I would hope that all experienced hunters plan for the conditions, but shouldn't those plans be based upon their OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCES?????

What good would my experiences hunting here in Texas do you, and how would yours hunting in the mountains help me?

You asked why some people like short barrels...I told you why. Obviously different hunting conditions and locations require different plans. For someone that was just curious you sure have a strong opinion Obviously rifles can cross over just fine but for extensive use under one set of circumstances...a purpose built rifle kind of makes sense. No?

Talking about someone having a strong opinion, have you looked in a mirror lately.

The point you are missing is that I am just curious why some hunters/shooters prefer short barreled rifles, while other really do not care and I prefer long barreled rifles, For My OWN Use!

At no point have I said shorter barrels do not work, I just happen to like the looks and handling qualities of longer barrels, 24 to 26 inch.

I have a 1915 sporterized Norwegian Krag with a 19 1/2 inch barrel, I don't use it often but it has killed a good bit of game for me.

I have a 1907 Winchester Self Loader in .351 caliber with a 20 inch barrel and have killed game with it.

My wife's model 77 Ruger in .257 has a 22 inch barrel, I have no problem killing game with it.

I simply PREFER rifles with longer barrels for my personal use. I do not really care what length barrel a person wants on their rifles, my question was and is merely out of curiosity concerning some individuals preference for shorter barreled rifles.

Not sure why you have a problem with that, because in reality if something is working for someone and they are satisfied with the4 results they are getting, I am happy for them!

I have zero problem with your choice.....Not sure why you think I did. I'm all about rifles best suited for a job. You asked a question and I answered. I'm out.

I apologize if I offended you. I never implied that long barreled rifles were better, simply curious as to the allure of short barreled rifles in general.

I understand the concepts that in some conditions a shorter barreled rifle would be/could be an advantage, but I also understand that some folks simply like the looks of a more compact rifle, while some, and I am one like the looks and handling of a longer barreled rifle and have conditioned themselves to compensate for the differences in handling the longer barreled gun dictates.

Well just to back away a little from what for some reason has become a tense subject I learned something with a rifle I bought not long ago for my wife.

She has had a .270 in a Remington 700 BDL for a long time. She shoots it very well. But one thing she never cared for was the weight. So I went looking for a replacement for her.

I was thinking about one of the new Winchester m70 compacts but could never seem to actually find one for sale. While browsing the local gun shop I found a Remington model 660 in .308. I always liked those little guns with their 20 inch barrel so I bought it. I actually intended it for me however.

When I got home from I happened to show it to her. As soon as she had it in her hands she thanked me for buying her a new gun. She said she liked the balance much better than her .270.

A while back I read an article somewhere about guns for woman and kids. One of the things mentioned was generally they like a gun that's not only lighter but also shorter. "Her" new model 660 is certainly all of that. She shoots it as well as her old rifle so I guess I can't complain much, I did tell her I would help find something.

Bottom line is many of us have preferences regarding barrel length for all kinds of reasons often just personal but in some cases shorter really is better. Woman for the most part don't have the arm strength so a gun that is not only light but balances more in the hands is a better option.

The example you gave concerning your wife is exactly why I bought my wife the Model 77 Ruger Ultra Lite in .257 with a 20 inch barrel, it is easier for her to handle, more comfortable her to shoot and therefore she does a good job shooting it.

I think the reason discussions such as this get a little intense is simply due to the passion each of us have concerning our personal feelings toward the subject. We all have our opinions/beliefs based on what we have found works for us as an individual, and possibly/probably works for close acquaintances that we hunt or shoot with. Nothing wrong with that.

The best time to ask me that question and why is just before I leave the house to go hunting, same with caliber, barrel length or type of action..I like those long barreled bolt guns, and the same ones with a carbine barrel as well. Same with my lever guns, love to hunt with my 26: mod. 94 octagon barrel .30-30 but love my original trapper 30-30 as well and they both shoot well..In black powder I have a 32 inch Lyman PG and I also have a 24 inch round barrel 58 cal. Buffalo hunter that's very light and short..I can even apply that to shotguns and pistols...

