20" 21" 22" 24" etc.
I am playing with the idea of building one...I already bought Sierras GameKing's in 140 gr
L

If you're loading to the original specifications , ~ 140 @ 2750, then a 24" barrel would be nice .In the USA factory loads have been greatly reduced so you could go down to 20". With the original loading it makes a very fine deer rifle .I used mine for 25 years and it always performed very well !!

Thanks mete

Lorenzo,

Digging deeper into your new rifle build, what will you be doing with the rifle? Will you be huniting heavy forests, or open country? Will you be using it primarily from a seated hunting position, or carrying long distances over the country side?
For a carrying rifle, I like shorter barrels, but for hunting from a blind, I prefer longer barrels. As an examole, I have two 257 Roberts rifles, one with a 26 inch barrel, and one with a 21 in barrel. I use the one with the 26 inch barrel for hunting from a seated blind, and the shorter barreled rifle is my carrying rifle.
Something to think about.

Don

I can tell you I was amazed at how fast some 120's got downrange out of the 29" Mauser 96, but my 24" only clocked them around 2800 or so and 21" just over 2700. Not bad, but 23-24 is what I'd want if building a 6.5x55, as a minimum. My 6.5/308 wore 23" and I loved it, but would not have complained if 24 or 25. These small bores thrive on slow powder and in a small bore lower expansion ration round, they benefit more with more inches. Handling preference and needs are a big variable, but all equal, the longer will perform better and quieter. In a single shot a 26" would still be handy in sporter contour, a 24 or so would be likely my pick in a bolt.

On game to 300 yd or so, it would not matter, even if you came down to 20-22. Shot placement will get it done.

22-inch would be perfect

IMO, 22 - 26. Any shorter you lose too much performance; any longer is not practical for most hunting situations.

Classic cartridges demand classic barrel lengths: 28".

For a hunting rifle to 250 yds. 20" is adequate. If the energy level falls a bit short with 20" go to a bigger rifle. roger

I have a 243 and a 308 both with 17" barrels; I also have a 6.5x55 which retains it's 23" barrel. To propel the sierra 140g I use 44.6g of vv n160....good tool for red deer!

I'm getting over 3,000'/sec with 120 grain bullets in a 21" barrel.....VZ-24 and no pressure signs at all!

my 96 and 21" did just over 2800 w/corelokt 120s but it had a 'restrictive' 7.5" twist, think vapodog has 9. Eases pressures.