Velocity by Barrel Length of Various Calibers - Revision history

Admin: /* .38 Special */

2023-02-02T15:16:55Z

.38 Special

Admin at 05:50, 19 January 2023

2023-01-19T05:50:01Z

Admin at 05:48, 19 January 2023

2023-01-19T05:48:06Z

Admin at 06:02, 12 August 2022

2022-08-12T06:02:02Z

Admin: /* Best Barrel Length For .22 Long Rifle */

2022-05-01T10:56:22Z

Best Barrel Length For .22 Long Rifle

Admin: /* Why Does Barrel Length Affect Velocity? */

2022-05-01T10:55:19Z

Why Does Barrel Length Affect Velocity?

Admin: /* .22 Long Rifle */

2022-05-01T10:54:28Z

.22 Long Rifle

Admin: /* .300 Blackout */

2021-08-31T05:19:51Z

.300 Blackout

Admin: /* .300 Blackout */

2021-08-30T06:33:52Z

.300 Blackout

Admin at 05:02, 30 August 2021

2021-08-30T05:02:24Z

@@ Line 421: / Line 421: @@
 == [[.38 Special]] ==
-Velocity by barrel length data for the '''.38 Special''' - Sourced from [http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/38special.html Ballistics by the Inch].
+Velocity by barrel length data for the '''[[.38 Special]]''' - Sourced from [http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/38special.html Ballistics by the Inch].
 {| class="wikitable"
@@ Line 504: / Line 504: @@
 |2" || 928 || 904 || 911 || 1050 || 949 || 858 || 919 || 914
 |}
 == [[.380 ACP]] ==

@@ Line 195: / Line 195: @@
 |}
-== Best Barrel Length For 5.56 NATO ==
+=== Best Barrel Length For 5.56 NATO ===
-=== For Subsonic Loads ===
+==== For Subsonic Loads ====
 Many will advise against bothering with subsonic loads using heavier bullets in a 5.56 firearm and instead opt for an AR-15 chambered in .300 Blackout, since it will have better muzzle energy due to much heavier bullets at the same velocities. Still, a typical 16" barrel with 1-in-7 twist rate (for heavier bullets) and a suppressor of your choosing should work acceptably well overall and still retain a lot more energy than a .22 LR. Likewise, a handier barrel in the 10-inch range and a typical 6-7" suppressor should also be a good setup for a pistol or SBR build. As if often the case, it depends what the user is looking for. But overall, for an optimal AR-15 type rifle with suppressor, 5.56 should ''not'' be your first option unless you want it for fun or will also be shooting standard velocity ammo and so on.
-=== For Maximum Velocity ===
+==== For Maximum Velocity & Range ====
 For maximum velocity with 5.56x45mm NATO, a 20-inch barrel will give the most velocity possible out of a common barrel length rifle. For best accuracy, a heavy / bull barrel is preferred. Theoretically, a 22-inch barrel would be the best combination between somewhat manageable maneuverability and maximum velocity, but it's a non-standard length. Anything longer is even more non-standard, and has diminishing returns, though still does offer velocity advantage. But excessive barrel lengths like this should probably only ever be considered if you plan on shooting at 1,000 yards with a dedicated benchrest setup, which is also uncommon. For most applications, an 18" heavy barrel will still offer velocity advantage over a typical 16" barrel and plenty of accuracy. Consider that this is the basic setup of the U.S. military's former Mk 12 Mod 0 "SPR" (Special Purpose Rifle), which was said to have an effective range up to 700 meters.
@@ Line 207: / Line 207: @@
 '''Note:''' If you're looking for absolute maximum range from something like an AR-15 platform, it may be worth considering cartridges like the [[6.5 Grendel]], [[.224 Valkyrie]], and others. The [[6mm ARC]] seems to have impressive potential from our understanding. Also consider the lesser-known [[.277 Wolverine]], which is a bridge between the .223/5.56 and .300 Blackout, and uses the same .223/5.56 cases to load with.
-=== Best Overall Barrel Length for 5.56 NATO ===
+==== Best Overall Barrel Length for 5.56 NATO ====
 Best barrel length for 5.56mm (and .223 Remington) depends on your use case. For an overall great rifle, there's nothing wrong with the most popular barrel length of 16 inches. It doesn't have any major disadvantages in velocity and is still overall quite maneuverable. For a pistol or SBR setup, if trying to maintain decent velocity and maneuverability, anything less than a barrel in the 10-inch range seems like a hard sell because velocity begins to drop heavily. When using a silencer / suppressor, also be sure to keep in mind that many manufacturers have a minimum barrel length for requirement for their warranties, which is often (but not always) about 10 inches or above in the case of common 5.56mm suppressors. Also consider that longer barrels will work better with a suppressor. As a result, most who want a suppressor may want to opt for a barrel in the 10 inch range, which works out if you want a pistol-type setup for use with ''and'' without a suppressor. Since many silencers are in the 6" to 7" range, this gives a similar length to a typical 16" barrel AR-15, and also give some velocity advantage over an unsuppressed 10 inch barrel.

