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  1. #1
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    Default Barrel Length vs Velocity. Some practical examples.

    I recently had the barrels of two hunting rifles shortened which gave me the opportunity to actually measure the difference in velocity between barrel lengths in the same rifle with the same load.


    7x57
    130gr Peregrine VRG4
    48.5gr IMR4350
    Velocity 22" barrel: 2757fps.
    Velocity 20" Barrel: 2714fps
    Difference in velocity: 43fps
    Average velocity loss per inch: 21.5fps


    6.5 Creedmoor
    143gr ELD-x
    39.5gr S365
    Velocity 24" barrel: 2590fps
    Velocity 18" barrel: 2450fps
    Difference in velocity: 140fps
    Average velocity loss per inch: 23.3fps

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Barrel Length vs Velocity. Some practical examples.

    Thats good confirmation of the 25fps/inch rule of thumb...

  3. #3

    Default Re: Barrel Length vs Velocity. Some practical examples.

    If you want more examples, google "Ballistics by the inch".

    They have cut down a fair variety of calibers incrementally and recorded the results.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Barrel Length vs Velocity. Some practical examples.

    Quote Originally Posted by Heath Robinson View Post
    If you want more examples, google "Ballistics by the inch".

    They have cut down a fair variety of calibers incrementally and recorded the results.
    Thanks, I have seen that, rifleshooter.com also have some interesting examples of cutting back the barrels on rifles in a few popular calibers.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Barrel Length vs Velocity. Some practical examples.

    Thanks TStone. Why did you cut them down as a matter of interest?

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Barrel Length vs Velocity. Some practical examples.

    I recently had the barrels of two hunting rifles shortened which gave me the opportunity to actually measure the difference in velocity between barrel lengths in the same rifle with the same load.
    Were the barrels shortened by cutting off sections at the muzzle end only? Or also re-chambered (shortened from the breech end)?
    Last edited by TStone; 16-04-2024 at 13:38.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Barrel Length vs Velocity. Some practical examples.

    [QUOTE=Desperatezulu;1516136]
    Quote Originally Posted by TStone View Post
    I recently had the barrels of two hunting rifles shortened which gave me the opportunity to actually measure the difference in velocity between barrel lengths in the same rifle with the same load.
    Were the barrels shortened by cutting off sections at the muzzle end only? Or also re-chambered (shortened from the breech end)?
    Only shortened from the muzzle end.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Barrel Length vs Velocity. Some practical examples.

    Quote Originally Posted by DaavG View Post
    Thanks TStone. Why did you cut them down as a matter of interest?
    I wanted to put suppressors on the rifles without affecting the handling or adding too much weight.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Barrel Length vs Velocity. Some practical examples.

    Quote Originally Posted by TStone View Post
    I wanted to put suppressors on the rifles without affecting the handling or adding too much weight.
    Ahh okay.

  10. #10

    Default Re: Barrel Length vs Velocity. Some practical examples.

    Decided to send a PM instead.

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