Barrel length vs accuracy

[ssinrdg]

All the longer barrel does, is allow you to reach a higher velocity node that may potentially be more accurate.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Longer barrel has nothing to do with accuracy or precision. Harmonics are a result of more factors than barrel length. And, same as already mentioned, I have short barreled rifles that are just as accurate as my 26" barrels. The newest examples being my Ruger American Predator .308 and my X-bolt Pro Long Range 300wm, both are sub moa all day. The Ruger wont't have the same range, but from 300yds in it matches my X-bolt Pro LR 300wm for group size.

 

[OG10]

Yeah, I remember last time I was at the nationals. Everyone was shooting 16 to 18 inch barrels..

 

[Mikecr]

Just a couple notions about it
Some of a barrel's movements are in vertical plane (while never purely). A short-stiff barrel would likely move at a higher frequency at lower amplitude. A long-flexible barrel would likely move at a lower frequency at higher amplitude.
That sounds really bad for a longer barrel choice, but, a lower frequency movement allows easier reach of tune and it's forgiving.

There is also internal ballistics -> muzzle pressure
The lower your muzzle pressure the lower the blast across a releasing bullet.
This pressure can be reduced with either faster/efficient powder burn, or longer barrel length.

Still, I doubt length could be declared as better worse in a broad sense.
Complicated -Yes I think so

 

[dfanonymous]

Why does barrel whip, or rather harmonics matter?

Seems to me a very well made pencil thin barrel would be more accurate than a cheaply made bull barrel. My guess is barrel length isnt a metric in precision or accuracy at all, but its the barrel construction. A pencil thin barrel thats precisely made will be consistent harmonics that a handload can be tuned for. Its possible an equally quality thicker barrel with less harmonics might be easier or for forgiving to tune a handload for, but maybe the trade off for that would be more vertical dispersion at long range unless you "really" tune that handload.

Like I said in my post. Usually it doesn't.
But to answer the question: because movement is what cause variability. Which is why people spend money on tuners.

 

[jseandsje]

I am a person that doesn't put up with crap and will call it out when I see it. I have never heard of anyone saying that longer barrel rifle are inherently more accurate than shorter barrel rifles. Got into a discussion with a YouTuber who thinks a long barrel rifle will make the gun inherently more accurate.

I have never heard of such a thing, the only thing that I know is that barrel length will affect speed and that's about it. Twist is a different story and I am not talking about that. I have seen some amazing shooters and rifles shooting shorter barrel rifles and smashing steel and critters way out at range.

Is there any evidence to support that a shorter barrel rifle is inherently less accurate than a longer barrel rifle?

I have 18" rifles that are 1/4" rifles and 26" barrels that shoot about the same. I just don't understand the concept

We have 16.5 to 26" barrels. You work a load to the barrel whip and get accuracy regardless.

The only caveat is heat and poorly bedded actions. Longer barrel accuracy is hindered more from this combination. Properly bedded, you will see no difference in short vs long.
You may actually shoot a little better with the long due to extra weight.

My $.02.

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

YEP!

Get out the popcorn.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Yeah, I remember last time I was at the nationals. Everyone was shooting 16 to 18 inch barrels..

That's an ignorant statement. They're using longer barrels because they want the higher velocity and flatter trajectory, as already mentioned. Why would you shoot a barrel that has 4" more drop at 300yds? Has nothing to do with group size, everything to do with Bc and corrections needed.

 

[Critter Picker]

There's a lot of variables, but we all know that a stiffer barrel will tend to shoot better than a wimpy one. To overexagerate a point take a 21 foot chunk of 1 inch pipe. Hold it up by one end. How much does it flex? Now take a 5 foot section of the same pipe and hold it by one end. How much does it flex?

It has been my experience that ( all things being equal) a short stiff barrel will outshoot a longer one. But you will usually have to sacrifice velocity.

 

[OG10]

Exactly my point.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

Never been a fan of shoulder-pistols myself.

 

[Rick Richard]

No difference in terms of "inherent" accuracy but as mentioned speed is effected, however shorter overall package maybe difficult for some shooters to hold vs a longer and more stable unit…
.which will effect overall performance. My experience anyway.

 

[oneshot.onehit]

In the world of 22LR and factory ammo a longer barrel say 25" tightens up the ES versus 16 to 18", so yes a longer barrel can influence accuracy.

Especially when pushing the limits at 500 to 1000

Osoh

 

[Turpentine21]

I have done some reading on it. Yes I do read! It's my understanding that a short thick barrel will have less flex than a longer barrel of the same thickness. So you get less movement and potentially more accuracy. But there are a lot of variables and some barrel voodoo that effects things. There's also the drop in velocity. I personally prefer longer barrels for this reason.

I've also heard it said that shorter stiffer barrels tend to have wider accuracy nodes. I'm not sure about that. I saw that on the internet. The internet, just like You Tube, is Pure True I've been told.