Longest modern barrel you've seen
- Thread starter Solitar
- Start date
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Some of the early Mauser-type military rifles had barrels of around 30". Dunno why, unless it was a "cultural thing" for armies just coming out of caplocks. This sort of barrel length seems to have ended by around WW I...
FWIW, Art
FWIW, Art
Yep, 36" long. Check these precision beauties out http://www.mcmfamily.com/mcbros/mcbros.htm
As to really long barrels (admittedly for prone or benchrest precision shooting), maybe I'm under the illusion that a 32+" barrel for a .338 or similar heavy caliber (or even a .308 or '06) would minimize the muzzle blast and noise signature (short of putting a flash supressor/silencer on it) while maximizing the velocity gained from every grain of slow burning powder (for a "push" rather than a sharp punch recoil). The weight would also help the recoil, especially with a heavy varminter match barrel.
As to really long barrels (admittedly for prone or benchrest precision shooting), maybe I'm under the illusion that a 32+" barrel for a .338 or similar heavy caliber (or even a .308 or '06) would minimize the muzzle blast and noise signature (short of putting a flash supressor/silencer on it) while maximizing the velocity gained from every grain of slow burning powder (for a "push" rather than a sharp punch recoil). The weight would also help the recoil, especially with a heavy varminter match barrel.
Solitar
The problem with longer barrels is that you get diminishing returns with the longer length. Eventually the minuses, such as drag, friction, concentricicy<sp> of barrel etc outweigh the advantages of the longer barrel. Each caliber and twist rate is different, even different barrels from the same lot will probably shoot different. A lot depends on what you call accurate. If you're looking for a hunting rifle then most likely 1 moa or so is sufficient, whereas if you're into 1000 yd silhouette or benchrest, that won't even get you into the ballpark. Again, depending on caliber and twist rate, a 16" or 18" barrel may work as opposed to a 36" barrel. Though for serious benchrest accuracy, a longer barrel seems to help, along with the wildcat cartridges, recoilless benchblock actions, electronic solenoid triggers etc.
From what I've read, long range high-power silhouette is a completely different world. I've been into firearms for 30 years and I didn't recognize a bit of the nomenclature. Even some of the calibers I'd never even heard of, such as the 6 Fatboy etc.
The problem with longer barrels is that you get diminishing returns with the longer length. Eventually the minuses, such as drag, friction, concentricicy<sp> of barrel etc outweigh the advantages of the longer barrel. Each caliber and twist rate is different, even different barrels from the same lot will probably shoot different. A lot depends on what you call accurate. If you're looking for a hunting rifle then most likely 1 moa or so is sufficient, whereas if you're into 1000 yd silhouette or benchrest, that won't even get you into the ballpark. Again, depending on caliber and twist rate, a 16" or 18" barrel may work as opposed to a 36" barrel. Though for serious benchrest accuracy, a longer barrel seems to help, along with the wildcat cartridges, recoilless benchblock actions, electronic solenoid triggers etc.
From what I've read, long range high-power silhouette is a completely different world. I've been into firearms for 30 years and I didn't recognize a bit of the nomenclature. Even some of the calibers I'd never even heard of, such as the 6 Fatboy etc.