barrel length

[tipiguy]

What factors should I keep in mind when choosing either a 12" or 14" barrel in a 7-30 waters?  Is one more accurate?

Thanks.
tipiguy

[bigbore442001]

The late Bob Milek did a report on the barrel length on the Contenders and other single shots using bottle necked cases.

He basically stated that you need all teh help you can get, so it isn't wise to cut your  barrel from 14 " down to 12. There seemed to be a small fad in doing that at the time of his writing.

[Hopalong7]

I have both 10 and 14" 22lr barrels.  Both are equipped w/ the same scope.  Shooting of the bench, the 10 is easily the equal of the 14 in accuracy, maybe even better.  Out in the woods, the 10 is easier to carry, but the fact is I shoot better w/ the 14...much better.  Wish it was the other way around but it just 'taint so.  May be just me.  GOOD SHOOTIN',  Walt   :roll:

[BruceP]

That question of barrel length and accuracy seems to come up here quite a bit I have noticed. Now I am new to contenders but not to shooting, but I just want to say that barrel lenght is not a factor in the potental accuracy equation. At least as long as the barrel is long enough (probably about one to two inches) to have sufficient rifling to impart enough spin to stabalize the bullet. After that it is a question of matching a load to the harmonics of a barrel. That is getting the bullet to exit the barrel while the barrel is in as close to the same point in its vibration on each shot; and also the quaility of the barrel and the work done to it. I think this notion of shorter barrels being less accurate comes from the fact that usually with iron sights the longer sight radius makes it easier to shoot a handgun more accurately.
All that being said in a 7-30 Waters I would personally choose the 14" barrel but not because it would definately be more accurate.
BruceP