Is Longer More Accurate

[big napper 3,648]

could any one tell me for deffinate, would a longer barrel make for a more accurate shot at a longer distance, i have a falcon 12", am thinking of getting a falcon 19", or would they be the same if they are both doing the same ftlb. thanks all.

[paulus 26]

have a read here mate, its full bore rifles but the principle is the same, read the comment on accuaracy at the bottom of the test results http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/features/136776/How_important_is_the_barrel_length_of_a_rifle.html

[big napper 3,648]

cheers for that paulus, i think that ment there should be no difference in power due to barrel length, is that right, i read too much and got lost. cheers

[paulus 26]

cheers for that paulus, i think that ment there should be no difference in power due to barrel length, is that right, i read too much and got lost. cheers

it says the loss of power is insignificant to the advantage in weight loss but the noise increases, this would be rectifiable with the addition of a mod and the accuracy remained the same on the understanding the shortening and recrowning were done correctly, however this is just a guide as the velocities are far far higher than an air rifle

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

i read somewhere a barrel as short as 8 inches can still be as accurate as any. as long as its threaded and crowened properly then why not eh?

[ghillies 209]

takes more air to get the same velosity/power on a karbine.

 

longer holds distance better..

 

as long as its crowned and tuned properly for the barrel riffling and legnth.

[andyfr1968 772]

takes more air to get the same velosity/power on a karbine.

 

longer holds distance better..

 

as long as its crowned and tuned properly for the barrel riffling and legnth.

 

Just to pick you up on the first point here and I'm only talking about springers as I know feck all about PCPs.

 

The acceleration to the pellet happens within the first five or six inches of the barrel on most guns especially UK spec sub 12. So long as the barrel has properly gripped the head of the pellet upon loading then that's good.

 

The air blast will blow the skirt to size pretty much before the pellet's even begun to move down the barrel so at the low velocities that we shoot with the projectile's had plenty of time to sort it's shit out before it's left the end of the barrel.

 

When I used to do this crap for a living, I regularly cut barrels down to around eight inches and like you say, so long as they're crowned correctly then there's no loss of accuracy.

[ghillies 209]

 

takes more air to get the same velosity/power on a karbine.

 

longer holds distance better..

 

as long as its crowned and tuned properly for the barrel riffling and legnth.

 

Just to pick you up on the first point here and I'm only talking about springers as I know feck all about PCPs.

 

The acceleration to the pellet happens within the first five or six inches of the barrel on most guns especially UK spec sub 12. So long as the barrel has properly gripped the head of the pellet upon loading then that's good.

 

The air blast will blow the skirt to size pretty much before the pellet's even begun to move down the barrel so at the low velocities that we shoot with the projectile's had plenty of time to sort it's shit out before it's left the end of the barrel.

 

When I used to do this crap for a living, I regularly cut barrels down to around eight inches and like you say, so long as they're crowned correctly then there's no loss of accuracy.

 

 

hmm springers? deffo longer barrels..to pull on, beyond that i would'nt go less than a HW any way.(unless given lol).

Edited February 20, 2013 by ghillies

[Tron 173]

Andyfri is correct, some of the Theoben springers had very short barrels 8inch if I remember but fitted with their own moderators to ease cocking. Pre charged rifles are more efficient with longer barrels. Springers, as pointed out as long as it has the muzzle and crown done correctly and running at the same FPS as a longer barrelled then there is no differance in accuracy or range. If you believe you need a longer barrel to hit the target then you just have to step further forward (JOKE)

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

quote andy "sort its shit out" haha made me laugh

[pianoman 3,589]

Andy's post describes very well the effects of air charged into a rifle pellet propelling it down the barrel. it rests mainly with the efficiency of the pellet to grip onto the accurate lands of the rifling in the first instants of firing along 5-8 inches of barrel, that counts. As Andy says, the time it sorts its shit out!

Air rifle and pellet makers have achieved a very sweet and efficient marriage of pellet weights and barrel accuracies within cosmetically appealing barrel lengths this last thirty years and more. Rather than specific lengths scientifically evolved and arrived at. If it were otherwise, I'd think all air rifle barrels would be made to just one optimum length for optimal efficiency.

Hence, with springers at least....

I have a short barreled TX200HC .177 that is incredibly accurate to 65 metres as a max hunting range

 

I have a medium barreled HW77 .22 that is incredibly accurate to 65 metres as a max hunting range.

 

I have a long barreled HW80 .22 FAC that is incredibly accurate up to and in excess of 65 metres.

 

We'll see what the shorter barreled HW97KT .177 is like once it's tuned up by Andy. But it will be incredibly accurate to these maximums I'm absolutely certain.

So, in my experience with air rifles is, it's not the length of the barrel that counts but how well made, crowned and finished it is. Or am I missing something? I'm thinking of why Theoben issue their Rapid 7 FAC with longer barrels?

Simon/pianoman

Edited February 20, 2013 by pianoman

[andyfr1968 772]

Simon. Thank you for expanding upon my rather brief phrase of 'sort it's shit out' with regards to a projectile stabalising itself within the barrel.

 

You put it in a much more eloquent and descriptive way than I could.

Edited February 20, 2013 by andyfr1968

[pianoman 3,589]

There is a whole load of stuff I know from my service days about ignition pressures in cartridges and the effect of barrel lengths with cartridge rounds Andy. But I've edited it all out as it really has little relavance here.

 

There is a good reason why FAC PCPs employ longer barrel lengths but in all honesty, I cannot see a 30+Ft/lb charge of air creating the type of gas-vacuum ignition pressures inside the barrel that an explosive cartridge produces in its breech and uses to propel itself through the air.

 

Simon

[pianoman 3,589]

Propel the bullet I should say!

[big napper 3,648]

thanks for that everyone, i think i have my answer and i will just keep what i have and not bother getting a longer barreled rifle, great information there cheers.