08-25-2016, 04:53 PM
Absolutely. There is the possibility that someone might want to use a 24-28 inch barrel in environments that would cause problems for a longer tube, but there are also common problems with gassing in the standard lengths. I would think anyone that wants to approach the ragged edge would more likely be shooting from a bench, willing to put serious thought into the aspects involved. A person that's less committed could choose a length based on reliability. Frankly, either choice is likely to be accurate.
It would seem that the best approach would be to study the characteristics of a specific cartridge and adapt tube lengths that meet some standard range of operation for the action. After a second cartridge is studied, it will make changes easier to determine for a third.
The first step for any useful adjustment would likely be the determining the required pressure and dwell necessary for cycling. It would probably result in a graph that went from high pressure short dwell to low pressure long dwell. Anything along that line would likely cycle.
If alternate tube lengths begin to be used, real life experiences will be discussed more often on forums. It will become another area that users might want to focus on.
It would seem that the best approach would be to study the characteristics of a specific cartridge and adapt tube lengths that meet some standard range of operation for the action. After a second cartridge is studied, it will make changes easier to determine for a third.
The first step for any useful adjustment would likely be the determining the required pressure and dwell necessary for cycling. It would probably result in a graph that went from high pressure short dwell to low pressure long dwell. Anything along that line would likely cycle.
If alternate tube lengths begin to be used, real life experiences will be discussed more often on forums. It will become another area that users might want to focus on.