Long vs Short Barrel
Forum rules
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.
Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.
Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
Long vs Short Barrel
Although I occasionally hunt with the long barreled Marlin, I generally reach for my Mossberg when going on a wild hog hunt here in Florida. This is the model 464 featuring a 16 inch barrel and Marine-coat finish. Handling is superb for me! I know that there is a velocity loss factor but have not detected any difference in killing power or accuracy from the shorter barrel. However it is noticeably louder when a round is touched off.
TR
TR
Fire Up the Grill - Hunting is NOT Catch & Release!
- marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 6451
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:40 pm
- Location: Oregon
Re: Long vs Short Barrel
I've always preferred longer barrels, and never found them a hindrance, regardless of hunting conditions.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
Re: Long vs Short Barrel
I always preferred the shorter carbine and trapper length barrels. I live out in the desert so there isn't really any place where brush is going to be in my way with a longer barrel and with irons the longer barrels give me a longer sight radius, I just prefer the look of the shorter barrels.
- gamekeeper
- Spambot Zapper
- Posts: 17376
- Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:32 pm
- Location: Over the pond unfortunately.
Re: Long vs Short Barrel
I prefer shorter barrels but yes I find noise is a factor.
If more men loved and cherished their wives as much as I love bacon the world would be a much better place.
Re: Long vs Short Barrel
I tend to go with shorter barrels. The difference ballistically between longer and shorter is insignificant. The animal isn't going to know if it was shot with a 20" vs a 24" barrel. Shot placement is much more important that a few fps.
The loudness of the report is generally higher on sorter barrels. But, now that I'm already half deaf I finally figured out there are comfortable and unobtrusive devices that cancel the noise of a gun short while amplifying ambient sounds.
The loudness of the report is generally higher on sorter barrels. But, now that I'm already half deaf I finally figured out there are comfortable and unobtrusive devices that cancel the noise of a gun short while amplifying ambient sounds.
Jeepnik AKA "Old Eyes"
"Go low, go slow and preferably in the dark" The old Sarge (he was maybe 24.
"Freedom is never more that a generation from extinction" Ronald Reagan
"Every man should have at least one good rifle and know how to use it" Dad
"Go low, go slow and preferably in the dark" The old Sarge (he was maybe 24.
"Freedom is never more that a generation from extinction" Ronald Reagan
"Every man should have at least one good rifle and know how to use it" Dad
- gamekeeper
- Spambot Zapper
- Posts: 17376
- Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:32 pm
- Location: Over the pond unfortunately.
Re: Long vs Short Barrel
I forgot to say, great photos thanks for sharing....
If more men loved and cherished their wives as much as I love bacon the world would be a much better place.
Re: Long vs Short Barrel
.
I've found, over the years, that some guns just handle better than others with either a longer (24+) or shorter (16") barrel, and choose according to my druthers.
Although YMMV, I prefer short barrels on short-actions (pistol cartridge length) with straight-gripped stocks, & longer barrels with pistol grip stocks on long-actions (.30-30/.405).
.
I've found, over the years, that some guns just handle better than others with either a longer (24+) or shorter (16") barrel, and choose according to my druthers.
Although YMMV, I prefer short barrels on short-actions (pistol cartridge length) with straight-gripped stocks, & longer barrels with pistol grip stocks on long-actions (.30-30/.405).
.
Re: Long vs Short Barrel
The velocity loss probably averages no more than 100 fps, and the chance any animal shot with it will know the difference is nil. The shorties sure are handy.
Re: Long vs Short Barrel
You might find the short barrel possibly having an accuracy advantage. I like long barrels when velocity is needed like in a varmint rifle, but short barrels for pure accuracy. A shorter barrel sometimes has less accuracy robbing flex.
- AJMD429
- Posting leader...
- Posts: 32029
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:03 am
- Location: Hoosierland
- Contact:
Re: Long vs Short Barrel
Short barrels may be easier to hold steady for some folks (or not), too.
The IDEAL levergun for my taste would have a short, but integrally-suppressed, barrel for the best of both worlds. They'd be commonplace were it not for NFA'34...
The IDEAL levergun for my taste would have a short, but integrally-suppressed, barrel for the best of both worlds. They'd be commonplace were it not for NFA'34...
Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
Re: Long vs Short Barrel
I like long and short. The 16" trappers are a joy to carry.
N.
N.
Psalm ch8.
Because I wish I could!
Because I wish I could!
-
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 4296
- Joined: Wed Sep 15, 2010 12:57 pm
- Location: Vinita, I.T.
Re: Long vs Short Barrel
I like carrying a rifle by the grip so if the barrel is short enough to clear the ground when carried this way I like it. That is why my Browning 86 SRC is cut off 3"s or so. Exact same length as a 20" barreled 94 carbine. Greatest loss for me is the sight radius being shorter. I have 3 94s with 26" barrels and really appreciate the longer sight radius they have.
M. M. Wright, Sheriff, Green county Arkansas (1860)
Currently living my eternal life.
NRA Life
SASS
ITSASS
Currently living my eternal life.
NRA Life
SASS
ITSASS
Re: Long vs Short Barrel
My Favorite Rifle has a 6 1/2" barrel. I have shot a lot of deer with it and never noticed any difference between it with a good hit and the longer rifles, even though velocity is quite a bit less.t.r. wrote: ↑Fri Jul 06, 2018 2:12 pm Although I occasionally hunt with the long barreled Marlin, I generally reach for my Mossberg when going on a wild hog hunt here in Florida. This is the model 464 featuring a 16 inch barrel and Marine-coat finish. Handling is superb for me! I know that there is a velocity loss factor but have not detected any difference in killing power or accuracy from the shorter barrel. However it is noticeably louder when a round is touched off.
TR
-
- Senior Levergunner
- Posts: 1044
- Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:12 pm
- Location: Bushwhacker Capitol, Missouri
Re: Long vs Short Barrel
It has been noted that 26 inch barrels do not seem to be a hindrance in the grouse and woodcock thickets.
- marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 6451
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:40 pm
- Location: Oregon
Re: Long vs Short Barrel
I like long barrels because I shoot iron sights, and long barrels give me a longer sighting radius. Velocity doesn't matter for my uses.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/