How do you measure barrel length?

[Jacob]

I feel stupid for asking this but...which is the barrel length. The total length of the barrel or the length of bore the bullet travels? I am thinking the former but don't have a factory gun to measure. If so why? Given a 26" barrel....depending on tenon length, type of crown, cartridge, thickness of recoil lug....a 26" is not a 26" is not a 26"

 

[Baron]

Jacob,
My smith told me that the barrel length is measured from the bolt face to the crown. So on a Remington Sendero w/ a 26" barrel. the exposed barrel will measure aprox. 25". I hope this helps you.
Baron

 

[Cheechako]

Jacob

No such thing as a stupid question. Barrel length is conventionally expressed as the distance from the face of the bolt or breech block to the muzzle. For purposes of ballistics it is,or should be) the distance from the base of the bullet to the muzzle. So, you were correct in both of your examples.

Factories have a way of measuring stuff to put their products in the best light.

Ray

 

[Jacob]

Ray and Baron
Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[alf]

Unless your from Wis. Our DNR measures both revolvers and pistols from firing pin to muzzle, minimum is 5" for deer hunting. This rules out most 1911's and the like, but makes 4" revolvers legal. Rumor was that back in the 70's when they made handguns legal for deer, cops had a say in the matter bacause most packed 4" wheel guns. I did kill a deer that year with a 4" Python. 158 gr. SWC through the lungs. Ran 35 yards and tipped over.

Al

 

[Spotcheck_Billy]

Another exception is how the USMC measures barrel length. For example, they state in the specs that the barrel length of their M40 series of sniper rifles is 24", but that is measured from the receiver and not the bolt face. This results in a barrel that actually would measure about 25 1/4" if measured in a more conventional way.