Barrel Length for custom Mauser in .25-06
I've been ogling some custom Mausers in .25-06. I was told by an "advisor" that I need to make sure any .25-06 I buy has a barrel length of 25" or greater to ensure total powder burn. I'm looking at one that has a 24" barrel but I'm concerned about optimizing the cartrige's potential. Any advice or ideas on the issue?
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You should have no problem at all using a 24" barrel in a 25/06.....
Of course a longer barrel with give you more velocity, but I doubt that 2 inches less barrel will amount to more than 100 fps difference.
I shoot a 16 inch 25/284 a lot and shooting over snow covered ground has never shown any unburnt powder that I have noticed.
Shoot your 24" 25/06 and don't worry about it.
Gun control is hitting what your aiming at.0 -
90% of all 25-06s ever built have probably been 24". The 06 case just isn't that big. Sure I can see needing 26" for a magnum case to get max burn, but lots of 7mmMags and 300mags, both normal and short, are built every year on 24" barrels. All the reloading manuals that I own give reloading specs for 24" barreled 25-06s. If you were to commision a custom 25-06, especially a single shot like a Ruger #1, then 25" would be a decision to ponder. If, however, you have found a used custom that calls to you then you should go for it. 0 -
I consider 26" to be short, but that is an opinion. 24" would be the absolute shortest I would use, but would lean on a 26". I really prefer 28"-34" in a custom, but maybe you aren't looking for the longer shots with heavier bullets, so those latter lengths would prove to be a bit much in that case. If you are using slow powders and heavy bullets, I strongly suggest the longer 26" tube.
why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
Got Balistics?0 -
idsman,
This is one of those topics guaranteed to generate a long list of opinions, some informed, some not...
There are basic facts that can be accepted without ruffling any feathers or creating hard feelings amongst our peers.
The most basic understanding of interior ballistics is that each powder has a burning rate and burning characteristics assigned to it derived through laboratory testing. The variables of the rifle and cartridge demonstrate what we perceive as a change to the powder's characteristics, showing up in the performance on a target. But the powder doesn't really change, just the rifle and the cartridge do.
The length of a barrel yields two functions. The longer barrels allow for the use of a greater number of powders that work efficiently with the cartridge/bullet combination. The shorter the barrel, the fewer the number of powders that will work efficiently. It's as simple as that.
This holds true even for the 16" barrel that is mentioned above. Across the range of bullets weights for the .25 caliber, there is only one or maybe two powders that will perform efficiently with each weight range. The load volume also goes down to allow for correct pressure as well as complete burning. In some cases it falls as low as 80% of the total volume which doesn't usually allow for best consistancy and performance. But if you lengthen the barrel to 24" then you expand the list to possibly 5 or more powders each and better load density. The longer barrel gives the reloader more flexibility to find the best powder for that particular rifle.
The second function deals with longevity or barrel life. Shorter barrels do not allow for the pressure and therefore the temperature of the plasma to drop to the lower levels of a longer barrel. The higher temperatures create more wear on the shorter barrels for more of the length, thereby shortening the life of that barrel. Simple.
The answer to the question of how long does the barrel need to be is resolved by how much flexibility you desire for reloading. More flexibility, more length. Less flexibility, less length. These functions are modified by each different cartridge and bullet combination.
If you like the Mauser buy it and get busy enjoying it!
Best.0 -
I've used both 22 &24 and there's not much diff. You can't tell the difference unless you shoot over a chrony. Accuracy is a factor of the individual barrel and length won't change that. In fact, a shorter barrel will be stiffer than a longer barrel of the same contour.
Mobuck<BR>0
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