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:48, 19 January 2023
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	\|}		\|}

		+
		+	== [[5.56x45mm NATO]] ==
		+
		+	Velocity by barrel length for '''5.56x45mm NATO''' cartridge. Information is primarily from RifleShooter.com. We'll also discuss best barrel length for something like an AR-15 pistol as well as "SPR" / DMR-type setup below, to help you to better navigate various typical barrel length offerings.
		+
		+	{\| class="wikitable"
		+	\|-
		+	! Barrel Length !! Federal XM193 (55 gr. FMJ) !! Winchester M855 (62 gr. Penetrator)
		+	\|-
		+	\| 26" \|\| 3431 fps \|\| 3280 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 25" \|\| 3426 fps \|\| 3229 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 24" \|\| 3409 fps \|\| 3188 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 23" \|\| 3350 fps \|\| 3169 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 22" \|\| 3366 fps \|\| 3158 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 21" \|\| 3305 fps \|\| 3117 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 20" \|\| 3306 fps \|\| 3097 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 19" \|\| 3259 fps \|\| 3060 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 18" \|\| 3202 fps \|\| 3052 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 17" \|\| 3151 fps \|\| 2972 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 16.5" \|\| 3187 fps \|\| 2992 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 14" \|\| 3039 fps \|\| 2808 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 13" \|\| 2974 fps \|\| 2694 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 12" \|\| 2919 fps \|\| 2646 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 11" \|\| 2834 fps \|\| 2579 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 10" \|\| 2767 fps \|\| 2489 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 9" \|\| 2662 fps \|\| 2403 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 8" \|\| 2520 fps \|\| 2296 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 7" \|\| 2410 fps \|\| 2135 fps
		+	\|-
		+	\| 6" \|\| 2202 fps \|\| 1955 fps
		+	\|}
		+
		+	== Best Barrel Length For 5.56 NATO ==
		+
		+	=== For Subsonic Loads ===
		+
		+	Many will advise against bothering with subsonic loads using heavier bullets in a 5.56 firearm and instead opt for an AR-15 chambered in .300 Blackout, since it will have better muzzle energy due to much heavier bullets at the same velocities. Still, a typical 16" barrel with 1-in-7 twist rate (for heavier bullets) and a suppressor of your choosing should work acceptably well overall and still retain a lot more energy than a .22 LR. Likewise, a handier barrel in the 10-inch range and a typical 6-7" suppressor should also be a good setup for a pistol or SBR build. As if often the case, it depends what the user is looking for. But overall, for an optimal AR-15 type rifle with suppressor, 5.56 should ''not'' be your first option unless you want it for fun or will also be shooting standard velocity ammo and so on.
		+
		+	=== For Maximum Velocity ===
		+
		+	For maximum velocity with 5.56x45mm NATO, a 20-inch barrel will give the most velocity possible out of a common barrel length rifle. For best accuracy, a heavy / bull barrel is preferred. Theoretically, a 22-inch barrel would be the best combination between somewhat manageable maneuverability and maximum velocity, but it's a non-standard length. Anything longer is even more non-standard, and has diminishing returns, though still does offer velocity advantage. But excessive barrel lengths like this should probably only ever be considered if you plan on shooting at 1,000 yards with a dedicated benchrest setup, which is also uncommon. For most applications, an 18" heavy barrel will still offer velocity advantage over a typical 16" barrel and plenty of accuracy. Consider that this is the basic setup of the U.S. military's former Mk 12 Mod 0 "SPR" (Special Purpose Rifle), which was said to have an effective range up to 700 meters.
		+
		+	'''Note:''' If you're looking for absolute maximum range from something like an AR-15 platform, it may be worth considering cartridges like the [[6.5 Grendel]], [[.224 Valkyrie]], and others. The [[6mm ARC]] seems to have impressive potential from our understanding. Also consider the lesser-known [[.277 Wolverine]], which is a bridge between the .223/5.56 and .300 Blackout, and uses the same .223/5.56 cases to load with.
		+
		+	=== Best Overall Barrel Length for 5.56 NATO ===
		+
		+	Best barrel length for 5.56mm (and .223 Remington) depends on your use case. For an overall great rifle, there's nothing wrong with the most popular barrel length of 16 inches. It doesn't have any major disadvantages in velocity and is still overall quite maneuverable. For a pistol or SBR setup, if trying to maintain decent velocity and maneuverability, anything less than a barrel in the 10-inch range seems like a hard sell because velocity begins to drop heavily. When using a silencer / suppressor, also be sure to keep in mind that many manufacturers have a minimum barrel length for requirement for their warranties, which is often (but not always) about 10 inches or above in the case of common 5.56mm suppressors. Also consider that longer barrels will work better with a suppressor. As a result, most who want a suppressor may want to opt for a barrel in the 10 inch range, which works out if you want a pistol-type setup for use with ''and'' without a suppressor. Since many silencers are in the 6" to 7" range, this gives a similar length to a typical 16" barrel AR-15, and also give some velocity advantage over an unsuppressed 10 inch barrel.

