barrel length vs velocity in the 45 Colt/Casull

01 October 2012, 04:31

low_tech

Just recently got a Super Redhawk in 454/45Colt.
7.5 in barrel. Shot it some this weekend with some 454 and 45LC ammo, I like it a lot.

the following questions are for 300-350 gr/45+P and 454 Casull loads:

I have been looking around for reference for velocity loss/ barrel length information. Right now it looks like velocity in a 5.5 barrel is around 80 f/s less than the same load in a 7.5 inch barrel.
Is this about right?

7.5 inches is too long for comfortable carry for me, I would like to go with a cross draw rig.
Where is the sweet spot for barrel length?

where dose velocity start dropping off at a higher f/s rate? 5 inches? 4.5 inches? I would like to get it down to 4 inches if I can, what sort of velocity loss can I expect? How much louderr is 4 inches over 7.5? The 454 load I shot today is very loud, I was wearing standard ear plugs, but the blast was noticeable.

This will be my backup gun for hunting/fishing trips in AK and MT, where ever I might need to shoot a predator in self defense. (Carried much more than fired)

01 October 2012, 05:09

Woodrow S

If it is a backup gun for hunting/fishing trips for protection the Ruger Alaskan in the same caliber ( or the .480 ) would have been the cats ass. No barrel cutting/reinstalling sights to mess with. I have one in the .480 and it is awesome. 30-40 fps loss per inch of barrel is about right. A short barrel will have a bit more muzzle blast than the long barrels....but the handy short barrel makes up for it.

01 October 2012, 05:33

low_tech

Woodrow:

I have around 300 bucks to go on getting my stock SRH the way I want it, before I get to what it would cost me for a Ruger Alaskan in 454 right now.

about what should it cost me to get 3 inches off my stock barrel, slab side the remaining barrel, and reinstall the sights?

01 October 2012, 06:36

tek4260

Here is a pic with 44 and 45 velocities in 4 5/8

The same loads shot from 7.5" barrels the same day

01 October 2012, 07:24

Sagebrush Burns

I have chronographed an awful lot of 45 Colt ammunition using revolvers of different barrel lengths (4.75", 5.5", 7.5", 10")with identical loads. The results have convinced me that barrel to barrel and gun to gun variations can account for as much velocity variation as differences in barrel length.

01 October 2012, 08:07

low_tech

Sagebrush Burns

love your handle.
if barrels have more variability then length, then what the heck, cut them to whatever length you desire, and be happy.

Question: ever notice this with Ruger Super RedHawk Barrels?

01 October 2012, 13:26

jwp475

quote:
Originally posted by Sagebrush Burns:
I have chronographed an awful lot of 45 Colt ammunition using revolvers of different barrel lengths (4.75", 5.5", 7.5", 10")with identical loads. The results have convinced me that barrel to barrel and gun to gun variations can account for as much velocity variation as differences in barrel length.

Spot on.... I also have chrono'ed enough to know that the variations from gun to gun, barrel to barrel have more variation than length.

I have seen the same load on the same day chrono faster in a shorter barrel revolver than the longer barreled revovler.

Just pick to barrel lenght that you want and go with it and don't look back

_____________________________________________________

A 9mm may expand to a larger diameter, but a 45 ain't going to shrink

Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
- Winston Churchill

02 October 2012, 04:25

RPW

quote:
Originally posted by jwp475:
quote:
Originally posted by Sagebrush Burns:
I have chronographed an awful lot of 45 Colt ammunition using revolvers of different barrel lengths (4.75", 5.5", 7.5", 10")with identical loads. The results have convinced me that barrel to barrel and gun to gun variations can account for as much velocity variation as differences in barrel length.
sound advice jwp.

Spot on.... I also have chrono'ed enough to know that the variations from gun to gun, barrel to barrel have more variation than length.

I have seen the same load on the same day chrono faster in a shorter barrel revolver than the longer barreled revovler.

Just pick to barrel lenght that you want and go with it and don't look back