The whole 'scrub rifle' thing

[roob]

Hi guys,

I'm wondering about the whole 'scrub gun' short barrel argument.

The Scout is a bit of a favourite with the 18" barrel. A normal Ruger has a 22" barrel though. How much difference does the 4" really make?

I know the argument is shorter barrel doesn't get stuck of bushes or whatever, but for 4"?

Not claiming to know it all or have done it all. Just wondering if it's really that practical or is just the 'done' thing?

[Chronos]

maybe "ute gun" would be a better description, the shorter barrel makes them better when you're jumping in and out of the cab of a ute or 4WD

Chronos

[Browning]

Some people definition of "scrub" is very different.. I waaaay prefer to use my 20" shotty in the "scrub" cos its thick lime bush and the practicality is, it swings better than the 28" barrel and it weighs a lot less carrying it all day.

As for rifles, well for me its the same reasons...

Basically, if you're moving/walking/carrying it in forest/timber/bushy country, a shorter barrel "feels" nicer to use...

When on the ute/spotlighting, not only does weight/length not really matter, but it probably helps as well...

For me its 20" shotty or my .308BLR when walking in the day and at night on the ute I swap the 28" barrel onto the shotty or use my T3 varmint barrel 22-250..

[Vati]

In a few hunting situations it's definitely a benefit.

One of the guys here culls pigs in sugar cane fields. No room to move in there obviously... That extra 4" of barrel would be knocking all the time.

[Norton]

That's von_klitzing,

Clearing the pigs out of the cane fields here in QLD.

[roob]

Yeah ok, I can see the sugar cane needing it.

I'm in NSW so nothing like that to think of for me.

[Fujix]

This is fine detail stuff but not getting caught isn't the only advantage.

Handling of shorter barrel rifles is typically a little better too as there is less weight swinging around at the front end... With a heavier barrel making snap shots the weight can continue to move the barrel past your target when you've wanted to stop the motion.

Just a little thing, might not really make a difference to you though. Depends on your shooting and if it bothers you...

[Rocker]

It's horses for courses.

If you can't see any value in a scrub/ute setup then it's not the rifle for you.

[bunnybuster]

The barrel length is really determined by the optimum burn time of the powder.

i.e. a 22rf burns in about 16 inches, a 762/308 was designed to use an 18" barrel.

Beyond that it comes down to appearance, sight radius (irrelevant with a scope) and balance.

Obviously hand loading any centrefire can be tailored to it's barrel/twist,by using an appropriate powder.

Most handloading manuals state the length of the test barrel used.

Be Safe BB.

[headspace]

With rifles I've never felt I needed to go shorter than 22inches, but a shotgun may be a different deal.

Close quarter stuff in heavy cover I have fond memories of a Winchester mod 12 shotty loaded with 00 buckshot for pigs in thick lignum.

But then that was a pump gun we can't have 'em anymore.

Having said that I also used a 270 Winchester Mod70 in the same stuff and it had a 24inch barrel.

Current pig rifle is a Howa 30 with a 22inch fluted barrel. Don't ask why fluted, it just came that way.

JD

[Lorgar]

With rifles I've never felt I needed to go shorter than 22inches, but a shotgun may be a different deal.

Can't speak re: shotguns but I'm the same for rifles.

I've always gone 22" and never felt the need for anything shorter. Not hunting in Victoria anyway.

If you're hunting like von_klitzing in cane fields the a 16"-18" barrel obviously has a lot of merit, but in you're typical hunting situation I can't see a 20" - 24" barrel ever being a problem for 99% of shooters.

[mahna]

i.e. a 22rf burns in about 16 inches

Interesting. So many 22's have longer barrels?

[Fry]

Other factors like barrel harmonics play a part too I guess.

It's not just about getting the bullet out of the barrel asap.

I know the Anschütz 1416D 22LR has a 22" barrel and they shoot greeeeat. I don't think anyone will say Anschütz don't know what they're doing.

