What's your rifle barrel length of choice?

[North Idaho Hunter]

Just like the title states - what is your preferred barrel length of choice? Whether its punching paper or taking game, feel free to discuss what you prefer!

No wrong answers here fellas, it's fun to see/hear what others like to use.

 

[HARPERC]

I picked 20", but would qualify that by saying I have the others, and it depends on what I'm asking the rifle to do.

20" is compact and handy. Works for a general carry rifle. I've had several in that length and seem to come back to it.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Totally depends on the intended use.
I have centerfire rifles with barrels from 20" to 28".

 

[LVJ76]

24" for me, I like the balance of 24" hunting barrels. I shoot mostly offhand and shorter barrels just dont balance well. For competition 26" Varmint is perfect.

 

[kiwikid]

Although I chose 24" which most of my rifles have there are cartridges such as the 25-06 and 6 5-284 in my safe that wear 26" tubes. Some cartridges just seem to shine with a longer barrel.

 

[Gary in MD]

If it’s a magnum then I want 26”
Others then I would prefer 24”ish.

 

[WV338]

For 308 based cartridges for hunting I prefer 21”. They are lighter weight by a little bit and they group better for me.

 

[FrogFire7]

I guess it depends... Hunting (and what style/location) vs varmint vs target. Right now I'd answer 24", but I have a suppressor in jail right now and I suspect that number will go down at least a few inches once the can gets here...

 

[North Idaho Hunter]

Totally depends on the intended use.
I have centerfire rifles with barrels from 20" to 28".

Agreed - if you could only have 1 length what would you prefer?

 

[IHFarmer07]

If it’s a magnum then I want 26”
Others then I would prefer 24”ish.

I concur, standard cartridges 24” or less and magnums no shorter than 26”. Also depends on if a person is using a suppressor. Then it comes into play of how heavy and long the suppressor is.

 

[6fatrat]

24" on my mountain rifle, 24 or 26 on my hunting magnums.
26" on my match riles and 30" on my fullbore and any rifles.
Steve Bair

 

[Stevenstl86]

Woods in Missouri 16” out west magnum 22-24

 

[MKWas]

Nominally 24" is a good length and is also a decent sight length for iron sights But it depends on the chambering & use.

For most chamberings, most rounds gain little or nothing from going longer than 24". However a large caliber, large capacity round (eg 458 Win Mag, 375 H&H) uses slower burning powder and can benefit from a longer barrel so a 26" barrel is preferred. Alternatively for lighter rounds (eg rimfire, pistol calibers in a rifle) a 22" barrel works fine.

Then the choice is modified per intended usage, A brush gun would certainly be fine in a shorter length for ease of handling & shorter shots. And for a rifle intended for long difficult hikes I'd consider compromising with a shorter barrel though I'd do everything else to reduce weight first.

 

[lotech]

I've hunted for years in brush, mountains, open country, etc. with barrels ranging from 20" to 26". I can't tell any real difference in handiness between the various lengths.