Does size matter?

[audioruss]

What is the most popular barrel length for rifles 16, 20, or 24?  What do you use?

Russ

[Doc Shapiro]

I prefer 20 over 24.  Mostly cause the forearm is shorter on the 20 inch and I like to grasp the end of the forearm.  Now that's on a 73.  For a Marlin, I much prefer a 24 inch.

Doc

[Big Hext Finnigan]

Howdy Russ,

The answer is yes, but it depends on the shooter.  The 16 isn't a very practical length for CAS.  Without knowing your arm lenghth, size and other factors, the rest is up to you. 

Try it... you'll like it!
Adios,

[Advertising]

[FloraBama Kid]

I tend to get a steadier sight picture with a 24".

[Wiley Desperado]

I really like my 24" heavy octagon barrel very steady stays on target well.

[Big Hext Finnigan]

Hey Wiley!
Are you gonna bring that rifle out and shoot, ever again.  Ain't seen ya in a while.

Adios,

[Will Ketchum]

I'm kind of partial to my 30" 73

Will Ketchum

[J.D.Cayhill]

Give me a 24" barrel also. Just a more stable hold when accuracy counts. I would have to get a lot faster before any barrel length would come into play.

[Tommy tornado]

I have always been a fan of longer barrels because I believe it helps me hold on the target. 

[Silver Creek Slim]

I have 20" Marlins.

Slim

[Beauregard Hooligan]

I'm kind of partial to my 30" 73

Will Ketchum

Howdy Folks,

     I have to agree with my old pard Will on this one. I have pistol caliber Marlin's with 20" and 24" bbls, and a Winchester .30-30 with a 26" tube, but now that I have my .44-40 Pedersoli '73 with the 30" barrel, it is the rifle I reach for first. With a tang sight and globe front, looking down that tube is distinctly like shooting a Pennsylvania rifle. Of course having a 17 round magazine doesn't hurt on those team events.
     Adios,

                    Beauregard Hooligan
                    AKA: Bill Hilburn Jr.
                    NRA Life, SASS #5674 Life, NMLRA Life,
                    WASA #56, River City Regulators,
                    Murietta Posse, Mother Lode Shootist
                    Society, Moderator/Deputy CAS-L
                   

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
         =George Orwell

[RattlesnakeJack]

Size apparently DOES matter ... at least according to all the spam e-mails I've been getting in the past year or two ....

(Sorry, couldn't resist!)

Actually, I used to have a 16" barreled 94 Trapper (.45 Colt) which was deadly!  Have always regretted getting rid of it. 
Now, I shoot a  Uberti Model 1866 and a Winchester "Traditions Classic" Model 1892, both having 24" barrels.....

[Beauregard Hooligan]

Howdy Jack,

      I had a 16" bbl .pre-64 Winchester 30-30 that was the best rough country hunting machine I ever used. My Uncle and I would chase after black bear with his Walker hounds, and I would finish them with the Trapper. I had a tang sight, and with the aperature removed it worked very well in low light. A head shot at 30 yards was usually a cinch. It was also lethal on deer out to around 75 yards. The only down side was the ferocious muzzle blast. Guys at the range would come by to see what kind of cannon I was shooting.
      But, my Uncle sold his dogs when he got too old to run with them, and I ended up selling the carbine. I have regretted it ever since, especially when I think of well seasoned bear jerky..
      Adios,

                    Beauregard Hooligan
                    AKA: Bill Hilburn Jr.
                    NRA Life, SASS #5674 Life, NMLRA Life,
                    WASA #56, River City Regulators,
                    Murietta Posse, Mother Lode Shootist
                    Society, Moderator/Deputy CAS-L
                   

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
         =George Orwell

Size apparently DOES matter ... at least according to all the spam e-mails I've been getting in the past year or two ....

(Sorry, couldn't resist!)

Actually, I used to have a 16" barreled 94 Trapper (.45 Colt) which was deadly!  Have always regretted getting rid of it. 
Now, I shoot a  Uberti Model 1866 and a Winchester "Traditions Classic" Model 1892, both having 24" barrels.....

[Tascosa]

Pard, I favor a 20" barrel mainly because I carry it a'horseback a lot. Works good for me up to 50 to 75 yds. with factory loads.
Tascosa