legal maximum length of a 3030 or 3006 barrel

madness · September 15, 2012, 05:21 PM

this is a question onl,y a few would like to have answered. i would like to know how long a barrel can be before it is considered illegal. also what lengths of barrels are avialable for those 2 guns.

**Brian Pfleuger** · September 15, 2012, 05:23 PM

I've never heard of a legal MAXIMUM length. Aftermarket barrels are certainly available to at least 36 inches and I'd guess considerably longer.

The question would be, why?

big al hunter · September 15, 2012, 05:37 PM

I also have never heard of a maximum legal length. There is a minimum legal length, to prevent rifles from being concealed. Maximum length for most people is determined by use, not law. At some point the longer barrel becomes less efficient, and possibly less accurate. Lots of variables to contemplate.....are you planning a long barreled custom rifle? If so keep us posted.

jmr40 · September 15, 2012, 07:57 PM

To try to answer at least part of your question factory 30-06 barrels are typically 22" or 24". Years of data pretty well show those lengths are about right. You occasionally see some shorter, but rarely less than 20". I know of no factory barrels longer than 24", but custom barrels of 26, 28 and even 30" are not unusual. You get a little more speed from longer barrels, but gains with a barrel longer than 22-24 are very small. For a typical hunter they are not needed. For long range shooting where every tiny bit of extra performance may matter then the extra length comes into play

A 30-30 typically uses a 20" barrel, but could be anywhere between 16"-24" and for the same reasons.

I also know of no legal maximum, but would think that beyond 28"-30" the negatives would start to outweigh ANY positives, at least in these chamberings.

**James K** · September 15, 2012, 08:15 PM

How easy is it to shoot a one hole group at 100 yards if your barrel is 100 yards long? Seriously, there would come a point where the propellant gas would no longer exert pressure and the bullet would simply stop in the barrel. But there is no legal maximum length that I have ever heard of. Barrel length laws address minimum length since they are intended to prevent concealed carry.

Jim

Scorch · September 15, 2012, 08:42 PM

There is no legal maximum length, but there are limits to the barrel-makers' abilities to drill a deep hole. Most will not undertake a barrel longer than 48", but some will go out to 60" on larger calibers.

FrankenMauser · September 15, 2012, 11:39 PM

Quote:

To try to answer at least part of your question factory 30-06 barrels are typically 22" or 24". Years of data pretty well show those lengths are about right. You occasionally see some shorter, but rarely less than 20". I know of no factory barrels longer than 24", but custom barrels of 26, 28 and even 30" are not unusual.

I haven't checked the current offerings for 2012/2013 (since I'm not planning to buy), but most rifle makers have traditionally offered varmint rigs with barrels up to 26" long. Ruger, for example, offered 26" barrels almost exclusively on their varmint/target rifles.

Factory 26 inch barrels are more common than many people think.

oldmanFCSA · September 15, 2012, 11:44 PM

Some barrel manufacturers have the capability to make barrels up to 45" long, Most can make barrels 35" long, Some are just plain lazy or cut barrels in half to get 2 pcs.

jmr40 · September 16, 2012, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Factory 26 inch barrels are more common than many people think.

But not in 30-06 or 30-30, I guess I should have been clearer on that. In varmit guns and calibers yes. A few companies offer 26" barrels on their long range 300 and 7mm magnums as well, but I don't think I've ever seen a currrent production factory 30-06 barrel that long. That length, and sometimes longer, was more common on rifles back during the 1st half of the 20th century.

kraigwy · September 16, 2012, 10:56 AM

The advantage of longer barrels comes when you use iron sights. But it has to do with the longer sight radius then the length of the barrel.

I like 24-26 inch barrels for my '06s, I have a 29 inch barrel for my 1000 yard target rifle.

But as to shooting, or accuracy wise, the most accurate 30 cal barrel is about 18 inches as determine by Dr. Mann "The Bullets flght from powder to target". Confirmed by the army who use 18 inch barrels in their Mann Accuracy Devices, use to test military ammo.

Other criteria comes into play, for example the M14 in 308. It needs a 22 inch barrel with its flash hider. Reason being that using M118, there is no detectable muzzle flash at night.

As to the 30-30. 18 inches for convience but again the sight radius comes into play (because most 30-30s use iron sights).

In the '06, using the 208 -220 match bullets, you need the longer barrel to burn the slower powders those heavy bullets need to make work.

PetahW · September 16, 2012, 10:56 AM

The maximum legal length is 72 feet.

.

**Brian Pfleuger** · September 16, 2012, 11:01 AM

Asked and answered.

