Author Topic: 10",12" OR 14" BARRELS? (Read 719 times)

jeff223 · « **on:** February 19, 2005, 09:44:38 AM »

i have a 12in 357max,a 14in 223,a 14in 22lr and i got a steel on a nice 10in SS 223 barrel today.after putting the 10in 223 barrel on my frame and after pointing it around some i really like the feel of the 10in barrel.i know i will loose some FPS with the shorter barrel going from the 14 to the 10 but who cares.targets and the crow or two i shoot will never care.i just might sell my 14in 223 or trade it off for that 7-30 or 30-30 or 30-30AI barrel ive been thinking about.

what barrel lenght do you guys like the best?

luredaddy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2005, 09:52:44 AM »

If recoil is not a factor, I like the 10" barrels. If I am shooting a KICKER, I prefer the 14" with a Pachmayr forend. I sold a 10" 44 Mag barrel, replaced it with the Super 14, what a difference.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2005, 12:03:23 PM »

It's funny, I've been pondering the "length" question most of the afternoon, and here you guys are talking about it. Jeff, with the .223, I'd shoot that 10" a little before I traded off the 14". I agree with luredaddy on the lenght and recoil issue and of course, recoil isn't an issue with the .223, BUT I'll bet fireball and blast might be. Anyway I'd try it first.
I was thinking today how my opion has changed over the years about barrel length. Back in the beginning it was 10" or 10" unless you wanted something different, then it was 10". Well OK, there were a few 8 and some fraction around, but not many. Then the S-14 came out and I thought who in his right mind would want somtin' lik dat'...not me. About two or three years later with a 14" .223 in possesion it was..."I need to ditch all these silly little 10" barrels"...thank goodness I didn't. Then along came the S-16 and I wondered what on earth would you ever do with one of those. Guess what one of my favorite lengths is today? Yep...16 1/4". Now I just got a S-14 7tcu cut down to 12" and recrowned. Full bull, handier length, good weight for recoil, and my pachy's will still fit right on it with two screw bosses. I've rambled way too much and probably gotten you as confused as I am. Oh well. GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt

Curtis · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2005, 01:20:22 PM »

I love the 10" barrels, well except maybe my 44 mag octagon one. As noted, recoil can be a problem. With the short barrels, I can still shoot it like a pistol, whereas the 14ers I really shoot well only from a good rest.

My .223 barrel is ten inch and it is the one I shoot the most. Loaded with IMR-4198 and 40 gr ballistic tips it is great. I have not chronied it but some of my books show 2900 fps or better for this load. I have heard that Blue Dot gives minimal blast in the short tube too. My very first attempt at reloading for this caliber was with IMR-3031 and resulted in horrendous muzzle blast. I still keep some of those around when I want to draw attention to myself! :eek: :eek: Factory ammo is not advisable either for the same reason.

Curtis

Riff · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2005, 02:18:02 PM »

Well, I have 2 10's (44Mag and 45LC, octagons), an S14(.223), an S16(.223), and a 21" (30-30 Win) I shoot the S14 the least, mostly because I find it hard to quickly acquire a target with a handgun scope. It's lots easier with the S16 setup as a carbine. So, the 14 just sits (maybe I'll sell it one of these days...).

The 10" 44Mag hurts like heck when you shoot it, especially with the old wood handles. 10 shots 2 months ago, and my thumb is still sore. So, I only shoot 44 Specials through it now. The 45LC is fun to shoot, too. I don't reload for these two at this time, so I can experiment much with different loads.

I can echo that 223 factory loads are loud and make a big fireball in shorter barrels. I've taken to loading a very light load - 10-11 grains Blue Dot and 45-55 grain bullets. They're pleasurable to shoot and do a nice job on the local jackrabbits. Currently I'm carrying the S16 on a carbine stock with a 4X BSA scope, and lovin' it with the light loads.

So, the bottom line is, I like the 10's, but like the 16-21's the best.

:roll:

wheelgun · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2005, 03:18:46 AM »

I have one 12 3/4",six 14" and eight 11" barrels.If you are going to carry it hunting the 10" is a lot more easy to carry in my opinion.I have 10" and 14" in 30-30 winchester accuracy is about the same to me.

rickyp · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2005, 09:59:37 AM »

when I consider a length for a new barrel
I first think what I what to do with it
then I think what type of round it is
and lastly I think how I will be using it.

I normally will get a 10 inch barrel for "handgun" calibers (357 mag, 44, 41) I feel they handle a lot better then the 14 inch barrels Most of my small game barrels are 10 inch. I do a lot of walking in heavy brush when I am small game hunting.

All of my big game barrels right now are 14 inch. I do most of my hunting from a tree stand I do not mind the extra 4" of barrel and I get the extra few hundred FPS and will let me make longer shots. my main barrel is a 209x50 barrel

I have just sent of letters to the State governor and director of Md's DNR trying to get them to allow deer hunting with straight walled handguns in shotgun only counties.

Now If they approve the straight wall handguns I will be looking for a 10 inch deer barrel