Measuring barrel length of a rifle

[batex]

I know that with a shotgun, you can simply insert a wooden dowel in the barrel until it hits the closed breech face of the bolt and measure the distance to the end of the barrel. Is this also how rifle barrel length is measured?

The reason I ask is that I recently acquired a custom rifle and in reading about barrel length impact on velocity, I am curious to know the barrel length of this gun. Also, another person told me to measure to the front of the recoil lug but I thought I'd ask the experts.

Thanks,

 

[shotgunjoel]

Measure from the closed bolt face to the muzzle.

 

[taliv]

i always measure from the bolt face (i.e. with a cleaning rod or wooden dowel)

 

[matrem]

A chronograph is your only way to know your specific velocities, but muzzle to bolt face is what most folks consider to be bbl length.

 

[Jim Watson]

The LEGAL length of a rifle barrel is breechface to muzzle.

For ballistic calculations the old Powley Computer wanted the distance of bullet travel which took some measurements and arithmetic.
I don't know about Quickload, the best known modern computer software.

 

[jmr40]

It is done the same with both rifles and shotguns. A differnce in 1-2" of barrel length is pretty insignificant. If you are comparing 16" barrels to 26" barrels it matters.

 

[Coltdriver]

So you have how to measure now. The difference in barrel length affects smaller calibers to a greater degree than bigger calibers.

So for each inch of barrel that you take away a 30 caliber rifle will lose less velocity than for example a .223. This is a general rule of thumb.

It is also interesting that, especially with the smaller calibers that you can lose velocity with a barrel that is too long. I remember the tests done on the .204 when it first came out and the 22 inch barrel gave the highest velocity with the 17 grain factory ammo. More or less barrel and the velocity came down.

 

[zoom6zoom]

A differnce in 1-2" of barrel length is pretty insignificant.

Relating to performance, of course. Legally, it can affect your mailing address for ten years or so.

 

[GBExpat]

Measure from the closed bolt face to the muzzle.

I have read that that is how the BATFE does it, so ...

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Law of the land:
Closed bolt to the end of barrel or properly-permanently affixed muzzle device.

If you have a muzzle device not "permanently affixed" it must be removed prior to measuring.

But, does your chrono care about them? Not really. Just sayin' in case this comes up in a search regarding legality.