September 15, 2012, 05:21 PM	#1
madness Junior member Join Date: September 15, 2012 Posts: 5	legal maximum length of a 3030 or 3006 barrel this is a question onl,y a few would like to have answered. i would like to know how long a barrel can be before it is considered illegal. also what lengths of barrels are avialable for those 2 guns.

September 15, 2012, 05:37 PM	#3
big al hunter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Location: Washington state Posts: 612	I also have never heard of a maximum legal length. There is a minimum legal length, to prevent rifles from being concealed. Maximum length for most people is determined by use, not law. At some point the longer barrel becomes less efficient, and possibly less accurate. Lots of variables to contemplate.....are you planning a long barreled custom rifle? If so keep us posted. __________________ You can't fix stupid....however ignorance can be cured through education!

September 15, 2012, 08:15 PM	#5
James K Staff Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 16,411	How easy is it to shoot a one hole group at 100 yards if your barrel is 100 yards long? Seriously, there would come a point where the propellant gas would no longer exert pressure and the bullet would simply stop in the barrel. But there is no legal maximum length that I have ever heard of. Barrel length laws address minimum length since they are intended to prevent concealed carry. Jim __________________ Jim K

September 15, 2012, 08:42 PM	#6
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 11,032	There is no legal maximum length, but there are limits to the barrel-makers' abilities to drill a deep hole. Most will not undertake a barrel longer than 48", but some will go out to 60" on larger calibers. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Taylor Machine

September 15, 2012, 11:44 PM	#8
oldmanFCSA Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2010 Location: Osceola, WI Posts: 133	Some barrel manufacturers have the capability to make barrels up to 45" long, Most can make barrels 35" long, Some are just plain lazy or cut barrels in half to get 2 pcs. __________________ OldmanFCSA = "Oldman" at Fifty Caliber Shooters Association www.fcsa.org 2012 & 2013 FCSA Regional Match Director - Alliance, NE - Spring Match June - Fall Match September 2013 - ALL 50BMG Shooters FCSA Member & SCSA Member & NRA Member & AMA Member "Oldage & Treachery will overcome Youth & Skill"

September 15, 2012, 05:23 PM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Staff Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Central, Southern NY, USA Posts: 14,480	I've never heard of a legal MAXIMUM length. Aftermarket barrels are certainly available to at least 36 inches and I'd guess considerably longer. The question would be, why?

September 15, 2012, 07:57 PM	#4
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 4,482	To try to answer at least part of your question factory 30-06 barrels are typically 22" or 24". Years of data pretty well show those lengths are about right. You occasionally see some shorter, but rarely less than 20". I know of no factory barrels longer than 24", but custom barrels of 26, 28 and even 30" are not unusual. You get a little more speed from longer barrels, but gains with a barrel longer than 22-24 are very small. For a typical hunter they are not needed. For long range shooting where every tiny bit of extra performance may matter then the extra length comes into play A 30-30 typically uses a 20" barrel, but could be anywhere between 16"-24" and for the same reasons. I also know of no legal maximum, but would think that beyond 28"-30" the negatives would start to outweigh ANY positives, at least in these chamberings.

September 16, 2012, 10:56 AM	#10
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 8,606	The advantage of longer barrels comes when you use iron sights. But it has to do with the longer sight radius then the length of the barrel. I like 24-26 inch barrels for my '06s, I have a 29 inch barrel for my 1000 yard target rifle. But as to shooting, or accuracy wise, the most accurate 30 cal barrel is about 18 inches as determine by Dr. Mann "The Bullets flght from powder to target". Confirmed by the army who use 18 inch barrels in their Mann Accuracy Devices, use to test military ammo. Other criteria comes into play, for example the M14 in 308. It needs a 22 inch barrel with its flash hider. Reason being that using M118, there is no detectable muzzle flash at night. As to the 30-30. 18 inches for convience but again the sight radius comes into play (because most 30-30s use iron sights). In the '06, using the 208 -220 match bullets, you need the longer barrel to burn the slower powders those heavy bullets need to make work. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Oct '78 Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

September 16, 2012, 10:56 AM	#11
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 3,275	The maximum legal length is 72 feet. . . . . .

September 16, 2012, 11:01 AM	#12
Brian Pfleuger Staff Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Central, Southern NY, USA Posts: 14,480	Asked and answered. __________________ Still happily answering to the call-sign Peetza. --- You do not HAVE a soul. You ARE a soul. You HAVE a body. -C.S. Lewis He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he can not lose. -Jim Eliott, paraphrasing Philip Henry.