Favorite Western Hunting Rifle Barrel Length

[Tex Hancock]

I love a 22" barrel but For western hunting I use a 26 inch on my 338 RUM

 

[nwhunter]

For me, 24" seems to be optimum for what I do. I like 22" but for magnums I have gotten rid of all my 26"-barrel mark V 300 Weatherby's and 338 mags and only have one, a vanguard in 300 Weatherby with a 24" barrel. And I don't run cans. I don't miss the 2" going from 26" to 24". And for the most part I don't shoot magnum cartridges. But I don't plan on shooting over 500 yards either. I think the only 26" rifle I have anymore is a 22/250, and should sell it as I don't seem to shoot it.

 

[Dskiper]

24: on .280rem.24" on .338-06,25" on .270wsm,27" on ..300 weath. mag. all good accuate rifles!

 

[257WTBY]

24 for me even on my 340 WTBY.

 

[JAYgs8163]

22"-24" for Western hunting

 

[Rob L.]

A 26" barrel is what I would want (and have) on my favorite hunting rigs. I might add that they have NOT been used exclusively for Western hunting.

 

[LongBomber]

All around western hunting 24 or 26 for me. Oure sheep hunt the shortest and lightest thing I can get.

 

[HuntnPack]

Over the years most of my rifles were
24"-26". Worked well. Newest build is
20" and Can adds 4.5". So far really enjoying this one. Carries well in hand,
On the shoulder, or strapped to the pack.
Next build will be similar.

 

[longrangehunter]

24 if you move around and actually hunt. On foot. Or in the trees. Or Take quick shots.

 

[SSG Graybush]

Curious what everyone likes! Let's call this BEFORE any attachments such as a suppressor or brake.

I went 26" on a 7mag 8T for the 180 vld-h at 2917 - 2944 fps.
I really like the build, shoots awsome, its a OMR prefit. I highly recommend if your doing a diy prefit. Shoots constantly at .4 moa.
This time I am putting together a 33 Nosler. Gonna carry it when hunting for or in brown bear areas out west. Gonna go a different route this time. 20 or 22". For a can and to save more weight. Going to shoot a 185 gr ttsx around 3000-3100 fps. For a good, fairly flat shooting big hole putting cartridge. But still going to have enough twist to shoot the heavies as well, 10T should be fine.
Just dont under twist your barrel. 10T for 33's, 9T for 30's, 8T for 7 and .277's, 7T for 6.5 and 6mm's and 25 cal's.
My 26" 7mag weighs 10#'s even, unloaded. Its a OMR 26" prefit CF barrel, 700 Rem LA, in a McMillan ultra-lite Game Hunter stock with a Vortex Razor LHT 3x15x42. This scope is getting bumped to the 33 Nosler and the new Vortex Razor HD LHT ffp is going on 7mag.
Shortening the barrel 4 to 6 inches to 20 to 22"s should save about a pound. Am guessing. Yeah the shorter barrel will hurt my speed and LR performance but the rifle will handle offhand better and be lighter. And my intention to push a 185 gr at 3150 fps, which shouldn't be a problem at 22"s. 20 maybe hard. Decent pbz of about 275 yards if zero'd 1.0" high at 100 yards. I suggest working backwards when determining components. Whats your end game? Run the ballistics and go from there.
My endgame for this build was a big bore shooting a copper solid fairly flat with a shorter barrel, for a can/and to get weight to about 9#'s even loaded, with a capability to reach out to 800 yards but mostly <500 yards. Just cant decide 20 or 22 inches??? Probably go 22" for this 33 Nosler.
As happy as I am with my 26" 7mag I kinda wish Id gone with a 24" barrel and gave up the 70ish fps but it wouldve handled better offhand and was slightly lighter. But my goal was a accurate LR hunting rifle. So its gtg.

Curious what everyone likes! Let's call this BEFORE any attachments such as a suppressor or brake.

Curious what everyone likes! Let's call this BEFORE any attachments such as a suppressor or brake.

Curious what everyone likes! Let's call this BEFORE any attachments such as a suppressor or brake.

 

[vancewalker007]

Curious what everyone likes! Let's call this BEFORE any attachments such as a suppressor or brake.

On a rifle not intended for a suppressor and intended for pure long range performance I have had good luck with a 26in barrel. I have not run a suppressor, but if I did I feel like I'd pick a 22in.

 

[caveman4867]

20 on the 45-70 and 24 on the 7mm weatherby, works perfect for me.

 

[BwanaObie]

Minimum 23" to 26" depending on the calibre, length & type of stock, barrel contour, medium/long action, balance, firearm weight, etc. I don't like excessive muzzle blast nor leaving velocity and energy on the table.

 

[Sobewan]

22" -24" suits me for stalking and hunting in the hills around me... and lighter is better as I get older.