Just ask the guys here that have em.

[chookah]

I know the Anschütz 1416D 22LR has a 22" barrel and they shoot greeeeat. I don't think anyone will say Anschütz don't know what they're doing.

Anschütz 5 shot group

Whatever they're doing something's working

[Westy]

Yeah ok, I can see the sugar cane needing it.

I'm in NSW so nothing like that to think of for me.

Obviously you've never been North of the Richmond River Pigs and Cane up the warzzo

[headspace]

Obviously you've never been North of the Richmond River Pigs and Cane up the warzzo

You been restocking the cane paddocks mate?? There's a couple of blokes over Coraki way have.

[roob]

Not yet Westy.

Maybe I'll work my way there

[fawksel]

Interesting. So many 22's have longer barrels?

And that .308 was designed for 18" barrel?

So many with 22, 24. 26 even...

[Klem]

And that .308 was designed for 18" barrel?

So many with 22, 24. 26 even...

Bear in mind different pills, difference power charges, more or less to burn...

No fixed numbers in this, one setup may be better suited to a longer or shorter barrel depending...

[zook60]

For me it can make a big difference, when your rifle is over your shoulder and you duck under a tree branch if you know the barrel isn't higher than your head then you can leave the gun on your shoulder and just duck under.

If it sticks above your head you have to take the gun off your shoulder every time.

[VICHunter]

For me it can make a big difference

Yep, for you.

There's no one size fits all, Roob.

Where I hunt in VIC it makes no difference, but for zook it does.

Think about where you'll be and if it will make a difference for you.

[zook60]

Yep, for you.

There's no one size fits all, Roob.

Where I hunt in VIC it makes no difference, but for zook it does.

Think about where you'll be and if it will make a difference for you.

Yep well said

[Swarm]

Get two sticks.

One the length of a 'short rifle' one of a 'norma' one.

Take turns walking about in your spots with each of them tied to your back. See if either hit anything.

That'll tell ya

[roob]

I might actually do that in future.

A practice stick is cheaper than buying the wrong rifle

[Warrigul]

Other factors like barrel harmonics play a part too I guess.

It's not just about getting the bullet out of the barrel asap.

I know the Anschütz 1416D 22LR has a 22" barrel and they shoot greeeeat. I don't think anyone will say Anschütz don't know what they're doing.

Just ask the guys here that have em.

There is nothing wrong with a 22" barrel on a .22LR but perhaps they are accurate DESPITE the fact they have a long barrel. The stiffer the barrel the better and the shorter a barrel is for a given diameter the stiffer it is. Harmonics(wobbly barrels) are a plague not a blessing.

The only advantages a barrel longer than 16.5" has is an improved sight radius for iron sights and cosmetic appeal to the consumer (and perhaps a bit of extra meat to trim back the crown a couple of times) I would be happy to stand corrected.

[zook60]

There is nothing wrong with a 22" barrel on a .22LR but perhaps they are accurate DESPITE the fact they have a long barrel. The stiffer the barrel the better and the shorter a barrel is for a given diameter the stiffer it is. Harmonics(wobbly barrels) are a plague not a blessing.

The only advantages a barrel longer than 16.5" has is an improved sight radius for iron sights and cosmetic appeal to the consumer (and perhaps a bit of extra meat to trim back the crown a couple of times) I would be happy to stand corrected.

It is also said that having a barrel longer than 16" on the 22lr actually starts to slow the projectile down.

I would agree with you on having open sights on a 22 it will be more accurate with a longer barrel.

[huccl]

I would agree with you on having open sights on a 22 it will be more accurate with a longer barrel.

The rifles not more accurate though?

Just your ability to use the sights better, right?

[Hadoku]

That would be correct.

[zook60]

The rifles not more accurate though?

Just your ability to use the sights better, right?

Yes definitely your correct.

[huccl]

Cool.

Just making sure I wasn't missing something