The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - legal maximum length of a 3030 or 3006 barrel

jmr40 · September 15, 2012, 06:57 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.

September 15, 2012, 06:57 PM	#4
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	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.