Hi guys I'm after a bit of advice on a DGR I plan to build . Is 22" too short for a 458 lott or one of the various 416's . I may put a Vais muzzle break on this rifle so I'd like to keep it ot 24" maximum finished length. Also which would be better the lott or perhaps the 416 taylor or Rem.
thanks for any help you can offer .
Guesty.

The 458 lott I had was 21 1/2" long. The 500 Jeffrey I'm having built is 25", and the replacement lott will be 23".

I don't see there being any "better length". 22" is good, and 25" is good, it just depends on what you prefer. I you absolutely, positely have to see 2300+ fps on your chrono, then I'd say stick with 24-25" My lott was essentially 20" with a 1 1/2" brake, and 2280 fps was the highest I recorded with 500 gr hornady softs lows were ~2260, so lets call it an honest 2250 fps.

Guesty I think 22" is fine, individual preference plays a big role here. I am having a .585 Nyatti built and am opting for a 24" with 3" of break for 27" finished. My .416 Rigby has a 25 1/2" barrel and I like that to. I think 24" finished for your Lott sounds pretty good.

Guesty,

If you are not sure, make the barrel longer as you can always have it cut back later.

As to caliber, if the gun is to be used to "play around" then I would take 458 Lott over a 416 bore size because of all those 45/70 type bullets that are available.

Mike

FWIW- I'm a firm believer in having as much barrel length as possible. You typically get 30-50 fps/inch, the gun weighs more ( this is good in a Big Bore), your ears are farther away from the muzzel blast, and a muzzel heavy gun simply "hangs" better when you shoot it offhand. I still like the .450 Ackley better than the Lott ( but not by much) and both cartridges are more interesting than anything in .416( except the Rigby of course). I have two .450 ackleys( I think they are 26 inchers,( but with the muzzel brakes machined in.) and a 500 gr bullet at an honest 2400 fps is an incredible recipe for success on dangerous game IMHO-Rob

I agree with Mike you can always shorten a barrel if you feel it is too long. Not to mention the extra velocity you get with a longer barrel.