apache12 Report post Posted July 30, 2012 I found a nice clean Browning A bol with a 13.50 LOP but a 20 inch barrel in 7mm-08. I've heard some folks say a 20 inch barrel has a lack of accuracy and maybe some velocity for loss of energy. Any thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjvcon Report post Posted July 30, 2012 Not sure about the Browning, but we have a Ruger M77 Mark II Compact with an 18" pipe, and it is one of the most accurate rifles in our safe ... and there aren't just a few. It'll print clovers at 100 yards when we do our part. Velocity definitely drops with shorter pipes ... it is just a function of not getting as complete a powder burn. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azgutpile Report post Posted July 30, 2012 The only thing you loose is velocity. Some people might even argue that a shorter barrel is more accurate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted July 30, 2012 Velocity down, noise level up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Sniper Report post Posted July 30, 2012 Velocity down, accuracy shouldn't be affected. As gutpile mentioned some may argue the accuracy will go up due to harmonics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rcdinaz Report post Posted July 30, 2012 You may be able to do a lot of work on powder selection for your reloading and get some velocity back, it won't be all of it. If you find a faster burning powder you might find a load that us still within 100-150 fps of the longer barrel. Reality is it shouldn't matter much if you are not planning on shooting longer distances, in the first 300 yds maybe 400 you will still have plenty of energy. Just pretend it is a 308 which I think have killed quite a few animals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
10Turkeys Report post Posted July 31, 2012 First off is it a factory 20 in barrel or did someone lop acouple of inches off, which I would pass unless the gun is going really cheap. I read an article one time on barrel lengths and .308's, said that length didn't matter much with that particular round, at that time I had three, one in a 20 in, one in a 22 in and one in a 24. Grabbed the chrono the three guns and headed toward the range. There was little difference between the three, but that was my three using my bullets my powder, someone else might have had quite a spread between the three. Bottom line for my thoughts is this, most game is shot less than 200 yards there is a few taken that are way out there, but for most taken it wouldn't matter if the barrel was 20 inches or not. My personal preference is 24. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
apache12 Report post Posted August 1, 2012 factory rifle, not chopped. Thanks for the feedback Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couesdeer Report post Posted August 21, 2012 I've seen more than a few Model 7s in 7-08 sporting 20" tubes that shot lights out. I don't have hard data in front of me, but I'd bet you won't lose more than 25 fps per inch under a 24" barrel (100 fps loss in total). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
