I know longer barrels add to your FPS.

My question is 2 parts.

1. How many FPS per inch do you loose on average?

2. How does barrel length affect max load pressure? Does a longer barrel with the same load have higher pressure or is it affected?

1. Hard to pin that down to a rule of thumb. And to get technical I'd say it depends on the expansion ration of a particular cartridge. For example a cartridge with a low expansion ratio like a 7mm STW stands to lose more velocity from a two inch barrel reduction than a something like a .458 Lott where two inches probably won't amount to much reduction in velocity. But if you want a number I can randomly say you'll lose an average of 30 fps per inch of barrel reduction..


2. No

I've found 10 to 20 FPS to be about right per inch of barrel but 30 FPS is not unlikely.

Barrel length and all else being equal will have zero effect on the peak pressure a cartridge generates. you will how ever have a longer pressure curve though

Dad's 7mm is 24 1/2" long & my 264 Win Mag is just over 26". You wouldn't think the extra 1 1/2 would be much of an issue in the field, but I find it somewhat clumsy & awkward compared to Dad's 7mm, especially going through light bush.

1 1/2" shorter on a 264 Win Mag shouldn't make much difference?

I doubt it's the barrel. but that could be a balance issue. The fit of the stock is more likely the cause of the one rifle feeling clumsy compared to the other.
Stock fit to the shooter is something that is quite often over looked. and in this day and age of off the shelf one size fits all rifles. The stocks are built to fit about 75% of the general population but may not fit you.
Then there's balance. if the rifle is weight forward it will feel big and clumsy and slow to shoulder but if it's balanced correctly it will feel like it has a magnet in the but and your shoulder is a steel plate. it will just naturally point well. I bet you if you laid the rifles side by side and checked the drop at the heal, comb, and length of pull you will find some difference and they may only be a 1/2" or so but that is enough to feel wrong or right.

I have a single shot rifle that just points perfect but my wing master 870 shot gun feels like it has a lead weight attached to the end of the barrel. Those to are balanced differently And I need to correct the wingmaster.

I think you mis-understood me. The rifle fits me fine, no issues in that respect.

I am referring to maneuverability you gain with less inches. The shorter barrel is nicer for simple stupid things. Getting in & out of the truck without jamming the barrel somewhere. Walks through light bush & not getting hung up. I use a boonie packer sling & that extra length on the barrel although be it small sometimes can be a pain.

Being the FPS is minor in a shorter barrel, I'm considering knocking an 1 1/2 off of it, but that is not written in stone.

Here is the 264.



Here is the 7mm

26 inch barrels are definitely a pain in the woods(another place as well LOL). It is unreal how many more things you bang, clunk, and get tangled in! I'll take a 21.5" or 22" 30-06 anyday over a 26" 300 H&H in the woods! 24" guns aren't too bad.