6PPC barrel length

[Preacher]

Thinking of a new toy,6ppc) to play with for my BAT SV action and wondered if there was a good barrel length to start with.
I've heard that most of the BR shooters use from 20 to 22 inch barrels, but don't really like em that short especially in a heavy BR type stock.
I would like at least a 26 inch barrel on it. Anything to gain on a barrel that long other than velocity, or will the shorter tube be more accurate ??

 

[vmthtr]

The 21.75" barrel was found to be the most accurate length in the Houston Warehouse shooting project. That is why almost all PPC barrels will be this length.

Mike

 

[WayneShaw]

A couple of things to consider. First, benchrest guns have a weight restriction. Depending on the class, the barrel length has to become part of the weight equation. Second is balance. A 26" barrel will almost surely be nose heavy, and not ride the bags well. From that point, I doubt you would see any accuracy benefit from anything longer than 22 or 23 inches. You can get all the usable velocity in 23 inches that the PPC has to offer.

 

[StephenPerry]

Mike & Wayne
This question of barrel length in a BR gun comes up often in computer benchrest. First opinions are like port holes everybody has one. My first barrel was a 26" Hart barrel in .222 for my HV gun. The gun was nose heavy back in 1975 that was the norm for a 13 1/2 lb gun. The stock was a Six stock fiberglass very light. I also had a Sherer 19 1/2" barrel in 6X47 barrel to shoot Sporter and LV with same gun. The shorter barrel was needed for the gun to make the 10 1/2 lb limit. The gun performed about the same with either short or long barrel. But I liked the handling speed of the 10 1/2 lb gun. If done properly I could make moves on the target that the heavy gun didn't have. On calm conditions the heavy gun had an advantage where little movement of the gun is required. But in benchrest most days the conditions are jumpin and to shoot say that teen agg you have always desired chances must be taken. At 200yds holding off is the name of the game - hold or die on the target. I only shoot my 13 1/2 lb heavy in HV events. I do have a designated HV gun. My barrels are whatever max heavy taper it takes to make my gun weigh 13.46 lb, usually 23". For a 10 1/2 lb my Sporter barrels always seem to fall in that 22-23" range with my gun. Other shooters guns if needed have lighter barrels or heavier in Sporter, length's can vary from 18-24" barrels. The key is the gun can not weigh more that 10 1/2 lb plus whatever the NBRSA/IBS gives for scale error. I feel a gunsmith takes whatever barrel taper he is given and makes the barrel fit the gun. This said the smith has a tough task, all guns minus barrel have a fixed weight. Your choice of stock, action, scope, and accessories add up to a weight the smith must use when deciding the final weight of your barrel. I always order max heavy taper barrels for either a Sporter or HV gun. I want my guns to weigh close to the 10 1/2 and 13 1/2 lb limits. Most of barrels on Sporter make the gun weigh in at 10.46-10.50. My HV is at max weight also. This takes some careful fitting on the smiths part.
I have been weighing guns at San Gabriel Shoots since 1997. I have seen 100's of gun weights. Most guns seem way under the 10 1/2 and 13 1/2 lb weight. Way under would be 1/4 lb. Can't say
this effects the guns performance just makes it easier for the smith.
As far as any desired barrel length that's purely between your ears. There is no desired barrel length. I know people that shot the warehouse and said nothing magical happened. One HOF shooter who drove a long way twice to shoot in the warehouse concluded he could shoot better outside where he could have more conditions to read. If the 21 3/4 barrel is the desired length how does one explain the long barrels rail guns shoot. Most of my rail barrels are in the 24" range. At the Nats in Raton barrels in bag guns will vary, probably not many leaning towards 21 3/4". Besides what part of the barrel does one consider the barrel. Whatever barrel length it takes to make weight.
A lot to think about but trust your smith on barrel taper and length.
Stephen Perry