Myth of Barrel Length and Velocity

[David Lapell]

The Myth of Barrel Length and Velocity Loss - Gun News at Guns.com

[old doc]

Another good one. Thanks.

[MOONDAWG]

There are too many variables involved in this historical debate to make blanket statements in stone.

I've seen 3" .38's chronograph higher velocities than 4" or 5" guns of the same model.

The best we can do is make "general" statements concerning "all things being equal".

I do like his comment about deer not noticing a 100 FPS difference when being shot.

The same argument can be made about "minute of felon" street performance with +P vs. tried and proven standard velocity loads.

Personally I feel the whole "+P" thing is a marketing ploy to sell more ammo to the uninitiated.

But, I can understand that "Maketing" is what sells; just look at the recent "Zombie" moniker being applied to guns and ammo to boost sales amongst the "Video Gamer" generation.

[USAMP]

Another good one. Thanks.

+1 thanks Dave.

[jimg11]

Good point David,
Once I finally was able to buy a Chronograph I started out to do what I had wanted to do forever. I would try various factory rounds in guns with various barrel lengths to see just what it was costing to shoot with a shorter barrel length gun. So I picked a couple guns in each barrel length that I had in 38pecial / 357 Magnum. I had 6.5, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.5, and 2" guns in 357 and or 38 Special. Starting with the 6.5 and loading and firing with progressively shorter barreled guns it soon became clear that there was no clearly defined drop of velocity per inch. It seemed to me that the variations in champers and the varations between the rounds them selves was more than the varaitions od the shorter barrels.

[USAMP]

It sure would be nice if we spent more time with bullet placement than the other stuff.....

[Injunbro]

This could be your best article ever, David. I think the longer barrel/more velocity thing came from the black powder days. At any rate it's been proven several times over that accuracy & velocity have very little to do w/ barrel length.

[Dalan]

David,

Best yet. No more long barrel envy with my short 7.5 inch Super Redhawk!

[19and41]

Another very good article. All will read the article. Some will read it and take the information to heart then remember it when considering a firearm. Others will read it, remember it for awhile and then return to the good ol' magic of hearsay research and the barroom bet. Here is a case where a well informed person can save some money.

[LeMat]

Always wondered about this. Felt that I was in the minority when voicing my opinion that it sounded a bit like bunk, but what do I know? I figured there could be some loss as it only seemed to make sense, but that's also been ingrained into a lot of us over the years. Guess that's how urban myths stay alive.

Can see many a heated argument getting going over this.