Barrel Length Recommendations

[Shynloco]

Ok Guys,
I know everyone is probably tired of hearing about barrel length, but I'm looking for recommendations for a (260 Remington) SA Bolt Action rifle that I'm having re-barreled. Not to confuse anyone, this rifle has been 6.5BR that I just haven't been pleased with so I'm changing the caliber to a 260 Remington, a caliber I am unfamiliar with (experience shooting that is).

So here's the deal...I just bought a new Kreiger 1:8.5 Match Stainless 4 groove 1.250 straight barrel (for a wider range of bullet weight). I've noted that the loads recommended in both the Sierra & Hornady Reloading Manuals were tested in a 24" barrel. Berger does not state what barrel length they used in their test rifle. I am well aware that longer barrels only provide a few FPS increase in velocity. I shoot exclusively 100 - 200 yds and am unsure whether a 28-29 inch barrel would provide any benefit. But I need some EXPERT and EXPERIENCED suggestions from those who've shot a 260 Remington bolt gun in competition or for best accuracy, which is my goal (the best accuracy part). Any advice would be appreciated and thanks for indulging me.

Alex

 

[savagedasher]

Alex
The longer the barre the faster the bullet goes
A dasher is still picking up speed with a 40"
Barrel . Is that something you would use when shooting . No
My next barrel will be 35"or 36"
Most here will say it won't shoot.
I would try 30" all my 260 AI are 30 " and the shot very good . The most accurate 6.5 I had was a 8.5 twist 32 1/4 6.5 WSSM
140 bullets were 3200 plus . Larry

 

[Jet]

Alex

With 200 yds max distance barrel length isn't really a concern. A 24"-26" 260 barrel gives up nothing at the distances you plan on shooting. I would focus more on the length that will give you the best balance point (with scope mounted) on the rifle.

Good Shooting

Rich

 

[jsudduth]

What proximity is your gunsmith? If it isn't unreasonable distance that would involve shipping why not start at 30"? If it shoots well stay with it. If not, have the gunsmith lop off a couple inches and recrown.
JS

 

[Shynloco]

Mornin Guys,
Thx for the comments and advice. I was thinking much along the same lines as your comments. jsudduth, my Gunsmith lives about 45 miles from me and your comments are exactly what I was thinking of doing. I'm now waiting for my Match Reamer and gauges to arrive so he can start the work. Thx again to all for taking the time to respond to my request. Happy shootin!

Alex

 

[Rob01]

As mentioned at 100 and 200 yards it won't make much of a difference but if you ever plan on going longer then I would go with a longer barrel. My Creedmoors are 28".

 

[jr600yd]

I've shot them all 24, 26, 28 and 30". Once zero'd it doesn't make a hill of beans difference what barrel length you have. If your shooting over say 500 yds or going to 1K the longer barrels give an advantage in MV that is needed at those ranges.

 

[Brians356]

If your shooting over say 500 yds or going to 1K the longer barrels give an advantage in MV that is needed at those ranges.

For a 308 Win class cartridge firing a 150-gr bullet, the difference between 20 and 28 inches is about ~200 fps, and between 28 and 30 only ~50 fps.
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[MrBottleneck]

Alex, you might find this article a good read as it pertains to what your asking. (since your asking 100-200yrds not such a big deal)
http://rifleshooter.com/2016/02/6-5...el-length-on-velocity-cutting-up-a-creedmoor/
Im running my 6.5 with a 24" and my .308 with a 28"

 

[Brians356]

Here's a similar barrel chop test documented for 7.62 x 54R, 147-gr (equivalent 308 Win class, 150-gr):

http://honors.usf.edu/documents/thesis/u82488180.pdf
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[slm9s]

If there's no weight limit to the type of shooting you're doing, a longer barrel gives a little more velocity, a heavier/more stable/less recoil platform, and the ability to set the barrel back when the round count gets up there.

But balance must be assessed...

