Barrel Length Recommendations

[Shynloco]

Hello Guys,
Looking for some barrel length recommendations for a new barrel. I'm shootin a Savage Model 12 Benchrest 6mmbr that presently has a 1:8 barrel that is 29" long. Now I shoot that baby exclusively at 100 yds using 68 - 70 gr bullets (mostly Bart 68gr Ultra FB's) being pushed by either VVN133 or Varget. She's showing signs of wear after some 3500+ rds so I had Kreiger make me a new 1:13.5 twist barrel and had Dave Kiff make me the appropriate reamer for the Barts/Lapua Brass combo I usually shoot. Now the question, since I'm shooting ONLY 100 yds, I'm thinking somewhere around 22" - 24" ought to get me excellent results. But I'm entertaining other folks thoughts as well before I turn my Gunsmith loose in cutting down what I bought. So have at it. Thx guy!

Alex

 

[harleyreb1]

I would suggest 26"

 

[Shynloco]

BTW guys, the new Kreiger is 27" untouched. Thx.

 

[Raythemanroe]

Slug it, let the barrel decide

 

[savagedasher]

Alex if it was me Barrel length will be determend by the powder. N133 22'' 26" your will burn 99% in the barrel. Varget will be 93 to 94 % . Hope that helps. Larry

 

[stacy]

USE THE OLD BARREL RECHAMBER IT W/NEW REAMER TO FORM BRASS AND U WANT PUT AS MANY RDS IN THE NEW BARREL THIS IS WHAT I DO.

 

[Outrider27]

USE THE OLD BARREL RECHAMBER IT W/NEW REAMER TO FORM BRASS AND U WANT PUT AS MANY RDS IN THE NEW BARREL THIS IS WHAT I DO.

Good advice, but loose the caps lock. It's call "shouting" on the internet.

 

[Shynloco]

Thx to all for the suggestions and comments.

Alex

 

[Hoier]

USE THE OLD BARREL RECHAMBER IT W/NEW REAMER TO FORM BRASS AND U WANT PUT AS MANY RDS IN THE NEW BARREL THIS IS WHAT I DO.

Good advice, but loose the caps lock. It's call "shouting" on the internet.

Lol

 

[AndyTaber]

I do believe most short range Benchrest barrels are in the 20-22 inch range. My 6BR, 14 twist is finished at 24 inches. This gives me a little length if I should choose to set it back some. I shoot 100-200 yard Benchrest matches with 64-68 grain bullets and Varget powder. It is a combination that works for me.

 

[normmatzen]

True, most short range BR shooters use 22-24 inch barrels, but they almost universally shoot 6PPC which has 86% of the case capacity of the 6BR so you are comparing apples to oranges. The amount of powder and burn time will be way different for the two cartridges for the same velocity.

 

[AndyTaber]

Not really comparing fruit.....just saying what works for me.

 

[ewspears]

After years and dozens of barrels used in shooting NBRSA 100/200 yd Competition I've settled on a 6PPC, 22" Barrel, 13.5 twist, 68gr bullet, N133 or LT32 Powder!
We're I to try to build a competitive 6 BR, (and I don't know why I'd want to do that since it isn't going to outshoot the 6 PPC's), I would build a 23" barrel, 13.5 twist, and use a powder just a shade slower than N133 or Lt32 like IMR XBR 8208 with 68 gr bullets!

 

[normmatzen]

Now, now Andy, I wasn't referring to your comment, but to SavageDasher who had a fine comment on burn rate of different powders and how much is burned when the bullet exits the bore.
The 6PPc in a short 22" barrel would use less powder and different powder than a 6BR in a 24" barrel for best efficiency.

 

[AndyTaber]

Tongue was in cheek.
I haven't really noticed much with varying barrel length by a couple inches.
I try for a load with a good load density. The only really compelling argument that I've heard that a particular powder is a tad too slow is H4198, shot in a 30BR. They pack as much of it in there and wish they could put in more. If you load a cartridge with a faster powder but have to back off a couple grains, your load density suffers and I can't imagine you've gained much.
I tried different powders in my 6BR w/65-68 gr bullets and nothing has worked better than Varget. Good load density, great accuracy, smooth bolt lift. Works for me.

 

[savagedasher]

My suggestion is if you don't have a weight rule ,make it as long as possible. the extra weight helps with recoil. and is better suited to get a better burn with the slower varget. I find slower powder shoot good but usually are dirty. I like 98% plus burn in the barrel. Larry

 

[LHSmith]

Whatever you decide, to produce optimum results, the rifle must be balanced properly. A longer barrel will tend to make the gun muzzle heavy ( unless compensated for via the stock) , which will cause vertical problems.

 

[Eddie Harren]

Be careful Smitty. The new run of experts has arrived.

 

[LHSmith]

That's why I dot every "I", cross every "T", use spell check, preview my post to ensure it is intelligible, and double check for PC. My advice may be old school ....but at least you don't have to read it 3-times to finger out what the poster is trying to say due to sloppy grammar and missing punctuation.