Author Topic: barrel length- accuracy question  (Read 886 times)

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Offline ins.man

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barrel length- accuracy question
« on: August 31, 2004, 05:01:15 PM »
Do you loose any accuracy by having a 20 inch barrel rather than a 22/24 in.  I have been looking at the .243's for hunting deer.  I would like a short barrel light weight rifle , but I in a habit of buying a longer heavy barrels on my rifles.  Maybe it is a mental thing, however I seem to do better with a longer barrel.  I also need to get away from buying heavy barrels. It is harder to stay on the target when standing because of the lbs. I start to sway if I have to wait for the shot. ( Easy question for you guys I am sure. ) Thanks for your time!

Offline 7magWoodsman

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barrel length- accuracy question
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2004, 05:23:38 PM »
It depends on the load really...if all the powder burns BEFORE exiting the barrel it will be fine, if not you are losing valuable "down range" performance.
You should have no problems at all with the .243 20" barrel combination.

I prefer a standard weight rifle for free-hand shooting myself, when I try to use a light rifle I actually fight the lightness to try to keep it steady, this could just be me...

Stay Safe. Happy Hunting/Shooting.
"To me the rifle has always been the most romantic of all weapons, and of all rifles, the one I love the most is the rifle for big game." Jack O'Connor

Offline Lawdog

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barrel length- accuracy question
« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2004, 09:20:43 AM »
ins.man,

Actually after using some light weight rifles I found that I shooter better off hand with heavier weight rifles.  I found that the light weight rifles would bounce with every heart beat where the heavier weight rifles didn't.  Lawdog
 :D
Gary aka Lawdog is now deceased. He passed away on Jan. 12, 2006. RIP Lawdog. We miss you.

Offline flintlock

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barrel length- accuracy question
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2004, 03:58:47 AM »
Hi ins.man...also in NC...Asheboro here...I shoot a .243...Ruger with tang safety...had  a 24 inch barrel installed about 5 yrs ago...buddy has Remington ADL 700 with 22 inch barrel...another buddy bought Remington ADL youth with a 20 inch barrel last year...I sighted in all three last summer for deer season...most accurate??? Youth model with 20 inch barrel....it put five shots that you can cover with a dime at 100 yards...load was Hornady factory 100 grs...you might loose a little velocity...but not accuracy...flintlock

Offline kombi1976

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barrel length- accuracy question
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2004, 05:51:12 PM »
The weight of the barrel makes a difference but with a non-magnum round that uses only a small powder load you don't need the length. It affects the speed, mentioned above, but not accuracy.
8)

Cheers & God Bless

.22lr ~ 22 Hornet ~ 25-20 ~ 303/25 ~ 7mm-08 ~ 303 British ~ 310 Cadet ~ 9.3x62 ~ 450/400 NE 3"

Offline Lawdog

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barrel length- accuracy question
« Reply #5 on: September 06, 2004, 09:01:25 AM »
kombi1976,

Quote
The weight of the barrel makes a difference but with a non-magnum round that uses only a small powder load you don't need the length.


But who wants top pack around a rifle that has a 20 inch Bull barrel(an inch diameter at the muzzle) .243 just to get the weight?  Lawdog
 :D
Gary aka Lawdog is now deceased. He passed away on Jan. 12, 2006. RIP Lawdog. We miss you.

Offline Catfish

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barrel length- accuracy question
« Reply #6 on: October 13, 2004, 12:55:01 PM »
The quality of the barrel and the way the gun is put together is what determines the accuracy, not the length.