I'm looking into getting a new rifle for long range varmits (up to about 300yrds) and I'm going to be buying a savage arms rifle. I have 2 picked out and like them both but one has a 22" barrel (10 predator hunter) and the other a 26" barrel (12BVSS) both have 1:9 twist and will be chambered in .223 and I will be typically shooting 55gr Hornady V-MAX bullets. So, will the 26" give better accuracy results over the 22"?
22" or 26" ?
- Thread starter VetteV12
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trstafford
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I don,t think that the 223 would gain an advantage using a 26" barrel. If you selected a round like 22-250 then I would recommend the 26. IMHO
I don,t think that the 223 would gain an advantage using a 26" barrel. If you selected a round like 22-250 then I would recommend the 26. IMHO
Outlaws
Member
Barrel length doesn't increase accuracy. 300 yards is nothing. 22" is plenty. 16"-18" would work well too.
If you get into actual distance, then you would want a heavier bullet and a faster twist.
If you get into actual distance, then you would want a heavier bullet and a faster twist.
sarduy
Member
with the 26'' you will have a little more FPS out of your bullets but...that's all preference, i would go with the 26'' but that's just me.
rangerruck
Member
26 inch, much thicker bbl, much more stable, much more resistant to heat, much more able to hold very still. What I would take.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
My Ruger 77 MkII in .223 has a rather light barrel of 22". I've had no problems on prairie dogs to 300 yards, but I don't shoot so fast that the barrel gets seriously heated.
I don't see where barrel length makes much difference in group size. I've gotten well inside one MOA with my .223 and also with my 26" '06.
I don't see where barrel length makes much difference in group size. I've gotten well inside one MOA with my .223 and also with my 26" '06.
The Annoyed Man
Member
The only advantage of a 26" barrel over a 22" barrel for a .223, I would think, would be about 50 fps or so more in velocity. My Bushmaster varminter has a 24" barrel, but I would have been comfortable with a 22" barrel.
Vern Humphrey
Member
A long barrel would have an advantage if you used iron sights -- it would give you a longer sight radius. And it might give more velocity -- on the order of 25 - 50 fps for each added inch. But some short barrels shoot as fast as longer ones.
A short barrel, on the other hand, would be stiffer -- and stiffness does result in better accuracy.
A short barrel, on the other hand, would be stiffer -- and stiffness does result in better accuracy.
351 WINCHESTER
Member
Actually, all things being equal you will get better accuracy from a 16" bbl than from a 26" tube.
I have the Savage Predator Hunter in .223, and at 100yds I can keep 5 rnds inside of .75" (When the Wyoming wind is cooperating). I have not shot much past that yet to see what it/I can do out at longer ranges. But once the snow melts and the wind calms down I plan on seeing what it will do.
There is much that has been said about accuracy in regards to barrel length as well as velocity. Here is an unusual test in where a 22" Sako .223 was cut in one inch increments and tested each time with 14 loads for both accuracy and velocity:
http://www.accuratereloading.com/223sb.html
The .223 is pretty much what I have settled on and have a couple of 26" bolt actions - Rem 700 SPS and Savage 12BVSS and a 20" 700 LTR. The 20" LTR has been the most accurate factory rifle I have ever fired. The 26" SPS is fairly new but shows great promise of coming close to the LTR.
http://www.accuratereloading.com/223sb.html
The .223 is pretty much what I have settled on and have a couple of 26" bolt actions - Rem 700 SPS and Savage 12BVSS and a 20" 700 LTR. The 20" LTR has been the most accurate factory rifle I have ever fired. The 26" SPS is fairly new but shows great promise of coming close to the LTR.
Oohrah
Member
Unless a large capacity cartridge, the shorter barrel is every bit as good,
and handles better. Short stiff barrels generally are known for tight
groups in these caliber. Might lose a few feet per second velocity with
it, but maybe not. Each rifle has there own characteristics. I have a
223 Rem., with a Nor Pac barrel, on a Rem 700 action that puts ten rounds
into a one large hole between a dime and nickle. The barrel is a bull 20"
fluted handles great on running yotes. My longer barreled 25-06 that is
26," is not that handy
and handles better. Short stiff barrels generally are known for tight
groups in these caliber. Might lose a few feet per second velocity with
it, but maybe not. Each rifle has there own characteristics. I have a
223 Rem., with a Nor Pac barrel, on a Rem 700 action that puts ten rounds
into a one large hole between a dime and nickle. The barrel is a bull 20"
fluted handles great on running yotes. My longer barreled 25-06 that is
26," is not that handy
Oohrah
Member
Unless a large capacity cartridge, the shorter barrel is every bit as good,
and handles better. Short stiff barrels generally are known for tight
groups in these caliber. Might lose a few feet per second velocity with
it, but maybe not. Each rifle has there own characteristics. I have a
223 Rem., with a Nor Pac barrel, on a Rem 700 action that puts ten rounds
into a one large hole between a dime and nickle. The barrel is a bull 20"
fluted handles great on running yotes. My longer barreled 25-06 that is
26," is not that handy
and handles better. Short stiff barrels generally are known for tight
groups in these caliber. Might lose a few feet per second velocity with
it, but maybe not. Each rifle has there own characteristics. I have a
223 Rem., with a Nor Pac barrel, on a Rem 700 action that puts ten rounds
into a one large hole between a dime and nickle. The barrel is a bull 20"
fluted handles great on running yotes. My longer barreled 25-06 that is
26," is not that handy
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