Measuring barrel length . . .

Don Becker · 10-06-2006, 08:20 AM

How is barrel length measured? Is it from the muzzle back to the front of its attachment (ring) to the action? Inside from muzzle to fact of closed bolt? What? Don

Boatdog · 10-06-2006, 08:24 AM

I always thought it was from the front of the reciever (where the reciever ends and the barrel starts) to the muzzle of the barrel.

Good question.

Edit: Ok, I just found this on the web.

In measuring barrel length you do it from the closed breech to the muzzle, see 27 CFR sec. 179.11. "the length of the barrel having an integral chamber(s) on a shotgun or rifle shall be determined by measuring the distance between the muzzle and the face of the bolt, breech, or breech block when closed and when the shotgun or rifle is cocked."
To measure overall length do so along, "the distance between the extreme ends of the weapon measured along a line parallel to the center line of the bore." 27 CFR sec. 179.11.

http://www.ttb.gov/regulations/tdatf396.htm

Hunt'nFish · 10-06-2006, 11:25 AM

This is why the effective barrel length on a .300WSM is actually ~1" longer than the same barrel on a .300Win.

Helps explain some of the reason the Short Mags are being touted as being more efficient.
Hunt'nFish

Don Becker · 10-06-2006, 12:09 PM

Thanks! Don

duckboy · 10-06-2006, 05:30 PM

Yep.. Id say measure from where the cartridge firing pin hits the primer to where the shot leaves the pipe

Arne K · 10-06-2006, 06:42 PM

With the gun unloaded and the action closed, slide a dowel down the barrel until is stops against the front of the bolt. Mark the dowel even with the end of the barrel. Take the dowel out and measure from the end which was touching the bolt tot your mark. That is your barrel length.

Don Becker · 10-06-2006, 07:16 PM

'Sure looks like we have agreement on this one. Thanks!

The reason this came up is; I wasn't certain and one item on my "to do list" for this weekend is to do some updating of my photographs and my inventory of my firearms (Excel spreadsheet). And, I thought I'd add a new column to the descriptions for the barrel length.

'Not in the morning, though - - - 'brother and I are heading out to get a little more practice with the smokepoles before our 100M1 hunt opens - - - - there's some paper out there that needs killin'.

Don