Barrel Length versus Velocity - 444 and 45-70 included...!

[AJMD429]

MatchGradeMachine makes excellent Encore barrels, and I thought their selection of these six cartridges to do the experiment on was interesting. I would expect the last four to be essentially the same in that platform.

• 6.5mm Creedmoor
  280 Remington Ackley Improved
  444 Marlin
  450 Bushmaster
  460 Smith & Wesson Magnum
  45-70 Government

http://matchgrademachine.com/velocity-t ... r-barrels/

[Grizz]

well, I skipped down to 45/70 of course. I can't agree with the writer's characterization of 325gr being standard and 405gr being heavy for caliber.

I think 405gr was the standardized standard for a long time, and I consider 325gr light for caliber.

what do you all think?

also, slowing a 405gr bullet to 1700+fps is still a ridiculously potent load. my 425gr load at the same velocity range is a stomper, and I would hesitate to load a guide gun any hotter.

so, a thirteen inch barrel is more than enough I suppose. but the more interesting information would be the trajectories. or, what range extension does the longer barrel provide over the shorter one?

my 525gr load exited Blaine's 10 inch barrel at around 1300+fps, and that actually is a pile driver.

I'm interested in the rest of y'alls take on the topic.

good find Doc

[AJMD429]

I was just happy to see that the 444 Marlin was included as one of "six of our most demanded Encore barrels"...

I always thought it would be a nice Ruger No.1 cartridge.

[M. M. Wright]

Very interesting. Not as much loss as I thought. Did you notice the erratic velocity drop on some of those high intensity cartridges. Velocity losing then gaining after the barrel was cut off?

[Blaine]

well, I skipped down to 45/70 of course. I can't agree with the writer's characterization of 325gr being standard and 405gr being heavy for caliber.

I think 405gr was the standardized standard for a long time, and I consider 325gr light for caliber.

what do you all think?

also, slowing a 405gr bullet to 1700+fps is still a ridiculously potent load. my 425gr load at the same velocity range is a stomper, and I would hesitate to load a guide gun any hotter.

so, a thirteen inch barrel is more than enough I suppose. but the more interesting information would be the trajectories. or, what range extension does the longer barrel provide over the shorter one?

my 525gr load exited Blaine's 10 inch barrel at around 1300+fps, and that actually is a pile driver.

I'm interested in the rest of y'alls take on the topic.

good find Doc

I'm REALLY stupid for letting that 10" BFR go....what a hoot that was. And, yes...that 525 Pile driver was not a painful round to shoot out of a YUGE revolver.

[Grizz]

I noticed that too. Do you remember a similar article about slicing a 22LR barrel an inch at a time? It also had interesting info, but don't recall the effect you noted.

It kind of reinforces my hunch that some crazy fast tiny bullets need longer barrels and crazy slow big fat bullets don't. I know that between my 22" Marlin and my buffalo classic's 32" barrel the velocity is decreasing on my lower pressure 525gr load.