	== [[.25 ACP ]] ==		== [[.25 ACP ]] ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:02, 12 August 2022
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	\|3" \|\| 1173 \|\| 1105 \|\| 1005 \|\| 1035 \|\| 1000 \|\| 1199 \|\| 1117 \|\| 1061 \|\| 1189 \|\| 1162 \|\| 1210 \|\| 1023		\|3" \|\| 1173 \|\| 1105 \|\| 1005 \|\| 1035 \|\| 1000 \|\| 1199 \|\| 1117 \|\| 1061 \|\| 1189 \|\| 1162 \|\| 1210 \|\| 1023
	\|}		\|}
		+
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@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 |}
-== Best Barrel Length For .22 Long Rifle ==
+=== Best Barrel Length For .22 Long Rifle ===
-=== For Subsonic Loads ===
+==== For Subsonic Loads ====
 For a heavy subsonic load like the Aguila Sniper Subsonic 60 gr., the loading doesn't gain ''too'' much velocity in anything more than an 8" barrel. For non subsonic loadings, it's important not to go so short as to make ''all'' .22 loadings subsonic, unless that's what you're looking for! Something like an AR-15 in the 8-inch barrel range, or Ruger's shorter 8" "Charger" 10/22's, pairing these with a 5" [[suppressor]] like the SilencerCo Sparrow leaves you with a suppressed firearm that is still 5 inches shorter than a more typical rifle setup at around 18" barrel length.
-=== For Maximum Velocity ===
+==== For Maximum Velocity ====
 If one were so inclined to squeeze every bit of velocity out of a .22LR firearm, an 18" barrel does an excellent job of taking ''full'' advantage of everything the round has to offer. Some manufacturers offer Ruger 10/22 barrels at 21 inches in length. But as an example, Volquartzen offers match-grade bull barrels in lengths like 16.5" as well. Keep in mind that according to the data above, velocity gains at longer than 16" barrel length were fairly negligible, so 16" appears to be more than enough overall. Still, most stock .22 rifles come with an 18" barrel, so don't worry too much. Any more length is up to you, but doesn't appear to be necessary for a .22LR firearm.
-=== Best Overall Barrel Length for .22 Long Rifle ===
+==== Best Overall Barrel Length for .22 Long Rifle ====
 The big question to ask is whether you plan on using a suppressor with your .22 Long Rifle firearm, and how long that suppressor is. If looking for a more average setup, a typical 18" barrel will give you ''everything'' the round has to offer, and it's not worth putting a ton of thought into it. If you want to get the vast majority of .22 Long Rifle performance in a short package, 8 or 10 inches like the lengths offered on the 10/22 Charger, will do well. But if you're absolutely planning to attach a suppressor, it appears that an 8" barrel is a great place to be. Remember that a suppressor will increase muzzle velocity somewhat. If going with something like a SilencerCo Sparrow, an 8" barrel with this 5" suppressor gives you a handy 13" effective barrel length, without leaving performance on the table. You could even go shorter, but the additional length of a suppressor probably won't fully make up for performance loss with a shorter barrel. Overall, if you could only pick one barrel length for ''any'' application (or multiple applications with the same firearm), something like an AR-15 pistol with an ~8" barrel will be great. For an average rifle setup, a typical stock 18" barrel is a no-stress decision. But if you must have ''every'' bit of velocity with a suppressed setup, 10" still leaves you with an overlength under 18" with almost all suppressor offerings. In that case, something like the Rugged Oculus with a potentially tiny length of only 3.25 inches could be an attractive option to keep the setup short.

