Hello, and thanks in advance for your help. I have decided on a model 94, but am having a hard time deciding on barrel length and caliber. Looking at the 357 so my kids and wife can shoot too. Is there a point where the length no longer increases velocity or accuracy? Specifically between the 20" and 24" barrels. Read some about felt recoil-but is there much difference twix the 357 and the 44? Would rather have the 44.

Tried the search, but I must not have used the right terms to get this answered.

Tim

Hello, and thanks in advance for your help. I have decided on a model 94, but am having a hard time deciding on barrel length and caliber. Looking at the 357 so my kids and wife can shoot too. Is there a point where the length no longer increases velocity or accuracy? Specifically between the 20" and 24" barrels. Read some about felt recoil-but is there much difference twix the 357 and the 44? Would rather have the 44.

Tried the search, but I must not have used the right terms to get this answered.

Tim

The only rifels I've tested that LOST velocity as barel length increased wre .22LR's...the value of friction starts to out pace thevalue of the decreasing gas pressure at about 16-18", but .22lr's BURN ABOUT 2 GRAINS OF POWDER.


You won't gain much, but if all things were equal, a 20" barrel would be a tiny bit faster than a 16" barrel.

That all said, there isn't enough balistic difference in vel. to warrent much over 18" of barrel in .357 or in .44..could get a "fast" 18' factroy barrel or a "slow" 20" barrel.

Longer barresl do good things for i sight radius for iron sight shooters, getting the noise that much farther away from your ear, lower gas pressure at bullet exit for a slighly quieter "boom", and the matter of balance. With lever guns using full length magazine tubes, you get a longer magazine tube with your londer barrel, which is important to some shooters.

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Word about all things being equal...they ain't.

Only way to test barrel vel. gain is to start with a long one and cut it down in steps. Can't compare to different barrels of different lengths, are too many other variables besides length that are at play. Have seen 20" barrels that shot faster than 24" barresl due to these other factors, not just length.

Thank you ribbonstone, you've made my choice easier!