Optimun barrel length for 280 Rem
I am buying an encore barrel so weight is not an issue
they come in 24,26 & 28in lengths
thanks
they come in 24,26 & 28in lengths
thanks
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28 in. will get you the most velocity. Between 24" and 26" there isn't a whole lot of difference in manueverability so I would go with the 26". 28" is a little long so if you go into thick stuff a shorter barrel would be better. Personally, I like the velocity, so the 28" would suit my purposes the best. 0 -
The 28" in an Encore is the length of a 24" in a bolt gun.
Get it.
CP0 -
I'd go with the 24" and get the benefit of the shorter overall length. The 24" is plenty for a standard .280. 0 -
Depends what you want it for...But if you are deer/elk hunting etc...A 22" will do the job and is easy to carry. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mobuck
I'd go with the 24" and get the benefit of the shorter overall length. The 24" is plenty for a standard .280.
+1.
I think for ordinary hunting the advantage of shorter length outweighs the minimal ballistic advantage of a longer barrel.
EDIT:
For what its worth, you can figure a gain/loss of roughly 50-75 FPS in muzzle velocity per inch of barrel.
Muzzle velocity of a .280 Remington will depend on the exact load used of course, but you can ball-park this at about 3000 fps for a mid-weight 150 grain load. (Some representative numbers here: http://www.cpcartridge.com/280B.htm ).
In other words, the difference between a 24 and 28" bbl is likely to amount to less than 10% of muzzle velocity.
You're unlikely to gain accuracy from a longer barrel, and in fact, you might see the converse.
Again, this comes down to a tradeoff between a slightly flatter trajectory and slightly greater killing power at LONG ranges from a longer barrel, vs a gun with a shorter barrel that is a little easier to tote around and store. Shorter barrels also tend to be a little louder to the shooter, though I don't think this by itself is a big factor.
It comes down to what you are going to use the gun for. If you think its likely you are going to be out in the open and regularly taking shots at 250 yards+ then you'd want the longer barrel.
But I think in practice most hunters rarely (if ever) shoot out that far, hence my abbreviated comment above.0 -
Odawgp,
Without a fairly complete discussion of the factors involved in this decision based on the choice of what you want to do with this rifle, it's hard to make a definitive answer that makes sense. What you end up with is a dichotomy of answers based on which folks like short barrels and who likes longer barrels. Most don't even understand or have a background in the ballistics that are involved, in order to make a good answer. If it goes bang and the intended target falls dead, they're happy. To a certain extent, that's fine, just not informed.
The most important factor is what you intend to use the barrel for, followed by your choice of doing your own reloading or buying factory ammunition. Longer barrels often allow for a greater selection of powder and bullet combinations.
Factory length barrels are based on economy of manufacturing and compromise, having little to do with efficient ballistics. Factory ammunition is made from the same standpoint, although that is changing for the better in the last couple of years. But even considering these points, there is no disputing the fact that factory rifles using factory ammunition have been used to fill many a hunter's tag.
In general, given the selection of factory ammunition, longer distance shots and the case capacity/shape, I would opt for the longer 28" on a T/C or Ruger #1. If treestands are in your future or VERY dense woods, a slightly shorter barrel might provide some degree of comfort but very little in reality. It's a mind set not a solution to an actual problem.
Best.0 -
Along the lines of what most here, including myself, have said, shorter is going to be easier in thick vegetation. The real joy of an Encore is the fact you can shoot it in pistol or rifle configuration. That opens up a whole new can of worms regarding legality. But a 7mm-08 or .280 Rem in an Encore pistol is going to be a lot easier to maneuver through thick woods.
Two issues here:
1.) You are going to give up a lot of velocity. Obviously, the shorter case is going to be the more efficient here but the bigger case will still provide more velocity. Either will kill big game animals efficiently. Just as the proponents of the 22" barrel have stated. $.03-$.06 of powder used or not used isn't going to make a difference if just hunting.
2.) If you went this route you would have to get used to a much different firearm than your rifle. This isn't to say pistols can't kill, there is just a lot more potential for movement that causes misses when shooting. There are several positions unique to handgun hunting that will help you steady your aim.
