22" or 24" on .458 WM?

09 April 2007, 21:36

I have located a couple of .458 WM in Model 70. One has a 22" factory barrel, the other has a 24" factory barrel. Is there any appreciable difference in handling or performance with this barrel length?

thanks

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09 April 2007, 22:29

SAFARIKID

I agree,the difference in velocity/power is Negliglble!Go with the shorter barrel if everything else is all equall on these two guns...I pay good money to chop mine shorter!Much handier too!

"That's not a knife..THIS is a KNIFE" !

09 April 2007, 23:05

Nickudu

Personal preferences aside, a 24" tube is not required to efficiently burn the powder of any .458 Winchester loading, however, if there is any possibility of coversion to .458 Lott in view, the selection of the 24" may be to one's advantage, from a number of perspectives.

10 April 2007, 02:28

Con

When I had a 458WM, its factory 24" barrel got cut to 22". Chronographing my favourite 350gr Hornady load showed it picked up 30fps after shortening

. If I build another, it'll more than likely have a 20" barrel.
Cheers...
Con

10 April 2007, 02:34

Will

I was getting 2150 fps with 500 gr. bullets using Hornady's Varget load, in a 22" M70. The spec velocity!

Who would know the effect of any difference in fps anyway?

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10 April 2007, 04:59

tsturm

quote:
Originally posted by buckeyeshooter:
Heck, I think the longer one balances better-- never had a problem in the brush with a 24 incher. I'd go 24.

Mine is 22"