I have a 700 bdl in 8rem that I want to rebarrel. I'm currently at 24 inches. How much velocity can I pick-up by going to 26 or 28 inches? Is it worth it?
Jack

I don't know how much velocity would be gained, but if there was ever a cartridge that could benefit from a 26" barrel, the 8mm Remington is it (along with the 264 Winchester). There is a lot of powder in a relatively small bore, so some extra time in the barrel would be of use.

I'd be hesitant to go with a 28", even though some more velocity could be gained, because that is too unwieldy for my taste.

yoU GET QUITE A LOT OF BENEFIT FOR GOING WITH A LONGER BARREL.

heres my take on it. I have a bdl and its one of my favorite guns. Its a 24 inch gun and will push a 200 partition to 3000fps or maybe a bit more. Ive yet to seen any animal walk away from it. I cant see giving up the handiness of it as is to go with a longer barrel. I dont really believe any increase in speed is going to help you to any degree in the field.

All of the above is correct. Tale your pick of the advantaqges and drawbacks.

Hello Jack,

My 8x68S rifle has a 750mm ( 29,5") long barrel. It was specialy build on my request to hunt in Namibia desert. With 200 grains factory loads I reach 3100 fps and with handloads 3150 fps, which is both far above (150-200fps) what you can get out of a 24" barrel in this caliber.
I assume that the 8mm Remington with its sligly larger case will give you the same benefit. However only a few bullets stand the inpact velocity at short ranges, for which is of course not build.
Robert

Depends on what you are going to us it for. If you are building a rifle to carry arond the mountains a lot stay with the 24. if you are going to use it in stsnd or semi stand hunting a long barrel well give you a bit of extra vel.

Take your pick a bit handier of a bit more vel.

Buffalo I have a Rem 700,8mm mag with a stock 24 in barrel. I have had very good sucess with 200 gr X and TSX bullets.I also have a Brno 602 in 8x68 with a 25 1/2 in barrel. The 8x68 will do anything the Rem can do. If I was to re-barrel my Reminton it would be with a 26 in barrel. In my opinion anything longer makes it clumsy to carry around. My 2 cents.

My 8x60S has a 25" barrel. That extra inch seems to steady the gun, gives a better swing, and keeps the "bang" an inch further away from my ear!

Go long. If you don't like it you can cut it off. Can't add it on though can you!