Optimum barrel length for 7mmMag?

J

jrothWA

New member
Have a m70 Black Shadow, cold shot on the money, warm to hot shot up and right.

free-floated barrel. presently 26", have first edition post 64, that has 24" and sight-in in six shots.

Would shortening barrel stiffen it to get groups?

Besides velocity, any other downside?
 
Probably a better idea to try different ammo.

You don't mention what type of 26" barrel. Changing length will change your groups. But a light barrel will still get hot quicker and change your groups once again.

You might want to re-zero the gun for a hot barrel. Just remember that groups out of a hot barrel tend to be more random.
 
+1 for Doyle... Go shoot it in a near dark situation and see what kind of muzzle flash you are getting. You probably have some with the 26" and if you take 2" off, it will definitely get worse.
 
All my rifles were hunting rifles, and my first requirement was to be handy in use and carrying. Accordingly, my magnums all had 24" barrels, and standard cartridge rifles 22".

There is always a trade off between velocity, weight, and handiness. I would rather have a light rifle that would group under 1.5" than a heavy one which would get sub MOA. Today it is not difficult to get MOA rifles with short barrels and light weight.

Each rifle is a law unto itself, and I doubt that shortening the barrel would improve groups significantly.

Jerry
 
Are you using it for hunting ? If so then if the cold bore shot is on the money, then you have what you need. I have a 30-06 that is the same, it puts the first shot dead on, and as you continue to shoot it, the shots become more spread out. As was said before, shorter will be alot (way more) noise and blast.
 
gman3 said:
Are you using it for hunting ? If so then if the cold bore shot is on the money, then you have what you need.
Click to expand...

Gman is right for a hunting rifle. I've got all mine sighted to put that first, cold-bore shot one inch above the bull at 100 yards. The next three or four (if I need them) will fall pretty close to there.
 
Cutting 2" would cost you 50-75fps. Not enough to worry about, nor would I think it would help. Sounds like a bedding issue. Is it in the tupperware stock?
 
The reason for a Magnum is the velocity. Longer is better. In the 7mm Mag, dropping back to 22", might's well have a 7mm08. So at least 24", and I'd not bother to buy one with less than the 26".
 
Tupperware stock is GOOD! :)

Yes, its that stoopid flexible plastic pos.

Sound like I need to try a wood stock and glass-bed it.

Have a post-64 first edition M70 with 24" and wood stock got that to sight -in with 6 shots.

ALl my rifle with current exception will hold the "X-ring" for 5 shots, @ 200 yds from prone, using 200 yd target.

Thanks for responses.
 
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