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:55, 1 May 2022
Line 12:		Line 12:

	We'll note various barrel lengths and load data on various calibers, from various sources.		We'll note various barrel lengths and load data on various calibers, from various sources.
−

	== [[.22 Long Rifle]] ==		== [[.22 Long Rifle]] ==

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 == [[.22 Long Rifle]] ==
-Data for .22LR shown below is sourced from [http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/22.html Ballistics by the Inch]. A number of popular loads from major manufacturers were tested.
+Velocity by barrel length for '''.22 Long Rifle''' (also referred to as '''.22LR''' or often just "'''.22'''" for short). Data for .22LR shown below is sourced from [http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/22.html Ballistics by the Inch]. A number of popular loads from major manufacturers were tested. We'll also discuss things like ideal barrel lengths for various firearms to help navigate the various barrel length offerings. This is especially relevant when it comes to things like AR-15 rifle and/or pistol builds, as well as offerings like the [[Ruger 10/22]] (and its "Charger" pistol variants).
 {| class="wikitable"
@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 |}
 == [[.22 Magnum]] ==

@@ Line 180: / Line 180: @@
 == [[.300 Blackout]] ==
-Velocity by barrel length for '''.300 Blackout''' (also known as "'''.300 BLK'''"(SAAMI) or "'''.300 AAC Blackout'''" (C.I.P.) - From [https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=4VNl7QXykUY MrGunsnGear on YouTube].
+Velocity by barrel length for '''.300 Blackout''' (also known as "'''.300 BLK'''"(SAAMI) or "'''.300 AAC Blackout'''" (C.I.P.) - From [https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=4VNl7QXykUY MrGunsnGear on YouTube]. We'll also briefly discuss best barrel length for something like an AR-15 pistol, below to allow you to better navigate various typical barrel length offerings.
 {| class="wikitable"
@@ Line 196: / Line 196: @@
 |7.5" || 2118 fps || 1096 ft lbs || 1957 fps || 1063 ft lbs || 1709 fps || 973 ft lbs || 953 fps || 444 ft lbs
 |}
 == [[.32 ACP]] ==

@@ Line 175: / Line 175: @@
 |-
 |2" || 753 || 816 || 780
 |}