Barrel length for a .257 Roberts
I am planning on building a rifle in .257 Roberts and would like to know what barrel length would be optimal.
I thought a 24" barrel would be best but one local gunsmith said he would not go longer than 21" and another said he would recommend 23".
The first one is not a very experienced smith and does more stock work than barrel work and the second does more repairs but has rebarreled some rifles.
You folks have probably more, been there and done that, experience than either of them.
It will have a 1-10" twist and will be a blued barrel. I am unsure of the brand I will go with, but it probably be either a Lilja or Shilen on a Remington 700 action.
Thanks in advance.
257
You're a statistic whether you want to be or not.
I thought a 24" barrel would be best but one local gunsmith said he would not go longer than 21" and another said he would recommend 23".
The first one is not a very experienced smith and does more stock work than barrel work and the second does more repairs but has rebarreled some rifles.
You folks have probably more, been there and done that, experience than either of them.
It will have a 1-10" twist and will be a blued barrel. I am unsure of the brand I will go with, but it probably be either a Lilja or Shilen on a Remington 700 action.
Thanks in advance.
257
You're a statistic whether you want to be or not.
0
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257,
your inquiry as to optimum barrel length does not tell us your intended use for this new rifle. if you want a bench rest "bull" barrel, the answer as to length would be different than light sporter "mountain" contour. plainly there is no "one size fits all" in rifle barrels.
the two 'smiths you talked to are probably giving you their best advice. no doubt their personal use of a 257 roberts would be different so the barrel length they see as ideal also is different.
BEWARE of those that try to influence your choice to match what they have for sale!
look at the production rifles & the most popular barrel length is 24 inches. if one size fits all purposes then 24" is probably it, but you say you are building a custom so you must have a specific use in mind.
long (26 or 28 inches) best for maximum velocity & range as in open country hunting for antelope & prairie dogs
short (18 to 20 inches) lighter for long hikes & mountain country.
light contour "pencil" barrels do not work well in really long lengths due to excessive barrel whip. that said, start a little longer than you think you may need, shortening is an option, lengthing is not.
"all I really need to know I learned in kindergarten" Robert Fulghum
anyone who says "nobody needs a full auto" has never been in front of a brown bear charge0 -
cussedemgun,
You are correct. I am planning on using it for general all around use. I want something to shoot targets but also something I can shoot at these big Kansas whitetails. I would also like to use it for coyotes, antelope or mulies.
I don't want a super heavy gun but I do want something that does not have much recoil as my son has shown an interest in hunting and said he wants to shoot it some.
I will be shooting 100 grain bullets.
257
You're a statistic whether you want to be or not.0 -
When I think of a 257, I see it in a small ring mauser, or other light weight action, with a 18-21" barrel and slim trim stock.
My border collie is smarter than your honor student.0 -
I figure that one inch of barrel is approximately 25fps of bullet velosity. Sometimes this is even right, but bore dia and powder burn rates will affect this. The classic barrel for anything with an 06 case capasity or smaller is 22" in like a #2 contour. For rifle with a dedicated purpose you can justify going 2" or so either way, but for a general purpose plink'n, varmint and light big game a 22" barrel should be just fine. I'd be looking to hold the completed rifle, with scope, to about 7.25lbs total. 0 -
22" [8D] [^] 0 -
WHY NOT PUT YOUR QUESTION / REQUEST ON THE WANT LIST YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED WHAT YOU GET 0 -
Something to think about. Why not go 24" barrel, .625" at the muzzle, and fluted. That way you might be able to keep the weight down without sacrificing any velocity and have a fairly stiff barrel too. If you handload you also might consider the .257 Roberts ackley improved which will give you almost .25-06 velocity without burning as much powder. You could also use standard .257 roberts ammo in the rifle but would suffer 150 to 200 fps. velocity and probably have to re-sight also. You get .257 roberts ackley improved cases by the simple expedient of firing standard .257 roberts ammunition in the rifle and you have a fire formed case. Just a thought to chew on. 0 -
I'd go 22-24",..somewhere in there. I have 20" barrels and prefer them for close in woods work,..I have 30" tubes for long range work,..and for a good all around carry gun length and manuverability 22-24" will catch it.
why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
Got Balistics?0 -
I have the factory standard 24" on my Mdl 70 257; & 21.5" on my custom FN 257 Ackley. I don't see a great deal of difference in the additional two inches, but the longer barrel is attached to a rifle that's about 2 pounds heavier, so the handling is much different. In choosing your barrel length I'd say the handling characteristics that you want would outweigh any ballistic advantage/disadvantage. 0 -
I reload for the .257 in two different configurations and I would say that a minimum for the caliber is 22" but I prefer a 24" to maximize velocity potential. It's about the best all-around barrel and twist combo (you mentioned a 1-10") for everything from the 60 gr. all the way up to custom 130's. You will have to load the 130's a little hot to get them to stabilize properly as they would prefer a 1-9". Also another reply mention not to go long with a pencil barrel. That is good advice. I would stay with a heavy sporter profile unless all you did was target. -Good luck
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