rifle barrel length with scope

[Rustle in the bushes]

im looking at hunting rifles and its close between the cz 550 fs and the weatherby/sako.

the CZ FS has a 20" barrel and im wondering if theres any advantage to barrel length since I hear that the powder burns well before 20" anyway. I can see for iron sights accuracy but Im using a scope so that doesnt really factor in

 

[CaliCoastie]

Depends on what caliber you are looking at using but you should be fine, even if is not a complete burn all you are going to lose its fps,, which means a little more drop at long range.

 

[Picher]

The 20" barrel will also cause the report to be louder.

 

[jmr40]

Barrel length will have no real effect on accuracy when using a scope. The longer sight radius of a longer barrel makes them easier to shoot well if using iron sights.

But depending on the chambering and what what you want to use it for it could make a difference. Bullets leave the barrel slower form short barrels. With some chamberings the difference is pretty insignificant, but with others you really need a longer barrel.

Short barrels tend to be louder as well.

I hear that the powder burns well before 20" anyway.

Probably true, but the pressure of the burned powder has longer to work on the bullet, still increasing speed after it has all burned. Knowing the chambering you are considering, as well as how and what you are planning to use it for would help with better advice.

 

[Driftertank]

Not all powder, at all case capacities, burns in less than 20"...anyone who's ever fired a Mosin carbine at night can tell you that. Lol.

As previously stated, muzzle velocity loss depends a lot on the chambering and load. Heavy bullets and slow powders will lose more velocity per inch of reduced barrel length than lighter bullets or faster-burning powders.

 

[MachIVshooter]

It depends on the cartridge, but most bottleneck rounds strike the best balance between velocity and rifle poratability in the 22"-26" range. I personally find 24" guns ideal, as they're long enough to get good velocity from most rounds, but short enough that they don't snag on everything in the woods.

 

[LoonWulf]

what cartridge are you considering? the. 308 seems to do okay in 20sthe but higher intensity rounds lose quite a bit of juice and get nasty loud at that length.

 

[Haxby]

Shorter rifles are handier to carry in the woods, easier to fit behind the truck seat, a little quicker to get in & out of the safe.
Longer barrels get a little more velocity.
Those are the only differences I've noticed between 19, 20, 22, and 24 inches.

 

[TonyAngel]

What caliber are we talking about? I'm in south Louisiana, so I've never had a need for more than a .308 and 20" has been fine, although a good bit louder.

 

[Rustle in the bushes]

Itll be 30-06 or .308, most likely 30-06.

I dont think Ill be taking shots at 300 yards while hunting. Probably 100-150/200 max.
Does it matter at these ranges?

 

[kcshooter]

Probably 100-150/200 max.
Does it matter at these ranges?

Not a bit.