07 March 2003, 12:52
WildcatterBP velocity differences in short and long barrels
I was interested if anyone here has chronographed similar loads in varied barrel length rifles. What would the velocity difference be between, say a 16" barreled and a 36" barreled 50 cal. rifle shooting conicals? I wondered if BP was anything like fast burning smokeless in that more barrel length may not equal more velocity. A 9mm rifle w/ 18" barrel does 1200fps and the same load does 1100+ in a freinds 4" pistol.
BTW, whoever was loading smokeless in a BP gun needs to re-evaluate the value of their personal well-being. That is one of the more dangerous things I have ever heard about in reguards to the shooting sports.
Thanks for the info,
...Catter
10 March 2003, 06:37
<eldeguello>As a general rule, more barrel length will, to some extent, increase muzzle velocity. But probably not as much as one might expect. Take a look at the Lyman Black Powder Handbook. It shows comparative chronographed MV's for a variety of bullets in barrels of various lengths. In some cases, they started with a bullet, a given powder charge, a particular barrel, and kept chronographing the same load as the barrel was reduced in length.... pretty revealing!!
10 March 2003, 11:51
<Bruz>Unless you are shooting a Savage ML!
15 March 2003, 13:55
DigitalDanRandy, The Savage inline is intended for smokeless powder, IMR4198 as I recall.
15 March 2003, 14:55
WolfhoundYeah, but should smokeless be discussed in a "blackpowder" forum? I understand why BP substitutes are discused, they have a similar performance envelope. They are measured volumetricly the same as blackpowder. I didn't mean to start anything here with my first post, but I had to speak up.
15 March 2003, 15:23
RandyWakemanWell understood, Dan.
That's why it has no place in blackpowder hunting, or in any blackpowder forum. Shame on Savage!