Barrel length

Supertac45 · May 17th, 2008, 07:56 PM

I've notice that a lot of data has the test barrel for some handgun loads at 16 inches. How many FPS do I loose per inch for a shorter barrel? A ballpark figure is all I'm looking for.

uudl · June 1st, 2008, 10:35 PM

For normal pistol barrel lengths (3 to 6 inch barrels) you can generaly figure about 35 to 50 FPS per inch. I have never chronographed the longer barrels, so I could not say for sure. I am sure that it varies considerablely by caliber and type of powder (Slow burn rate vs Fast burn rate).

Shizzlemah · June 1st, 2008, 10:40 PM

Using data for a 16" barrel in a 3-6" barrel would be pointless. You'd lose plenty of velocity, and have a giant muzzle flash.

dukalmighty · June 2nd, 2008, 03:29 AM

Last time i seen a pistol with a 16" barrel was when that little kid pulled that thing outta his pants in the John Wayne movie the"Cowboys"

Supertac45 · June 2nd, 2008, 08:03 PM

I don't have a 16 inch barreled handgun. A friend is working up a .40 cal load for a powder that I can only find data on for a 16 inch barrel, and he thinks he's way too hot when it comes to FPS. However, he's way below the FPS published by the powder manufacturer for a 16 inch barrel.

farronwolf · June 2nd, 2008, 08:12 PM

I don't know if this is going to be much help, but with a 44-40, the book says that you will loose about 200 fps, with various powders going from a 24inch barrel down to a 6 inch barrel.

That being said, I shoot out of a 4.5 inch barrel with my 44-40 and loose about 3 to 400 fps, from the 24inch and 1 to 200 fps from the 6 inch. I know alot of this is determined by the pistol platform, and since Lyman is not using a pistol but a universal reciever with the data they are showing for the 44-40.

I would look at teh cases and check for overpressure and chrono the round when you find one that is just below the pressure threshold.

Good Luck

May 17th, 2008, 07:56 PM	#1
Supertac45 VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Michigan's U.P. Posts: 2,979	Barrel length I've notice that a lot of data has the test barrel for some handgun loads at 16 inches. How many FPS do I loose per inch for a shorter barrel? A ballpark figure is all I'm looking for. __________________ Les Baer 45 Sig Man N.R.A. Patron Life Member M.C.R.G.O.

June 2nd, 2008, 03:29 AM	#4
dukalmighty VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: texas Posts: 3,567	Last time i seen a pistol with a 16" barrel was when that little kid pulled that thing outta his pants in the John Wayne movie the"Cowboys" __________________ I like Poetry,Long Walks On The Beach,And Poking Dead Things With A Stick

June 2nd, 2008, 08:03 PM	#5
Supertac45 VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Michigan's U.P. Posts: 2,979	I don't have a 16 inch barreled handgun. A friend is working up a .40 cal load for a powder that I can only find data on for a 16 inch barrel, and he thinks he's way too hot when it comes to FPS. However, he's way below the FPS published by the powder manufacturer for a 16 inch barrel. __________________ Les Baer 45 Sig Man N.R.A. Patron Life Member M.C.R.G.O.

June 2nd, 2008, 08:12 PM	#6
farronwolf Distinguished Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,527	I don't know if this is going to be much help, but with a 44-40, the book says that you will loose about 200 fps, with various powders going from a 24inch barrel down to a 6 inch barrel. That being said, I shoot out of a 4.5 inch barrel with my 44-40 and loose about 3 to 400 fps, from the 24inch and 1 to 200 fps from the 6 inch. I know alot of this is determined by the pistol platform, and since Lyman is not using a pistol but a universal reciever with the data they are showing for the 44-40. I would look at teh cases and check for overpressure and chrono the round when you find one that is just below the pressure threshold. Good Luck __________________ Just remember that shot placement is much more important with what you carry than how big a bang you get with each trigger pull.

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June 1st, 2008, 10:35 PM	#2
uudl Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kalifornia Posts: 93	For normal pistol barrel lengths (3 to 6 inch barrels) you can generaly figure about 35 to 50 FPS per inch. I have never chronographed the longer barrels, so I could not say for sure. I am sure that it varies considerablely by caliber and type of powder (Slow burn rate vs Fast burn rate).

June 1st, 2008, 10:40 PM	#3
Shizzlemah Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 724	Using data for a 16" barrel in a 3-6" barrel would be pointless. You'd lose plenty of velocity, and have a giant muzzle flash.