Rifle barrel length

[digger]

Please enlighten me, my boss has just returned from a riflecraft course where he was able to hit a target ( paper, not live ) at a tad over 800 yds. He showed me his rifle, a .308 in black with a mag that was stored into the stock and a very expensive scope ( schmitt and bender ? ).

Does a short barrel make for precise bullet placement at close range and a longer one do the same at long / extreme range ?

[Subsonic Flyer]

The barrel length is more associated with velocity than accuracy. With larger cartridges that contain more powder if the barrel is to short all of the powder is not burnt before the bullet leaves the barrel. This means maximum velocity is not achieved. High velocity is an advantage at longer ranges as it reduces the effects of wind and drop on the bullet. For a .308 26" is considered optimum barrel length but this will vary according to the bullet type and weight you use. If the barrel is to long the bullet reaches maximum velocity and then for the remainder of its travel in the barrel it is slowing down.

 

Heavy barrels (larger diameter) generally provide greater accuracy than standard barrels. This is because barrels flex as the bullet travels through them and the larger the barrel diameter the stiffer it is causing less flex. This is why most target/Long range shooters use heavy/varmint barrels. Heavy barrels add a considerable amount of weight to a rifle this also helps with reducing recoil but if you are a stalker this means more to carry hence why most sporting guns are fitted with standard barrels. Hope this helps.

SF