Author Topic: What length barrel do you like on a big bore rifle? (Read 978 times)

CEJ1895 · « **on:** February 02, 2005, 08:03:18 AM »

Hi All, I was just wondering what preference's you have on the length of the barrel on your .375 and up caliber rifles? I've been seeing a lot of older 375 H&H rifles with 26" barrels but the newer rifles now seem to sport 23" - 24" tubes (with exception to CZ's which are 25"). Has anyone ever been handicapped hunting with the longer barrelled rifles? Just thought I'd toss this out and see what the consensus is. Me, I like a shorter barrel in tight places and a longer one for open country... CEJ

mr.frosty · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2005, 11:36:53 AM »

on a lever gun I like 22 to a 24 inch barrel ona bolt gun I like a 26 inch
and 24 to 28 on single shooters. Thats what i like anyway.

Ramrod · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2005, 12:48:27 PM »

24-26 inches is needed to keep the .375 magnum's velocity up there near the published figures.

Lawdog · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2005, 01:02:11 PM »

On my big bores they are at least 25"(my favorite). 26" on all my Weatherby's. Lawdog

oso45-70 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2005, 05:18:40 PM »

cej1895,

I think they should be at least 24" and 25" or 26" is even better.Most of my big bore guns have 26" barrels and none less than 24"
............Joe...............

while99 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2005, 06:57:07 PM »

My Model 70 Super Express in .416 Remington Magnum has a 24" barrel and I think that is an ideal length for balance, portability, and off-hand shooting while allowing good velocity.

hubel458 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2005, 07:39:30 PM »

Really big bores burn lots of powder like my wildcats, and short barrels defeats the purpose of
getting the power out of the charge as well as
you need the weight to tame recoil.My little(458HE)
cartridge has 27" barrel on one gun, but everything else is 30" or more.Never could see making barrels short, adding brakes(still adds length), which causes noise problems,
when you could have barrel in place of brake
giving maximum power; and use right stock design,
add wt, good pad, till it shoots comfortable.Ed

CEJ1895 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2005, 02:53:32 AM »

Thanks for the reply's guys! I'm a little surprised with your responses though, I thought most of the bolt action big bore shooters would prefer the 22" - 24" barrels for faster handling in the thick stuff for the things that might bite back, over the longer barrels. The only time I've felt handicapped with a 26" barrel was crossing a swamp on the way to hunt another clear cut. Jumped a buck but couldn't get the rifle around fast enough through the thick stuff before he was gone. He would have been in my freezer if I had my guide gun with me. Thanks again! CEJ...

Questor · « **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2005, 03:57:59 AM »

My only big bore has a 22 inch barrel and a barrel band sling swivel (which makes it seem even shorter when carrying it in a sling). I like it, although it's relatively heavy, it seems easier to carry than my lighter .270 with 24" barrel.

Moose-Hunter · « **Reply #9 on:** February 03, 2005, 04:44:28 PM »

24" seems just about right on my big bores.

Spyro Andes · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2005, 07:34:11 PM »

20"-24" on my large bores.

Barrels over 24" on large bores don't make any sense...

People talking about "complete burns" should all be using 32" barrels on their magnums and 38" barrels on their super magnums.

Then they can brag over the additional 50 fps they have over those whimpy 26" barrels.

Some folks act like a buff or griz knows if you hit them with a bullet traveling 2200fps or 2400fps.

Make your rifle so it is like an extenstion of your arms, make it handy, forget about all this complete burn stuff.

Their is no "powder police" in the field. It is ok to only burn 95% of it.

SA

PS. I'll have to look for it but there was an interesting article regarding the 30-378 and barrel length. If I recall, it took 48" to get a full burn but it was only like 100 fps faster than a 30" barrel.

zimhunter · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2005, 05:38:16 AM »

My favorite lengths for heavies is 21". The 375 and 416 Rigby I most use are both this length. According to Remington you lose only 10fps per inch for velocities in the 2000-2500 range which means only about 30 fps lost. In the 2500-3000 range it's 20fps which is really insignificant. The 21" is just plain handier. For instance getting in and out of a vehicle or handling in a blind. That's why doubles are so handy and point so well.