Best .50bmg barrel length?

Just curious what the concensus is. From threads here it seems shorter barrels will be stiffer, slower and louder.

Does anyone have resources that would illusrate what type of bullet drop would be expected at long ranges, past 600m/yards, with various barrel lengths? In essence, how important is the increased velocity or a longer barrel?

I wouldn't consider trying to get a .50 from the US, because of the export regulations that would be wrong, of course. But just for my own information.

44 7/8 inches :D

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/images/m2_machine-gun.jpg

Yeah the Ma Deuce gets the job done.

The barrel on my bro's Armalite is 31 inches. We haven't chronoed it but it seems to do the trick. I wouldn't go under 29 inches or so, but anything much over 31 seems like it would be too impractical to carry around in a rifle. Even with the Armalite, you're looking at 40 pounds or so with a scope.

I hear the 32 inch is just the perfect length for almost everything. I have a 36 inch stainless bull barrel on mine. The longer barrel lets me make full use of the slower burning mill serp. powder.

I will search around for solid info for you.

Thanks, because the Serbu's are 29" for the rifle and 22 for the carbine. Listed weight for the rifle is still only 22lbs.

16in haha

How about one of these?

Well, following the theory it must be very accurate, with little barel-flex.

Mine's only 22inchs, but it's been cold here lately.:evil:

Actually unless you plan to shoot 1,500 - 2,000 yards, no point in having having such a long barrel.