More FPS with longer barrel?
- Thread starter RichardF
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Hasbeen1945
Absent Comrade
That’s a true statement with a magnum caliber and a slow burning powder.
But some calibers don’t need long barrel with faster burning powders to get max velocity.
But some calibers don’t need long barrel with faster burning powders to get max velocity.
That is mostly true
However there is a point of no additional return based on many things. Once you get there, longer barrels will not yield a gain.
Also, depending on the cartridge and powder selection, sometimes that gain is not as much as you would expect
In theory, yes, but it really depends upon the cartridge, bullet weight, and burning rate of the powder. Slow burning powders make good use of longer barrels, but a faster burning powder may actually hit peak pressure before the bullet has exited the muzzle.
Seeing as how Google seems to be my friend (today), I did find this article. Not a huge difference with a barrel length of 22 inches or longer.
6.5 Creedmoor- Effect of Barrel Length on Velocity: Cutting up a Creedmoor! – rifleshooter.com
Seeing as how Google seems to be my friend (today), I did find this article. Not a huge difference with a barrel length of 22 inches or longer.
6.5 Creedmoor- Effect of Barrel Length on Velocity: Cutting up a Creedmoor! – rifleshooter.com
The average is about 50 fps per inch of barrel, all other things being the same.
Don't forget bullet weight vs barrel twist match up ..........
if you want good things to happen down range.
High Vel. will not help a bad match.........
since most of us want accuracy over speed in rifles.
if you want good things to happen down range.
High Vel. will not help a bad match.........
since most of us want accuracy over speed in rifles.
fredj338
Member
Maybe. All bbls are diff soo it is possible to get more vel in a shorter bbl. All things being the same, which is rare, yes you should get 50-75fps more vel with 2" longer bbl. All calibers regardless of case size will get a vel benefit with longer Bbls, to a point. It seems 26" is about the max for most. Really long bbls throw harmonics off too, seen this with my friends 30" 308, really finicky, you can actually see it vibrate on firing.
Last edited:
Pisgah
Member
Longer barrel= higher velocity? Probably. Will there be enough difference between a 24" barrel and a 26" barrel to give any practical advantage? No.
hdwhit
Member
Almost certainly.
The question is "how much"? And that has had the crowd saying that you needed the longest barrel to get the bext performance. In ARs loaded with comparatively fast burning powders like IMR-4198 and IMR-3031 will experience little additional velocity out of a 26 versus 22 inch barrel
6.5 Creedmoor- Effect of Barrel Length on Velocity: Cutting up a Creedmoor! – rifleshooter.com
Always remember that Google is your best friend when looking for information.
6.5 creedmoor barrel length vs velocity - Google Search
Always remember that Google is your best friend when looking for information.
6.5 creedmoor barrel length vs velocity - Google Search
MichiganScott
Member
Don't forget the fast versus slow barrel, or in other words, the minimum versus maximum spec barrel and chamber. Pressure, and therefore velocity, will be higher and faster in the tighter barrel.
This question has been studied extensively. Just Google "barrel length velocity" and you'll find lots of interesting data rather than guesses and rules of thumb. Generally, velocity plateaus around 24-27 inches of barrel length. Beyond that, velocity may actually decrease. This is because peak pressure occurs within the first few inches of the barrel and then starts to fall. When the pressure behind the bullet generates less force than the friction between the bullet and the barrel, the velocity decreases.