The reason I suggest getting a longer barrel and going with higher velocity is as nn stated mostly (entirely) personal preference. I come from the West where typical shots are not closer than 200 yds. I've killed deer as far as 400 yds. Gophers @ nearly 500. So my choice tends to go with long barrels and better velocity. Again, this is not to say that a 22" barrel won't do the job. It will. And, it can do it at long range too. But, for most normal hunting ranges you won't see a difference. Now with an Encore pistol you can still easily find yourself reaching out to 500 yds. The only way you are going to make that shot is to practice that shot. It can be done. {Edit: With less velocity of the shorter barrel you really need to know your drops to a "T". The slower round will rise and drop out of the kill zone in a lot shorter distance than will a high velocity bullet.
So let's get cracking bright and early tomorrow at the range and start practicing.[}:)][:D] Well at least as soon as you've made your decision.
-Hope that helps some more.[;)]0 -
"$.03-$.06 of powder used or not used isn't going to make a difference if just hunting."
It's good to finally know that years of testing, lab work, thousands of rounds fired under laboratory and real world conditions along with the commensurate thousands of pages of notes and data and thousands of dollars in expenses to accomplish this testing can be so nonchalantly reduced to this simple statement.
Best.0 -
quote:Originally posted by nononsense
"$.03-$.06 of powder used or not used isn't going to make a difference if just hunting."
It's good to finally know that years of testing, lab work, thousands of rounds fired under laboratory and real world conditions along with the commensurate thousands of pages of notes and data and thousands of dollars in expenses to accomplish this testing can be so nonchalantly reduced to this simple statement.
Best.
It was a sad, yet amazing day, when I came to that revelation.
It's not nonchalance. It's simply accepting the fact that not everyone is into finding the exact extreme of performance of two cases/barrel lengths being compared when the quarry is well within the performance parameters of both.
Honestly, to you and I, those pennies saved or used make a difference with every shot we take. They do for me. And, I'm not a betting man but I'd lay 100-1 odds they do for you as well.[8D] But, for the average hunter? No. For most, it boils down to getting one in the 'boiler room'. Followed by a second if he gets up. Or moves like he's going to.
The question begs, "How far are you going to shoot whatever it is you're going to shoot, with it?" When that gets answered, it gives a much better direction to an answer. In the meantime, anything from a 14" barrel to a 28" barrel could work. My opinion comes from hunting out West where I've seen game at over a mile and got to within 600 yds for the closest shot. Many here hunt in the East where typical shots are 50 yds. 100 at the outside. It drives me nuts to hunt the rifle zone here in MN where I usually get to see all of 100 yds. When down in the southern part of the State, where it's shotgun only, there are 500-600 yd. shots all over the place. But you do with what you've got and the answer to hunting the South end of this state is to handgun hunt. That way you can get your hundreds of yards range, but not have a rifle. That's why I suggested it. In many cases, the $.03-$.06 of powder used or saved isn't going to make a difference. And, I'm sure you know, as I do, that at 800 yds. it dang sure will.0 -
sandwarrior,
That makes my point perfectly. It's not about the money or cost of the load or the savings in contriving the load. But this is what folks tend to attribute to any discussion of efficiency; lower cost, and that's not the point at all. But if that's all that can be understood, so be it. Trying to add to the knowledge base and improve our understanding of the smaller components of our chosen shooting pursuits is what these forums are supposed to be about.
In reality, the smaller the hole at the front of the 30-06 parent case, the slower the powder required and the longer the barrel should be to accommodate that slower powder. However, a case can be made for the shorter barrels so long as the shooter is willing to put up with lesser performance.
The positive aspects of carrying a shorter barrel eludes me just like the often debated 'How light can I make my rifle?' A rifle with a long barrel can be carried virtually anywhere that the shooter wants to make the effort. It has never stopped me and I've been hunting in some of the most obnoxious undergrowth, swamps and thick woods found in the U.S.
For Odawgp, pick a length, buy the barrel and go enjoy the hunting and shooting.
Best.0
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