either won't show much difference either. Your bullet being just 1" closer to fatal areas will have more effect.
That said I would rather be up against against a mediocre shot with a 6" gun than a good one with a 3" at 25 yards or more.
Which brings up another point. The ballistics of a handgun bullet. The drop from a bullet going 100fps less at 100 yards is negligible when compared to group size 99% can achieve at that range. At closer ranges the trajectory differences are even negligeble
I used to be a big fan of 6" guns and once built a Super Blackhawk 44 mag with a 14" barrel. Now, I mostly like to carry guns 4" or under. Walking around a 6" is ok on your hip, but sitting down, driving etc it is more problematic. Not terrible, just not as easy for what I think you gain.
But, here is what I feel about that. The sighting radius will have more effect than the velocity. The effect on anything struck with a bullet going 100fps slower will be minimum and and anything poorly struck by either won't show much difference either. Your bullet being just 1" closer to fatal areas will have more effect.
That said I would rather be up against against a mediocre shot with a 6" gun than a good one with a 3" at 25 yards or more.
Which brings up another point. The ballistics of a handgun bullet. The drop from a bullet going 100fps less at 100 yards is negligible when compared to group size 99% can achieve at that range. At closer ranges the trajectory differences are even negligeble
I used to be a big fan of 6" guns and once built a Super Blackhawk 44 mag with a 14" barrel. Now, I mostly like to carry guns 4" or under. Walking around a 6" is ok on your hip, but sitting down, driving etc it is more problematic. Not terrible, just not as easy for what I think you gain.
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On the average, you should see a increase of 50-60fps per inch in handgun barrels of 2-8 inches. The increase in velocity starts to fall off with longer barrels.
But this is just an average and your M28’s could be the exception to the rule. For example, I have a 6” model 66-1 that consistently outperforms my 8 3/8” model 27-2 by a bit over 50 feet per second using the same box of 158gr ammo despite having a shorter barrel. Only a chronograph can tell you for sure how your guns are working.
But this is just an average and your M28’s could be the exception to the rule. For example, I have a 6” model 66-1 that consistently outperforms my 8 3/8” model 27-2 by a bit over 50 feet per second using the same box of 158gr ammo despite having a shorter barrel. Only a chronograph can tell you for sure how your guns are working.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Years ago I tested several brands of 22 ammo in guns ranging from 2" to 29" barrel length. I was surprised at the results. I often hear a 22 peaks at around 16" but that was not my finding. Speed kept increasing with barrel length up to 25" or more. Now, the gains after 20" got pretty small but there were gains. Of course I was using different guns and not cutting down the barrel on the same gun so not a perfect test.
I did compare velocities of 38 Special ammo in 2" and 4" revolvers. My carry load clocked 1150 in a 4" gun and around 1100 in a 2" barrel. Should have tried a 6" gun for comparison.
I did compare velocities of 38 Special ammo in 2" and 4" revolvers. My carry load clocked 1150 in a 4" gun and around 1100 in a 2" barrel. Should have tried a 6" gun for comparison.
Having worked chrono on a lot of matches, IMHO guesstimates of what a given gun will chrono aren't worth spit. I have two "identical" Model 66s that consistently chrono 30fps different with PF 133 USPSA loads.
If you want to know, chrono.
If you want to know, chrono.
steveno
Member
M-28 4 inch 145 grain Silvertip (1290 fps)
1129 fps avg
M-28 6 inch
1412 fps avg
M-28 4 inch Remington 158 soft point (1240 fps)
1178 fps avg
M-28 6 inch
1301 fps avg
your results will probably vary
1129 fps avg
M-28 6 inch
1412 fps avg
M-28 4 inch Remington 158 soft point (1240 fps)
1178 fps avg
M-28 6 inch
1301 fps avg
your results will probably vary
Curious as to why the 4" gun is so much slower. Would expect some but 223 fps and 283fps seems like a bunch.
Just out of curiosity do you know the B/C gap on those 2 guns.
steveno
Member
no idea on the cylinder gap as it may or not make much of a difference in the long run.
there is such a things as guns that are "fast" and some are "slow".
I had a Ruger #1A with a 22 inch barrel and a #1B with a 26 inch barrel in 270 Winchester. the #1A with the shorter barrel was within 30 fps of the 26 inch barrel.
every gun is different. I have chrongraphed several hundred loads of various caliber over an Oehler 33 chronograph and you learn something every time out.
different lots of ammo could be and will probably be different
there is such a things as guns that are "fast" and some are "slow".
I had a Ruger #1A with a 22 inch barrel and a #1B with a 26 inch barrel in 270 Winchester. the #1A with the shorter barrel was within 30 fps of the 26 inch barrel.
every gun is different. I have chrongraphed several hundred loads of various caliber over an Oehler 33 chronograph and you learn something every time out.
different lots of ammo could be and will probably be different
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Oh ya, things like actual chamber diamentions, barrel smoothness, and exact size of the bore and rifling can have effects. Just that the B/C gap is variable many point at. It does make me curious.
The round that surprised me over my chrono was a 460 200gr Hornady!
8 3/8" S&W revolver was 2452fps and my 20" TC was 2999fps! The TC is much more pleasant to shoot!
jcelect
8 3/8" S&W revolver was 2452fps and my 20" TC was 2999fps! The TC is much more pleasant to shoot!
jcelect
nbedford
Member
I agree 100%, and that is why I chronograph every time I load with new bullets.
steveno
Member
The round that surprised me over my chrono was a 460 200gr Hornady!
8 3/8" S&W revolver was 2452fps and my 20" TC was 2999fps! The TC is much more pleasant to shoot!
jcelect
what is factory velocity for this load? that almost looks like you had the muzzle too close to the first screen
8 3/8" S&W revolver was 2452fps and my 20" TC was 2999fps! The TC is much more pleasant to shoot!
jcelect
what is factory velocity for this load? that almost looks like you had the muzzle too close to the first screen
That’s why 5” is the best
4” is too short for magnum, 6” is to long to holster in car or on horse, that is why 5” is best length for magnums!
4” is too short for magnum, 6” is to long to holster in car or on horse, that is why 5” is best length for magnums!
Roberto Renauld
Member
Velocity variation Vs barrel length
Regards
RR
+1 , the rule of the thumb for 1000fps muzzle velocity on wards the variation is +-50fps for changes in barrel lenghts of +- 1",..
Regards
RR
BigBill
Absent Comrade
6”/6.5”/7.5” shoulder holstered.? You can’t tell I got it on. Even in a car. I have a shoulder holster for a 10.5” barrel.
Your talking different FPS what about accuracy between the shorter vs longer barrels?
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