 

[msinc]

I have a 260 and I also like long barrels...26" to 28" is what is on most of my rifles. But......there is a point of diminishing returns and it's not just the barrel cut off charts vs. velocity that I would consider. Yes velocity is a factor and a longer barrel equates to "free" speed, but it also equates to longer dwell time that the bullet is in the barrel. Not terribly important if all you ever do is shoot off a good bench and a good rest, but just like lock time it starts to add up to a rifle that must be held and shot carefully because it is not as forgiving.
I like long barrels, but I am starting to reconsider just how much free velocity is worth in a hunting rifle or one that is otherwise not going to be shot off a bench every time it is being shot. There might be other ways to get the velocity you want with a more "shootable" rifle.
You say that "best accuracy" is your goal, I agree with and like the post that said to start out with the longer barrel and have it cut back if you feel the need...just don't be fooled by "testing" this rifle on a good benchrest only unless that is the only way you will ever shoot it. Too many hunter/shooters build a rifle, take it to the range on a nice concrete bench with a first rate rest and zero it. Now they are full of confidence because it just shot a 1/2" group. They take it hunting and miss an animal at 250 yards and are not so happy. That extra velocity didn't much for them on that day...
On the bench, you are in a position to have little to no movement between the time you are lined up with the target, the sear breaks and the bullet leaves the muzzle.
All I am saying is that there are a lot of factors to consider depending on what this rifle will be used for.....there's a reason just about every factory hunting rifle made has a 22" "carbine" barrel.
Make no mistake about one thing....the 260 is a killer.

 

[ragsflh]

is this for hunting or paper punching.at 1 -200 yds a 24 in will work.got to remember,a long barrel hunting sucks unless you are pd hunting for a bench.just my 2 cents

 

[CharlieNC]

21.75 inches per Houston Warehouse studies

 

[Rustystud]

For short range barrel length is not much of an issue. For 800, 900, and 1000 yards and 140 grain Bullets 30-32". When a better quality barrel is made it is hand lapped for a specific finish length. This allows for choke kn the barrel. If you buy a barrel made to be finish length 30" and cut it off at 26" you will loose the choke be put into the barrel.

 

[wapiti25]

I would go with a 26" or 28". As has been stated before you can always cut it off later. I had a hunting barrel that I left at 27" but found it was very un-handy so I cut it to 25" much better.

 

[mikegaiz]

A 1.25 straight is too heavy for hunting. I think it is around 8.5 lbs at 28. Having said that. this sounds like more of a bench gun. Go with 30 in. Also unless you are only going to shoot 130 of heavier , you need a short Free bore. A SAMI chamber won,t shoot light bullets seated farther out.

 

[Brians356]

Alex, you might find this article a good read as it pertains to what your asking. (since your asking 100-200yrds not such a big deal)
http://rifleshooter.com/2016/02/6-5...el-length-on-velocity-cutting-up-a-creedmoor/
Im running my 6.5 with a 24" and my .308 with a 28"

I was somewhat stunned to discover 6.5 Creedmore pushing a 142-gr bullet began losing MV after only 24 inches of barrel. Creedmore, and the 250 Ackley Improved family it closely duplicates, are extremely efficient in the 6mm, 25 and 6.5mm calibers, and this helps illustrates that.
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[savagedasher]

You never can get a barrel too long . But you can one get one too short
Finish at 30" is a good number to start . You can always cut it short but you can't make it long . Larry

 

[Richard Coody]

I was somewhat stunned to discover 6.5 Creedmore pushing a 142-gr bullet began losing MV after only 24 inches of barrel. Creedmore, and the 250 Ackley Improved family it closely duplicates, are extremely efficient in the 6mm, 25 and 6.5mm calibers, and this helps illustrates that.
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These kinds of test really have little validity to me. Most start out trying to prove the authors pre-conceived opinion.

Load development with different powders could.have a completely different outcome.

I doubt all those competitive shooters out there would.be.shooting 30" barrels when a 20 would do the.job better. Think they don't do a lot of testing?