6 BR /XC barrel length ??

[Baddog0302]

Is there an optimum barrel length for the 6 BR. ?? I find barrels in 26,28 & 30".
My range limit is 500 yds. and I have to shoot from a bench so Wt. is not a factor. I'm thinking a bull contour at 28" as that is the max OAL that will fit in my rifle case.

 

[jr600yd]

Ok, go for it!

 

[pburr]

Going out to 500-600 yards, that's probably about the perfect length.

 

[Buzz]

From the barrel FAQ on this site:

How Much More Velocity Will I Get with a Longer Barrel? Going from 20" to 24" can increase velocities up to 160fps (40fps per added inch), depending on the rifling. After that, expect another 25-30fps extra velocity for each added inch up to about 28". Beyond that, you'll probably get a little extra speed, especially with 6BR Improved cases. We recently completed a barrel velocity test using a rail-gun. A Krieger 6mm barrel chambered for a standard 6BR was cut down from 33" to 28" in one-inch increments. The Average Velocity at 33" was 40 fps higher than at 28". The Average Velocities showed a pretty steady increase of 8 fps per inch past 28". For example the Average Velocity at 30" was 16 fps higher than at 28". Based on this study, you're not going to gain much by going from 28" to 30". And world-record-holder Richard Schatz is getting 3025fps with his 6 Dasher using a 26" Hart barrel. So arguably, 26" is long enough, at least for the Improved cases. For maximum speed, 30" is a useful limit, but remember that this adds weight to the gun and you'll be sacrificing barrel stiffness.

 

[alf]

Is there an optimum barrel length for the 6 BR. ?? I find barrels in 26,28 & 30".
My range limit is 500 yds. and I have to shoot from a bench so Wt. is not a factor. I'm thinking a bull contour at 28" as that is the max OAL that will fit in my rifle case.

You need to factor in all the components to get a gun that balances and behaves in the bags.

 

[Baddog0302]

THANK YOU ALL for the info. not interested in driving bullets at "warp speed" , just small groups on small steel targets.