221 Fireball: minimum barrel length for max velocity

[Broncazonk]

How long does it (the barrel of a firearm) have to be?

Thanks!

Bronc

 

[bheadboy]

for the 221, and i have had 3 rifles, the powders are faster burning due to the small case, i found 22 inch did not gain over 20 using 4198

Bob

 

[Bowman44]

I would agree that the 20 inch barrel would be the end of significant gains in velocity. T.S.

 

[stacy]

I have a REM 700 classic 221 fireball w/24 inch barrel this thing bad /40gr berger H-4227 450 primers bug hole group.

 

[areaone]

Rem 700, with factory fluted SS 22 inch barrel, 50 gr sierra and 15 gr Lil Gun runs at 2910 with very good accuarcy, pretty close to max on the 15 gr, work up to it, tried imr 4227, TOO GLITCHY FOR MY TASTE. Builds pressure real fast, watch it.

 

[alf]

23 1/2" re-chambered 700 factory barrel ran 40 grain BT's at 3500.

Significant gains are realized from the original X-P's 10 1/2" barrels. (BTW, where the "Fireball" got it's name)

WAG, I'd assume velocity gains still to be had beyond 26" ......

 

[Rick in Oregon]

McPhearson has an article in the current issue of VHM that discusses this very subject. The test rig in question (M700) was barreled with a 27" tube in 221FB.

He ran extensive tests for velocity using 40gr and lighter bullets such as the 26gr BVG.