which length?

Question:
I just got a Remington XCR in 7mm Rem mag and the barell length is 26 inch and after lookin at remingtons web site they have the XCR II length is 24 inch. So why would Remington change the length? Also what length do you prefer in a 7mm Rem mag?

Choices:
24 inch
26 inch

 

There's no practical advantage to a 26" barrel in a 7 mm RM, I've done quite well with a 24" barrel for over 20 years.

I voted 24 only because there wasn't a 22" choice!

Just a question. If 26 or 24 inches is too long, and 22-20 inches is ideal, is 18 inches too short?

quote:

Originally posted by MickinColo:
Just a question. If 26 or 24 inches is too long, and 22-20 inches is ideal, is 18 inches too short?

For me, 22" is too short. I prefer 24" at least. My Mk x is 24" while my Model 70 is 26". I really like the model 70 when I don't have to carry it quite as much or I'm not trekking through quite as much brush.

My model 70 gets nearly 100 fps more than the Mk X. I suspect it has more the barrel itself than the length though. The little bit of extra weight makes the model 70 a bit more stable thus increasing its range more than what the fps increase alone would indicate.

24" Barrel would be my pref.

If you do not get at least a 24-inch barrel, then buy a lesser caliber. You need the barrel length to take advantage of the magnum cartridge. And yes, there is a difference in a 26-inch barrel if you are looking for all the velocity that you can wring out of a magnum. A short barrel on a magnum is good for nothing but muzzle blast. If you want a 22 or 20-inch barrel, then buy a .280 or 7-08.

quote:

Originally posted by sbhooper:
If you do not get at least a 24-inch barrel, then buy a lesser caliber. You need the barrel length to take advantage of the magnum cartridge. And yes, there is a difference in a 26-inch barrel if you are looking for all the velocity that you can wring out of a magnum. A short barrel on a magnum is good for nothing but muzzle blast. If you want a 22 or 20-inch barrel, then buy a .280 or 7-08.

+1. If I was building a 7mm carbine, I'd go with a 7mm-08.

quote:

Originally posted by Tom S:
which length?

I have a 24" barrel, think I'd probably get a little more velocity from a 26" barrel. On the sage flats, velocity is worth more than compactness.

Of course I voted 26" but that's because you didn't offer other options.

T/C Pro Hunter in 28" 7mm Rem. Mag.; now that's a concept - it eaks what you'd probably really prefer outa this cartridge!

I've never hunted in PA.
Out here in the open country, I'd opt for the 26" barrel.

quote:

Originally posted by sbhooper:
If you do not get at least a 24-inch barrel, then buy a lesser caliber. You need the barrel length to take advantage of the magnum cartridge. And yes, there is a difference in a 26-inch barrel if you are looking for all the velocity that you can wring out of a magnum. A short barrel on a magnum is good for nothing but muzzle blast. If you want a 22 or 20-inch barrel, then buy a .280 or 7-08.

With ya here. Kills mw when I see a 22" 300 mag as well. You want short go 18-20" with 7-08 or 308. Or even 20" 06!! Defeats purpose of the mag.

24 minimum, but like 26 for open country.

It depends a lot on what you want the rifle for. I have a 7 mm Mag with a 20" barrel, and one with a 24". Both are very accurate and the difference in velocity isn't much, about 100 fps depending on the load. I prefer the 20" barrel......Tom

Tapper, What velocities are you getting with what bullet in the short barrel? I still think that you can have as good of velocity with a standard caliber in a short barrel and do it for less powder.

Its a short magnum round so I would opt for a 26 inch barrel ands get what its claim to fame is, if I wanted a short light simular rifle then I would opt for 22" .270 WCF fwt..

quote:

Originally posted by Gerry:
Of course I voted 26" but that's because you didn't offer other options.

T/C Pro Hunter in 28" 7mm Rem. Mag.; now that's a concept - it eaks what you'd probably really prefer outa this cartridge!

With a magnum cartridge you'd be silly not to have a longer barrel to get any extra velocity potential!!

quote:

Originally posted by BISCUT:

quote:

Originally posted by sbhooper:
If you do not get at least a 24-inch barrel, then buy a lesser caliber. You need the barrel length to take advantage of the magnum cartridge. And yes, there is a difference in a 26-inch barrel if you are looking for all the velocity that you can wring out of a magnum. A short barrel on a magnum is good for nothing but muzzle blast. If you want a 22 or 20-inch barrel, then buy a .280 or 7-08.

With ya here. Kills mw when I see a 22" 300 mag as well. You want short go 18-20" with 7-08 or 308. Or even 20" 06!! Defeats purpose of the mag.

My 7mm RM is sporting a 26" tube and I like it and wouldn't shorten it. On the other hand I dearly love my .338WM with it's 22" tube, and can't see it as a disadvantage. Nate

The reason that the magnums are all sporting 26" barrels is because they offer a bit more velocity and thats what the public wants. Check out the poll results.

Why have all that power if your going to sell yourself short in the barrel.

The current trend is to cut barrels shorter. The problem with trends is they tend to go to the extremes before fading away. The question should be what length barrel devides carbine from rifle.

If I wanted a 7mm in a short barrel, it would be a 7 x 57.
Just my .02 $ cdn

quote:

Originally posted by kjjm4:

quote:

Originally posted by sbhooper:
If you do not get at least a 24-inch barrel, then buy a lesser caliber. You need the barrel length to take advantage of the magnum cartridge. And yes, there is a difference in a 26-inch barrel if you are looking for all the velocity that you can wring out of a magnum. A short barrel on a magnum is good for nothing but muzzle blast. If you want a 22 or 20-inch barrel, then buy a .280 or 7-08.

+1. If I was building a 7mm carbine, I'd go with a 7mm-08.