A .260 Rem, where maxium velocity reaches diminishing returns? This would be for a medium weight sporter, 22" or 24" or 26"? What would you choose?

If you are asking at what length barrel does the bullet actually start to slow down, it happens when the pressure times the cross sectional area (Force creating motion) is less than the force of friction between the rifling and the bullet.

Is that what you are asking??????? roger

I would not worry about it. Just get the gun you want. Some figure about 20 to 25 fps per inch and thats not much.

I had a 260 with a 22" tube and it was a nice handy length. Then there is the old 264 here with the 26" barrel. I suppose you have to get a long barrel on a 264! That one is not handy.

Well 308Sako, I can't give you any hard data on this because I never tested the 260-rem for barrel length v velocity gain or loss.

But I did do some testing on the 6mm Rem years ago and found that a 22 inch barrel was the faster by 230 fps than a 26 inch and 140 feet faster than a 24 inch barrel. This test was preformed on the same barrel.

Note we stopped chopping at 19 1/2 inch's and velocity was about 300 fps under the speed of the 22-inch barrel.

One more note, much of the lost velocity was retrieved by loading a little faster burning power.

Taking this data from 6mm Rem test, and applying it to the 260-rem, one could assume that the larger bore on the 260-rem and similar case capacity would also make the 22 inch barrel the faster barrel on the 260-rem using medium to medium slow burning rate powers. Faster burning rate powers would most likely produce even faster velocity in the 22 inch tube.

Here is one link I found showing the difference between a 24 inch Barrel and a 20 inch barrel in 260-rem.
Note the data I see there almost mirrors, as for as loss or gain what I found with the 6 mil years ago. And the results are very close as for as loss or gained velocity v Barrel length.

24 inch Barrel v 20 inch barrel in 260-rem

Personally I wouldn't go any longer than 24 inches or any shorter than 22 inches.

Just for comparison sake I'm getting 2750 with 120 gr out of a 15" barrel (XP 100). I'd say a 22" will give you a good balance of velocity, manuverability and stability. If you're thinking about weight have a look at the Kimber Montana. Mine (in 7/08) weighs just 6.5 scoped, loaded with 5 plus sling....and 22" barrel.

quote:

Originally posted by ChoPPeR:
But I did do some testing on the 6mm Rem years ago and found that a 22 inch barrel was the faster by 230 fps than a 26 inch and 140 feet faster than a 24 inch barrel. This test was preformed on the same barrel.

I just find this super hard to believe roger

Gentlemen, Thank you for the advice/help with my cogitations. The processing rate is definately slowing, so a little nudge in the right direction is appreciated. I can see that a 22" or 23" barrel will be all that I require and a 22" for the additional stiffness in the shorter barrel may win out this time. Bartsche, my question would be accurately answered by friction winning out, but I think that I tried to relate it to practical field lengths. Chopper great link, I do appreciate the info.

I have three 260's one finished at 26" another at 24" and another finished at 23" a Krieger
1 in 8 twist barrels. The 24" barrel is the fastest barrel of the three with all bullet weights from 85 gr. to 140 grain bullets. Averaging 30 fps faster than the 26" and the 23" barrel is slower than the 26" barrel by about 15 fps.
With the 260 Rem. I believe the individual barrel is more of a factor than the lenght with in reason. I have seen the same thing with the 260 A.I. Mine has a 26" Douglas and my buddies 260 A.I. has a 28" Krieger. His 28" barrel averages less than 10fps faster than my 26" barrel.

PaPa 260...May I be half the man my grandsons think I am.

I'd personally prefer a 24" barrel in the .260Rem. but doubt very much if you'll find it. Most rifles in the caliber have 22" barrels which isn't bad. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

For hunting I would choose the shorter one because it is easier to maneuver. The little bit of velocity difference is worthless trivia to talk about. I have 7mm08 with a 20" tube pushing a 140 TSX at 2830. It is not typical for it to do this well. There are more variables to bullet speed than just barrel length. Type of bullet, powder, chamber cut with an old reamer or new one.
I have a friend that loves his 260 with 130TSX.
Have fun shooting it.

just get the barrel length that you like...the one that handles best for you...some folks like long barrels and some (like me) like shorter ones.

For a 260 Rem I'd like a 20-22" barrel max. 18" wouldn't bother me either. The key is what is your likes and dislikes...go with that and forget the performance issue...if performance is all that critical get a bigger case....something like a 6.5-284 or 6.5-06.

The .260 Rem is a spectacular cartridge regardless of barrel length...20-26 inches won't make or break this cartridge in the least.

Like vapodog said, except I would go for the longer barrel. I just happen to like those better. I have the mauser in 6.5x55 with the 29 inch barrel and it shoots like a dream, I also have the 700 classic in the same caliber and it also shoots well. Can't remember the length on the 700 though.