Barrel Length and Muzzle Velocity

[RWK]

Can one of our real experts tell me how much barrel length impacts muzzle velocity? In a .357 revolver, for example, if I go from a five inch to a four inch barrel, how much muzzle velocity is lost? Obviously, much of this is load and weapon peculiar, so I'm only looking for a rough, generic answer (such as under five percent or between five and ten percent).

Thanks.

[This message has been edited by RWK (edited July 20, 2000).]

 

[Halffast]

RWK,

I have two Kimber .45's. One is a 5" and the other is a 4". I shoot a handload of a 185 gr. JHP over 6.4 grs. of Bullseye. In the 5" gun this load averages 1087 fps. In the 4" gun the average is 1019. YMMV. Hope this helps.

David

PS - I just noticed that you ask for an expert opinion. I am NOT an expert, more of a drip under pressure.

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If your looking to government for the solution, you obviously don't understand the problem.

[This message has been edited by Halffast (edited July 20, 2000).]

 

[George Hill]

Rule of thumb - you lose 50 FPS per Inch you cut off. This is an average so your milage may vary.

 

[RWK]

Gentlemen,

Thank you both. This is just the type of information I wanted. Regards.

 

[Jim March]

Don't expect that rule of thumb to hold well in .22LR/.22Mag handguns. See also the excellent NAA velocity tables at: http://www.naaminis.com/naaveloc.html - note that a "Black Widow" is a 2" tube and the MiniMag is a 4".

Jim