BARREL LENGTH

C

crappie1

New member
Greetings everyone. This is my first post after lurking for a while. I want to start hunting predators and need some opinions on barrel length. The hunters I have talked to all have different opinions on barrel length. Some like 22 inch,some like 24 and one hunter swears by a 26 inch heavy barrel. I will be shooting a bolt action in 22-250. Now I just have to find a left handed bolt action. I appreciate any help and THANKS in advance...........Frank
 
i personally wouldn't pack a predator rifle with longer than a 22" barrel. length has nothing to do with accuracy just velocity. i'll give up a little for a light pack gun
 
I agree with the above posters.

Of the 3 guns I use most for predator hunting, 2 of them have 20" barrels. The other I cut down and recrowned at 21.5". No heavy barrels.

I have a 26" heavy barreled 243. It is no fun to lug around. I can do it, no problem, but why?

 
I have 264WM 30" barrel 12.5 LBS. figure 20 to 25 fps per inch over test barrels which in reload manuals is normally 24 or 26 inch.
 
sorry; I just dont get it ....
We are talking about a 22-250, a fast furious little pill.
In my mind if I want to buy a 22-250 ( which I own ) I want to throw this little thing very fast and enjoy the results.
Why Buying a 22-250 and cut is leg of 150 fps just because.
This caliber is fast and will heat the barrel the same way.
My walking varminter is a 223 W/ 22inch barrel.
In my mind a 22-250 should be at least 24 inch, preferably 26 inch to be able to reach is full potential.
 
All depends on how you hunt. Short barrels are faster to shoulder, and aim, but a short heavy barrel weighs the same as a 24-26" sporter barrel[or close to].

I don't pack my predator rifles far. Only from the truck to the stand. I can cover a lot of ground in a day, but I travel in a truck, not walking, like on a big game hunt.

I might start my day at 8500ft, and end the day at 5000ft. That's alot of country.

Heavy barrels don't bother me, nor do long barrels. I have them all. When in the stand, the shooting sticks hold the rifle, when traveling my truck carries the weight. This is just my experience.

My country is wide open. You can see for miles. So for me a longer barrel on a 22-250 [or swifter] gives me more velocity, and flatter trajectories. Makes a longer shot a lot easier, but if you walk a lot, or don't have long shooting lanes then the short light contour barrels are the way to go.

Guns are tools, and we must pick our tools for our job. Not for popular consent.
 
Originally Posted By: SmokelessAll depends on how you hunt. Short barrels are faster to shoulder, and aim, but a short heavy barrel weighs the same as a 24-26" sporter barrel[or close to].

I don't pack my predator rifles far. Only from the truck to the stand. I can cover a lot of ground in a day, but I travel in a truck, not walking, like on a big game hunt.

I might start my day at 8500ft, and end the day at 5000ft. That's alot of country.

Heavy barrels don't bother me, nor do long barrels. I have them all. When in the stand, the shooting sticks hold the rifle, when traveling my truck carries the weight. This is just my experience.

My country is wide open. You can see for miles. So for me a longer barrel on a 22-250 [or swifter] gives me more velocity, and flatter trajectories. Makes a longer shot a lot easier, but if you walk a lot, or don't have long shooting lanes then the short light contour barrels are the way to go.

Guns are tools, and we must pick our tools for our job. Not for popular consent.

I agree although last year I packed my 264WM all day on my shoulder while grouse hunting with a 12 rem auto. Oh and I am 65 so If I can do that I would think you young bucks wouldn't cry too much about weight.
 
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Another vote for 22".
I've found it to be the best compromise for weight vs velocity for my 17cal's.

FWIW, my 243 Deer rifle has a 20" tube. It's nice and light but god-awfull loud.
I wish it was also 22".
 
I prefer 24" and over for the 22-250. I hate compromising velocity etc......then again I'm young and fit and I'll carry it.
 
Originally Posted By: ryutzyI prefer 24" and over for the 22-250. I hate compromising velocity etc......then again I'm young and fit and I'll carry it.

24" is a standard length how heavy could it be?
 
I've had 22-250's with 22 and 24 inch sticks. Both shot great and I have never had a coyote tell me which they prefer. I think I got a little more snow down my neck with the 24".
 
I have a Savage with a 26" barrel. Very awkward for shoulder carry. It's nose heavy and doesn't stay in place. I'd prefer a 24" barrel as a compromise to keep the velocity up and give me a better balanced rifle.
 
Originally Posted By: 5spdAll my guns run a 24" varmint bbl., easy to carry all day also.

2+

Mine too. Good balance of all the factors mentioned above.

NB
 
I think it depends on the area you live and the game you hunt more then anything else as to what type of rifle you need. Where I live and hunt it's all long shots so heavy barrels are in as are long barrels for velocity. I don't walk 20 miles a day either,I'm more prone to pick a spot and lie in ambush for game. At most I may walk 5 miles a day. I'm also in my 60's and the weight of the rifle doesn't bother me.

Someone that hunts in the mountains isn't going to want a heavy/long barrel. Of the people above suggesting 22" and non heavy barrel they may live in mountainous terrain and walk long distances in their hunting.

Never hunted in Missouri so don't know what that's like.

I have rifles with 24" and 26" barrels. Of the 2 I prefer 24", just better balanced. I'll take a small loss in velocity but I'm fine with that. But sometimes you can't choose the length and take what you get.
 
Frank, 22/250's are LOUD! Did I say they are LOUD? Well, they are LOUD.

So, I would opt for a 24" sporter barrel which is probably what you will find for sale.

Even a 20" 223 is very loud with some ball powders.

Call me stupid, but I like getting that sound away from my ears.
 
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