FX Impact barrel lengths

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dasenahk

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Feb 22, 2025
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Digging further and further into this deep rabbit hole of airgun theory, I was wondering what the more experienced airgunners think about barrel length.
My (very limited) understanding is that longer lengths help with air usage (less pressure needed to achieve a given velocity), and help push heavy projectiles at faster velocity (there is a longer runway for the projectile). BUT, this doesn't mean more accuracy, since a longer barrel is also more susceptible to whip.
Is the above correct? If so, how does one balance the pros and cons of the longer barrels?
 
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dasenahk said:
Digging further and further into this deep rabbit hole of airgun theory, I was wondering what the more experienced airgunners think about barrel length.
My (very limited) understanding is that longer lengths help with air usage (less pressure needed to achieve a given velocity), and help push heavy projectiles at faster velocity (there is a longer runway for the projectile). BUT, this doesn't mean more accuracy, since a longer barrel is also more susceptible to whip.
Is the above correct? If so, how does one balance the pros and cons of the longer barrels?
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What do you plan on using the gun for? What you plan on using it for will help determine what barrel lengths would be appropriate for your use.

I have a 500mm compact barrel and I use mine for hunting, mainly iguanas. For my needs, the 500 is perfect. Want to shoot bench rest? Go with the longer barrels.
 
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Floridaman2005 said:
What do you plan on using the gun for? What you plan on using it for will help determine what barrel lengths would be appropriate for your use.

I have a 500mm compact barrel and I use mine for hunting, mainly iguanas. For my needs, the 500 is perfect. Want to shoot bench rest? Go with the longer barrels.
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Yes, bench. Mostly pellets. I get the "what" (longer barrel), but now just trying to figure out the "why" ;)
 
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If we are both sitting at the bench with .25 or .30 Impacts. We both are shooting the exact same pellet at the exact same speed. If you have a 700mm and I have a 600mm and just for a couple shots we decide to switch guns, after 3 shots you’ll want your 700 back. And I’ll want to keep shooting your 700mm. It’s because your settings are much more harmonically friendly than mine. Yes, you have more barrel to deal with and the side effects. But from a bench paper punching standpoint, it’s probably worth it. And with a 700 you are never limited if you ever decide to shoot heavy stuff. I’m personally a 500-600mm Impact guy. But I fully understand my guns limitations. I‘ve tried to venture up to what the 700mm guys are doing several times in several calibers. Failed every time.
 
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Vetmx said:
If we are both sitting at the bench with .25 or .30 Impacts. We both are shooting the exact same pellet at the exact same speed. If you have a 700mm and I have a 600mm and just for a couple shots we decide to switch guns, after 3 shots you’ll want your 700 back. And I’ll want to keep shooting your 700mm. It’s because your settings are much more harmonically friendly than mine. Yes, you have more barrel to deal with and the side effects. But from a bench paper punching standpoint, it’s probably worth it. And with a 700 you are never limited if you ever decide to shoot heavy stuff. I’m personally a 500-600mm Impact guy. But I fully understand my guns limitations. I‘ve tried to venture up to what the 700mm guys are doing several times in several calibers. Failed every time.
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Thank you. Failed in what way?
 
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My failures were mainly slug related but it’s also happened with pellets. But I’m talking heavy pellets related to caliber. The ones you’ll be focusing on if your punching paper at 100 yards. If you are sticking with pellets and want to dabble in 32 or less grain slugs, a 600mm will do as long as it’s not 30 caliber. Without going into great detail and spending twenty minutes typing, a shorter barrel is generally capable of getting you to the speed the longer barreled gun shoots a projectile with great accuracy. But it’s because of radical settings that the shorter gun is not able to match that accuracy.
 
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Vetmx said:
My failures were mainly slug related but it’s also happened with pellets. But I’m talking heavy pellets related to caliber. The ones you’ll be focusing on if your punching paper at 100 yards. If you are sticking with pellets and want to dabble in 32 or less grain slugs, a 600mm will do as long as it’s not 30 caliber. Without going into great detail and spending twenty minutes typing, a shorter barrel is generally capable of getting you to the speed the longer barreled gun shoots a projectile with great accuracy. But it’s because of radical settings that the shorter gun is not able to match that accuracy.
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Thank you. Very helpful!
 
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