Barrel Length Study: a Very interesting Read

TxAggie · Oct 4, 2013

Ok, enough with the new laws, shutdowns, and DC shootings for a few minutes.

I came across this article today discussing the effects of barrel length and accuracy. On initial review, it appears that the guy did his homework very well and covered the bases. Take a few minutes to look it over, it has me thinking anyhow.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...t-barrel-length-muzzle-velocity-and-accuracy/

(If this is a dupe, sorry I tried a search and didn't find anything)

Flipz · Oct 4, 2013

Wow. That was very interesting.

Pinecone · Oct 4, 2013

The idea that barrel length relates to accuracy is from iron sight days. With iron sights, the longer the sighting radius (distance between sights) the better accuracy you can get, as the visible variation from perfect sight alignment is a smaller angle.

With optics, this is no longer the case. So barrel length would not affect accuracy.

BUT, the velocity change can cause issues.

For my rifle and load, a 175 gr Sierra Match King has a muzzle velocity of 2600 FPS. With a 100 yard zero, the scope adjustment for 1000 yards is 11.6 mils or 416.5" of drop. At 1050 yards it is 12.7 mils and 479.9" So a 50 yard mistake in range is a miss by 63.4" low.

A 100 FPS decrease in velocity makes that drop 12.7 mils or 456.8" of drop. At 1050 yards that is 13.9 mils and 526.1". 50 yard range mistake is 69.3" low.

And longer ranges or more decrease in velocity makes this worse and worse.

As the velocity decreases, the more drop at longer distances, which means that unless you KNOW the distance, you will likely miss.

bigdv · Oct 4, 2013

Good read. This is my favorite line "The internet is full of armchair know-it-alls and trolls a plenty, but for the most part, these can be ignored. "

AlpineDude67 · Oct 5, 2013

Interesting stuff, I like it.

fabsroman · Oct 5, 2013

Alright, so what I took from the thing was:

1) Shorter barrels do NOT affect accuracy
2) Shorter barrels do affect velocity, and sometimes substantially at 31%

I think the velocity difference would be enough of an issue for me.

Barrel Length Study: a Very interesting Read

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