Choosing a Barrel and its Length

[Lee Q. Loader]

I'm getting closer to finalizing my rifle purchase with Masterpiece Arms. I've decided on 25 Creedmoor, single-stage Bix n Andy trigger, and all the other options, except the barrel.
Heavy Varmint, MTU, 1.25 straight, etc., I really have no idea! Even then when I decide which barrel, how do I choose the length?

Here's why I want the rifle:
I have a place near my home where I can shoot anywhere from 50 yards to 1350 yards.
This rifle is only for my enjoyment to shoot a 12" steel gong at that 1350 yards or closer.
I love developing loads for new cartridges and getting them to shoot well.
I'm a self-taught amateur at long-range shooting, but wow, I really have a lot of fun doing it!
Where I shoot is about 5800' in elevation and I almost always have a variable 2 o'clock wind.

I've read that too long a barrel, say 30", can have a negative affect on accuracy.
Any help on choosing the barrel and its length would be appreciated.
If there's any more info you'd like to know for my choice, please let me know. Again, I'm a total amateur, just having a ton of fun and hoping to have a lot more as I near retirement.

 

[Varminterror]

The "barrel over 30" is bad" thing is largely a myth. Palma shooters have been running 31" tubes for generations. I have a couple of 31" and 32" tubes currently, and a 36" tube on my Heavy Division rifle. But... There's really no reason to have a 30" barrel on a 25 Creed just to shoot 1350.

26-28" in an MTU or Straight 1.25" will do everything you need, and will balance very well in the MPA chassis with minimal forend weights (more needed in the Vanquish and Matrix than the BA Comp or hybrid).

If you REALLY want it to be set up ONLY as a belly gun, then sure, kick on a 29-30" tube, but it'll really only pick up around 50-60fps over a 26-27" tube, which really doesn't add much distance to your transonic boundary.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Will you ever add a suppressor to the end of the barrel?

I have a 22" 6.5x47 and really like how it balances. Using a 130 grain Berger, I've shot out to 1250 yards at 2400' and it did just fine. A 25 Creed with a 24 or 26" barrel would do even better.

 

[Lee Q. Loader]

Will you ever add a suppressor to the end of the barrel?

I have a 22" 6.5x47 and really like how it balances. Using a 130 grain Berger, I've shot out to 1250 yards at 2400' and it did just fine. A 25 Creed with a 24 or 26" barrel would do even better.

Maybe at some point I would get a suppressor, for now I'm going with the DN5 Brake.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have 28" barrels on my FTRs. Why? Because anything longer cost more by the inch.

 

[Varminterror]

Will you ever add a suppressor to the end of the barrel?

Won't really matter, it's a range gun. Sure, adding a 13oz suppressor on the end of a 30" barrel adds leverage, so he might need to add a longer spigot or cantilever like the bipodext, but I highly doubt that (since I have these barrel lengths and shoot them suppressed).

 

[MarshallDodge]

Won't really matter, it's a range gun. Sure, adding a 13oz suppressor on the end of a 30" barrel adds leverage, so he might need to add a longer spigot or cantilever like the bipodext, but I highly doubt that (since I have these barrel lengths and shoot them suppressed)

It won't matter in performance but some people have a preference for a shorter barrel when running a suppressor.

 

[Varminterror]

some people have a preference for a shorter barrel when running a suppressor.

Usually NOT for a belly/bench gun. Hunting and field work, sure.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Usually NOT for a belly/bench gun. Hunting and field work, sure.

Usually

 

[JFrank]

Our most widely used barrels for LR light gun ( 17 pound limit) is 1.25 for 5” than straight taper to .900 at the muzzle finished length is 28” ~ that’s a 29” blank. Krieger lists it as #17 HV. My receipt s say MTU

 

[OS/N]

I usually prefer a 24 on something I will carry in the field. Straight taper 26 for target rigs. I don't have any knowledge on the 25 creed. I didn't know how good of BCs for the 25 is availible. I have a 25-06 but use 100s for it for deer as it has a std twist barrel - typical is 3200-3400 fps. You need a tough bullet inside of 100 yrds with deer at these speeds. I prefer 2800+/- fps on target rigs that get shot a lot to save barrel life.

 

[LoonWulf]

I just put a 26" MTU taper in 6cm on one of my target guns, im liking the balance so far. I still need a brake but well see how it shoots soon.

 

[Walkalong]

A 26" MTU balances vert well in a Matrix chassis with no weights, about 19.5 lbs. 26" is probably the most common in the PRS matches I go to.