Bottom line is I have never been forced to make a decision, I just make those decisions for no particular reason at all, and that ain't gonna change.

Short barrels!!
For me it was somewhat of an indoctrination.
The first introduction was when I was issued an M2 carbine.
next I acquired a 6.5 Carcano carbine which I sporterized over a 5 year period and killed a number of mule deer.
During this period Ruger came out with their 44 Mag. semi auto carbine which as a young gun nut I thought was a great idea for hunting deer and black bear back East.
All this lead me to think about designing a series of wild cats using 06 or .308 brass to equal or exceed 30-30 energy levels with 16" barrels. This gave birth to my (7mm., 7.62 mm., .358 , and.375 )X 41mm.series cartridges.
In my inflamed mind I could envision how great these would be with short bolt action, slide action ,lever action and of course semi-autos. Finally in 1982 I built one each with 16" bull barrels Three with Mod. 98s and one with a Rem. mod. 600.
They did just as I suspected and with a premium as pointed bullets could be used that somewhat extended their effective range over the 30-30.
An interesting result came about when I stared loading 35 cal. gas checked bullets. A 35 cal. 300 grain bullet could be easily pushed
at 2200 FPS. equaling the 30-06 energy level.

Recently I mounted a 24" 7.62 barrel on a Stevens mod. 200. That added about 140 FPS. over the 16" barrel, possibly extending its effective rang another 75 yd. or so.

A little side note: I also built, around 1967, a 6mm X.270 IMP. with a 30" Douglas barrel.

To answer the question, it depends on how the mood moves you I guess.
Usually I'm not so windy!! roger

Interesting discussion. For me it's less about barrel length and more about OAL and handling, given the type of hunt.

On my first safari I packed a Pre64 70 in 300 H&H. We did a lot of spot and stalk and that thing was really difficult to manage when we took to the bush. It also weighed some 10# with five rounds. By the end of the day my shoulders, arms and wrists were pretty tired.

I knew then, as much as I loved that rifle it had to go.

My next safari I packed a Merkler K1 in 7RM. It weighed 6.5# all up with a round in the chamber. Even though it bears a 24" barrel, it was nearly 5" shorter overall compared to the M70. What an absolute dream it was in the brush and to carry all day.

In a hunting blind in Texas where a long shot is 200 yards, I really like my heavy barreled 308 with a 20" tube. The weight is nice to steady against and it's plenty of gun. I'm also very fond of my .257 Roberts which also sports a 20" bbl.

I suppose I should also mention that I'm 5'8" and not really getting any taller. Very long barreled rifles just don't quite feel right to me.

Personally, I consider 20-22" to be just about right for a short action bolt rifle. There's nothing wrong with longer, I just don't think they really fit me or the way I like to hunt.

Now, if I was doing the whole long range thing, well, maybe a 13# 28" toober makes perfect sense.

Anyway, shorter and handier for me please.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
I'd like to know why some folks are enamored with long barrels.....The velocity gains are purely emotional and not at all noticed in the field.

Muzzle blast.

quote:

Muzzle blast.

Good Answer.

I have hunted with rifles with barrels from 18" to 26", in thick stuff and open and have never, never had a problem. Some folks tend to over think stuff.

Writing about magnums, I was in the 21"-23" category for a few years but now all my future magnums will be attached with 26" barrels.

quote:

I have hunted with rifles with barrels from 18" to 26", in thick stuff and open and have never, never had a problem. Some folks tend to over think stuff.

Plus One.

I've got barrels from 20 to 30". Favorite is 26-27". I'll tolerate 24, and really start resenting them
22". 30 always seemed a bit much except for dedicated long range guns; but after trying one in carbon fibre I'm rethinking that.