05-14-2012, 01:01 AM
The velocity starts to drop off more quickly as the barrel lenth goes below 16 or 18 inches.
You can calculate variations here: http://shootersnotes.com/calculator/velocity-estimator/
Factors to consider:
1). How important is convenient handling?
2). What ranges your plan to shoot over?
3). How important to you is keeping wind age and elevation corrections to a minimum?
Run your loads through the estimator and then run a good trajectory program. You'll probably discover there isn't a huge difference in the barrel lengths!
You can calculate variations here: http://shootersnotes.com/calculator/velocity-estimator/
Factors to consider:
1). How important is convenient handling?
2). What ranges your plan to shoot over?
3). How important to you is keeping wind age and elevation corrections to a minimum?
Run your loads through the estimator and then run a good trajectory program. You'll probably discover there isn't a huge difference in the barrel lengths!