Barrel Length Query

[biodsl]

I recently shot some proof loads in both my 18" BHW and 22" BHW. I shot the 123 AMAx through both, with CFE223 and IMR8208XBR. The 31.5 gr of CFE drove the 123 through the 18" barrel at 2509 fps, whereas the 22" barrel achieved 2647 fps. With 28.0 gr of 8208, the results were 2409 fps for the 18" and 2524 fps for the 22" barrel. (SNIP) Long and short of it is that Apples:Apples, the 4" of difference the two barrels gave me an average increase of 126 fps. Extrapolating, another 2" for the 24" barrel, it could offer an additional 60 fps, for a net of ~185 fps.

I'm pretty impressed with these numbers. They significantly exceed the general 20-24 fps per inch guideline. Not to totally hi-jack this thread, I'd be interested in hearing from other BHW 22" owners (I think there are a few) if they achieving similar velocities. 31.2 grains of CFE behind the 123 grain AMax is only netting me 2468 fps out of a 20" Lilja. Elevation is essentially sea-level.