Barrel Length for a Little Boomer

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13 October 2006, 02:24

mstarling

Barrel Length for a Little Boomer

Guys,

I have a .458 AR budget build underway. The action is a Parker-Hale commercial Mauser with a Bold trigger. Hoping to use VZ 24 bottom metal. Going to try to make the quarter rib and front sight band. Will put a 2.5x Leupold compact or [heresy!!!] a Holosight on it as well as irons.

Fellas at Douglas are going to true the action, build me a barrel and fit it.

Leads to the question ... how about barrel length? I hunted Buf in the tall grass with a 25" CZ550 in .416 Rigby and it was a bit awkward. Would rather have had a shorter rifle.

Is 22" reasonable for a boomer? What is likely to be the max velocity achievable here? Maybe 2250 fps?

Thanks for your thoughts,

13 October 2006, 02:31

jeffeosso

Mike,
the two currently working at 21 and 26, with a 24 and a 23 in teh works (within the next couple weeks)...

all of the velocities are from the 21" barrel.. and, funny enough, it's a parker hale take off

Mike Detorre convinced me (cut the @#$@#$ thing off, jeffe, you'll see) that a 23" is "verry nice, you'lll LIKKKE" (in a creepy boraht voice)

jeffe

opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club

Information on Ammoguide about
the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR
What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR.
476AR,
http://www.weaponsmith.com

13 October 2006, 02:59

boom stick

i wanted a 22" for the 470 a.r. but got talked into the 24" cuzz i want 500@2400fps. good luck

13 October 2006, 04:11

retreever

Mike,

I think a 21 inch would give you 2100fps.
That is plenty of crushing power...Since it is a close working gun it sould handle very quickly...

Mike

13 October 2006, 04:26

jnc91

I'm getting 2260 out of a 21 inch barreled Watts with Hornady factory Lott ammo. The gun is perfectly balanced and handles like a fine english shotgun. Go for it.
Jeff Collins

The true measure of a hunters skill is not the size of the trophy but rather the length of the shot with the greater measure of skill being the shorter shot---Jeff Cooper

13 October 2006, 04:39

dirklawyer

For handling purposes the shorter barrel length is far better than getting an extra 50-100 fps. If it is a 458 caliber IMO 21-22 inches, if it's a 416 caliber IMO 22-23 inches. The animal will never know you shortened the barrel but walking around thick cover all day and taking the shot in that kinda stuff you will know that you shortened the barrel.

13 October 2006, 06:56

jeffeosso

guys...
i am getting 2350+ out of 21" with hornady 500gr.....

jeffe

13 October 2006, 07:54

mstarling

Jeffe,

How does your 21" gun mount and swing?

What does it weigh? (That Fajens stock is LIGHT!)

15 October 2006, 00:19

Canuck

My 416T has a 23" barrel. It is my FAVORITE barrel length for big bore.

Cheers,
Canuck

15 October 2006, 01:43

RIP

quote:
Originally posted by Canuck:
My 416T has a 23" barrel. It is my FAVORITE barrel length for big bore.

Cheers,
Canuck

Ditto. 23" gets my vote for handiness, balance, and aesthetics.

I do not like them any shorter on a bolt action.