50BMG Bohica 24 vs 30 Inch Barrel Question

[jpwilly]

I saw the thread on the Bohica 50BMG Uppers for AR's being offered at low enough intorductory prices to make me want to pick one up! First let me say it looks like a great product and best wishes to the owners in their new venture. I found the image below at AR15.net of the 24inch barrel upper with the ACE stock. My question is what would the muzzle velocity from a 24" and a 30" barrel be. Being a long range caliber what would be the big advantage to a 24" barrel aside from looks and reduced weight? Certaily no real tactical advantage is gained by a single shot bolt 50BMG with a shorter barrel?? Plus the loss of valuable MV...please discuss.

 

[quicktime]

To get the absolute most out of a long range round you need barrel length. You need to use slower burning powders and longer barrels to get the velocity that pays off down range. So there is no advantage in a shorter barrel. Everybody that I know wants the longest abarrel they can get when shooting long range. I have seen people hang 32" barrels on 223 long range stuff. If you are expecting long range sustained velocity and consistency hang the longest barrel you can get on it.

 

[Geno]

For my part, I ordered the 24" for the reduced recoil, and for easier tarnsportation, easier carry and better balance.

 

[havanatrader]

Threads I've read (I've no personal experience) indicated around a 150fps loss of MV. Probably not a big issue unless you're shooting past 2K yards.

It would be interesting to hear about if Chris is willing/able to chronograph his 24 and 30 barrels.

 

[50 Shooter]

The standard is 30" to ensure that all the powder is burnt, if he was offering 36" barrels that would be even better. You're not losing that much MV, you usually can figure 25-30 FPS per inch of barrel loss.

With the .50 BMG uppers length is a moot point as you can take the upper off and buy a case small enough to fit the two halves in the case.

 

[aspade]

A 24" barrel is about right if you're hanging another foot of can on the end of it.

 

[PTK]

30" is about right if you're have a reflex can made so that only 8" of 18" hangs off the end.