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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics
6.5-.284 Barrel Lengths, Short and Stiff? Powder burn efficiency?
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<blockquote data-quote="Michael Eichele" data-source="post: 635429" data-attributes="member: 1007"><p>I would have offered some advise yesterday here but I don't share the same view as alot of shooters regarding barrel length benefits. Since you asked again for it, I will just hit you between the eyes.</p><p></p><p>Many 'tests' used to compare velocity for given barrel lengths are used with the same barrel and the same powder. The same barrel part I agree with. The same powder I do not. It is not an apples to apples comparison. Powders need to be matched to a given barrel length for optimum performance.</p><p></p><p>Yes it is true that a 20" 308 barrel will offer OK velocities with powder X. When you chop 2 inches off of the barrel the loss may not be that great. However, when using a longer barrel and a powder that will be able to take advantage of the added length, the gains can be very large. Try running VV N-540 in a 20" barrel and then a 26" barrel. The gains are great. With the shorter barrel it takes a faster powder to lower the muzzle blast. Higher muzzle blasts are not as condusive to accuracy than lower muzzle blasts. Running short barrels and slower powders offers horrible accuracy unless you cut back on the charge quite a bit lowering the velocity a ton. So to offset this, faster powders are used. Using a faster powder does little in a longer barrel. Hence the reason many believe that longer barrels for 308's and 6.5x284's are not of much benefit.</p><p></p><p>You can get awsome accuracy AND velocity from a longer barrel using the right powder.</p><p></p><p>With that in mind, try running RETUMBO in a 6.5x284 with a 22" barrel versus a 26-28 or even 30" barrel. In this case, longer is better. Unburned powder from a barrel is never a good thing which is what you will have in a 20-22" barrel in a 6.5x284</p><p></p><p>Long barrels can be tuned just as well as short ones. Yes they are stiffer. Yes they still have harmonics. Tuning is tuning.</p><p></p><p>If you want a short stiff barrel, there are better choices than the 6.5x284 such as the 260 Remington. It will take less than 50-53 grains in a 6.5x284 in a short barrel to make it worth using. If you are going to go with 45-50 grains, go with a 50 grain capacity case.</p><p></p><p>Hope that helps,</p><p></p><p>M</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Michael Eichele, post: 635429, member: 1007"] I would have offered some advise yesterday here but I don't share the same view as alot of shooters regarding barrel length benefits. Since you asked again for it, I will just hit you between the eyes. Many 'tests' used to compare velocity for given barrel lengths are used with the same barrel and the same powder. The same barrel part I agree with. The same powder I do not. It is not an apples to apples comparison. Powders need to be matched to a given barrel length for optimum performance. Yes it is true that a 20" 308 barrel will offer OK velocities with powder X. When you chop 2 inches off of the barrel the loss may not be that great. However, when using a longer barrel and a powder that will be able to take advantage of the added length, the gains can be very large. Try running VV N-540 in a 20" barrel and then a 26" barrel. The gains are great. With the shorter barrel it takes a faster powder to lower the muzzle blast. Higher muzzle blasts are not as condusive to accuracy than lower muzzle blasts. Running short barrels and slower powders offers horrible accuracy unless you cut back on the charge quite a bit lowering the velocity a ton. So to offset this, faster powders are used. Using a faster powder does little in a longer barrel. Hence the reason many believe that longer barrels for 308's and 6.5x284's are not of much benefit. You can get awsome accuracy AND velocity from a longer barrel using the right powder. With that in mind, try running RETUMBO in a 6.5x284 with a 22" barrel versus a 26-28 or even 30" barrel. In this case, longer is better. Unburned powder from a barrel is never a good thing which is what you will have in a 20-22" barrel in a 6.5x284 Long barrels can be tuned just as well as short ones. Yes they are stiffer. Yes they still have harmonics. Tuning is tuning. If you want a short stiff barrel, there are better choices than the 6.5x284 such as the 260 Remington. It will take less than 50-53 grains in a 6.5x284 in a short barrel to make it worth using. If you are going to go with 45-50 grains, go with a 50 grain capacity case. Hope that helps, M [/QUOTE]
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6.5-.284 Barrel Lengths, Short and Stiff? Powder burn efficiency?
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