Can anyone tell me what kind of velocity loss I can expect if I reduce the length of a .375 H&H barrel from 26" to 22"? It is my basic understanding that due to the size of the bore, the velocity loss on a .375 should be less per inch than a smaller magnum diameter. Thanks

With "standard 300gr load" it can be about 90fps I think. Say not more than 100fps.

It means about 7% energy loss.
Jiri

I think the general rule is (faster powders make this less) 25 fps per inch from 2500 fps to 3000 fps, 30 fps per inch from 3000 fps to 3500 fps

chuck375: Yes, and as barrel goes shorter and shorter, the loss per inch goes higher and higher . . .

Jiri

As a general rule for rifle barrels, once you have 19 to 20 inches in barrel length, an inch of barrel is worth an average 20 to 25 feet per second in muzzle velocity. So you lose 20 - 25fps for each inch of barrel removed, or gain in the same region for each in added (by rebarrelling to a longer barrel).

My 21" 375H&H gives 2400fps with loads somewhat below maximum, extremely handy and I have recovered only 2 out of 15 solids fired at elephant, giraffe and buffalo. One was fired as back-up through a tree at buff and the other was oblique frontal brain on ellie that penetrated the hard bone of the atlanto-occipital joint. At H&H velocity levels a loss of 100fps or so is insignificant.

Especially when you are throwing 300 gr. bullets. I wouldn't concern myself with it.

Thanks for the helpful responses. The 26 inch barrel is very long when you get into thick stuff. 22" or so would make the gun a lot nicer to handle and it sounds like you all use barrels of that length with great results. Thanks again.

Whoa there! That dog don't hunt anymore, and I have to challange anyone that tells me a 20 or 22 inch barrel is better in the "thick stuff"..

Why? because you never know where the chunk of "thick stuff is going to be" it may be 15 inches out there, but frankly I have hunted the thickest of thick with all barrel length and never felt ill at ease with any of them..I do prefer the 25 or 26 inch 375 barrel as it give me a better sight picture with irons, and it holds steady off hand under all conditions and I shoot it better than the fwts. The difference is about the size of my pocket knife!

As too velocity, it makes no difference as the .375 seems to kill as well at 2500 FPS as it does at 2600 plus FPS, maybe better..so velocity loss is of no consequence.

If I decide on a short tube then I'll always use a heavier barrel to keep the weight out front, I want a rifle to be barrel heavy..not balanced at the front action screw..

The old time muzzle loader guys, The early Africans and the English knew a thing or two about those long barreled guns IMO...The fwt. and snub noses came along when man became domesticated and sat watching TV and making up these gems of wisdom up, and when gun writters ran out of information to scribe, thus the short tubed bolt gun came about.

The carbine has one place IMO, and thats in a saddle scabbard hunting horseback, and to me its convienent. I like my 22 inch barrel Savage 99F .308 for that purpose, and for everyday carry a mod. 94 25-35 has been my choice..so there you have it