22 Creedmoor barrel length?

[MRogersII]

Just starting a new varmint rifle build. Looking to end up with a shorter package than my other rifles. I would be curious if anyone can provide insight into what length becomes too short? I would like to go with a shorter, but heavier barrel but was concerned that beyond a certain threshold it might be defeating the purpose of having the bigger case, if greater length is required to realize the benefit of it. Planning on shooting bullets in the 80gr class with an 8 twist.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Ranger188]

As long as you run 80g or less, you can run a "regular" burn powder and get away with a shorter barrel.
It's when you start shooting the 80+ to 90-95g bullets, you need a slower burning powder and a longer barrel to
get the most from it.
Is it weight or just convince you want a shorter barrel?
If your going to carry it around, you don't want a heavy profile barrel either.
You would be fine with a 22 inch. People run them shorter, but your loosing fps per inch

 

[MRogersII]

Has anyone run shorter than 22" successfully? I was hoping to get down around 20 or 21.

 

[Ranger188]

Here's a test with a 6 Creedmoor, but you could be using the same powder.
It's all up to you on how much speed your wiling to lose.
https://rifleshooter.com/2019/05/6-creedmoor-effects-of-barrel-length-on-muzzle-velocity/

 

[MRogersII]

What a great article. Thank you, Sir.
Michael

 

[B23]

If you're trying to squeeze maximum performance from a cartridge, barrel length is going to be more critical to you, but if you are looking for something that is considerably more handy to use, you'll never miss the length.

My Kelbly 22-250 started life as a 24in barrel, I knew with a suppressor that would put it over 30 inches so I had it chopped all the way back to 18in and I've never regretted it one bit.

Something you'll want to keep in mind, when considering a shorty, the shorter they are the louder they get. Even shooting my 18in 22-250 suppressed, it's fairly loud-ish.

I just had a 6mm Creedmoor built with a 20in tube that'll be used suppressed also. Obvioulsy, shorter barrels give up velocity to longer ones, but if you are wanting something that is handy and more convenient to wield, you'll appreciate a shorter setup. If you're concerned about giving up to much velocity, I think a 22in pipe is a good compromise.

 

[MRogersII]

I am not concerned about losing velocity in case the size of the CM. In fact, that was part of my thinking in going with the higher capacity case. Retain sufficient capacity to move the 'heavier' 22's, go with a heavier contour without undue weight, and still keep the overall length down. The ultimate tractor rifle. In short, I agree with you. Thank you for the good counsel. Michael

 

[Huckleberry75]

My backup 22cm has a 20" 9tw that started life as a 223 5R remmy factory bbl. Runs the 69tmk at 3505 with 39.0gn of varget.

My 22" 8tw Beanland build runs the Berger 80.5 at 3393 with 42.2gn of H4350 out of Lapua brass and cci450's. Been dead nuts out to 785yds.

 

[Zero333]

I'm sorry but I couldn't help myself and had to play with Quickload.

22 Creedmoor, Quickload velocity simulation with 90 gr VLD, N-560 at NEAR MAXIMUM CHAMBER PRESSURE.

Barrel length - Velocicty fps

30" - 3,332
+/- 26
29" - 3,306
+/- 27
28" - 3,279
+/- 29
27" - 3,250
+/- 31
26" - 3,219
+/- 32
25" - 3,187
+/- 34
24" - 3,153
+/- 36
23" - 3,117
+/- 38
22" - 3,079
+/- 40
21" - 3,039
+/- 44
20" - 2,995
+/- 46
19" - 2,949
+/- 50
18" - 2,899

Also worth noting. The powders that generated highest velocities in the 30" barrel were the same powders that generated highest velocities in the 18" barrel.

 

[MRogersII]

You are always welcome to trespass into my thread with quality QL data. Thank you, Sir.

Interesting how barrel length matters more at the near end, than it does at the far end. I guess that's intuitive, but I hadn't really considered it until I looked at this data. without thinking about it purposely, I suppose that I saw it being more linear.