24" or 26" bbl for 7wsm?

[MSLRHunter]

I had decided to go with a fluted #5 finished at 26" on my 7wsm build, but now I'm thinking about the same barrel finished at 24" just to make it a little handier. This will be an all around carry hunting rifle for shots out to around 600 yds. I plan on shooting 160 accubonds or maybe 168 bergers, but probably the accubond. Will I be able to get the 160 accubond close to 3100fps with a 24" or will I be giving up too much velocity from the 26"? It will be built on a SA Stiller predator with wyatts extended mag. Thanks!

 

[jabey9210]

I currently shoot a 7WSM with a 27" mcgowen varmint contour and am getting 3000fps exactly with 180gr bergers. I plan on building a new 7WSM this spring in a 24" magnum contour barrel just to make the packin around the mountains easier. My current one is built on a savage 110 long action and with the bergers seated out to the lands the fit in the magazine perfectly and feed perfectly. If I were you I would definitely go with the 24" if you're gonna pack it at all it would sure make it easier.

 

[Dalebow]

whole reason the wsm was developed, short action, shorter barrel, sure you can get more fps with a longer barrel, but you can with any caliber including 270, 3006, ect.
Personally I went with a 23" barrel and with muzzlebrake is 24.5" and is sweet to handle. gave up 70fps..............nothing I shoot seems to mind

 

[gcamp54]

whole reason the wsm was developed, short action, shorter barrel, sure you can get more fps with a longer barrel, but you can with any caliber including 270, 3006, ect.
Personally I went with a 23" barrel and with muzzlebrake is 24.5" and is sweet to handle. gave up 70fps..............nothing I shoot seems to mind

I went with the 24" barrel for the same reasons. Unfortunately I have not received the rifle yet so I can't comment on it further. I'm at 2 1/2 years waiting so far. Maybe it will never show up. I'd still order the same set up if I had to start over. The 7WSM still seems to be a great round for the it's intended use after continued research of all the ballistic info on other rounds I've compared.

Gordon

 

[MSLRHunter]

Dalebow, just curious, what bullet and velocity do you get from your 23"?

 

[Dalebow]

165 grain TTSX, 3095, factory Barnes TTSX

 

[MSLRHunter]

If I can get 3095 out of a 160 accubond, then I will probably go with a 24".