Which type barrel is better?

Which barrel-longer/thinner, or shorter/heavier? *please state why*

  • Longer, thinner barrel

    Votes: 8 34.8%

  • Shorter, heavier barrel

    Votes: 15 65.2%
  • Total voters
    23
  • Poll closed .
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Eightball

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So, recently I've been debating special ordering a gun through my job (yay for working at an FFL :) ). Anyway, for one of the main rifles I'm considering (it's a bolt-action), there's a longer, pencil-barrel, and a shorter, heavier/thicker barrel, both in the same calibre. So, I ask the great guru that is THR--If all other things were equal (price, availabilty, options, etc etc etc), what would be the better choice--a rifle platform with a longer, thinner barrel or the same platform with a (relatively) shorter, heavier barrel, and why is whichever choice better?
 
Do you want to maximize velocity or have a stiffer barrel that is easier to carry in the woods.
 
I see very little point to a short, heavy barrel.

A heavy barrel is good for sustained fire without heating up as much, or long range precision where the extra stiffness will shrink your groups a little. A short barrel is good for confined spaces - buildings and brush.

How much sustained fire and long range precision work do you do in buildings and brush?
 
It's just as a "general" question; assume the rifle in question would be for accuracy purposes--target shooting/range fun--and possibly hunting, so maybe ranges going out to 500-ish (farthest I've shot, to date) at the absolute max.

As for the velocity/easier to carry, I haven't decided yet; I would have no problem hunting with my Garand, which is heavy and large, so assume that weight/size wouldn't be too huge a consideration. I'm just curious if there are technical reasons why one type barrel would be a better choice than the other.
 
The most accurate factory rifle I ever fired is my Rem 700 LTR , which has a 20" heavy barrel. Many of those over at snipercentral.com have nothing but high praise for the accuracy of the 700 LTRs , although they are more apt to shoot the .308 version while I have the .223. Many of them prefer the 20" LTR over the 26" 700P.

I've owned the longer 26" bull barrel versions of the 700 in both .308 and .223 but this 20" LTR still beats them. And even my 26" Savage , which is quite accurate, usually does not shoot as well as the "little" 700LTR.
 
I'm in the process of building a rifle at the gunsmithing school I attend and chose to "compromise" somewhat. I decided on a Pac-Nor #5 contour which is a fairly stout tube - .700" at the muzzle and almost 4 lbs. Because of the caliber (8x68S), I plan on keeping the finished length at 26" so that I'll have plenty of accuracy and velocity.
 
I would also think that chambering would make a difference, .223 can be very effective from a 20" barrell, and a thick one will maximize accuracy, a big slow cartridge like 45-70 would benefit from a longer barrell to maximize velocity, I think most short mags, and maybe some varmint cartridges would be ideal in a 20"BBL rifle, making a compact yet accurate rifle.
 
Have a Rem. 700 Varmint in .308. Has the 26" heavy fluted barrel which adds stiffness and additional cooling surface. Fires great groups and is good for all kinds of "varmints".
 
I don't understand the question. Its like apples and oranges....or actually more like fruits or vegetables. Neither one suits at all what the other offers.

26" of the heaviest bull barrel I can get if I am not moving.
The shortest and lightest barrel I can get if I am hiking and will only take a shot or two.
 
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