Velocity vs. Barrel Length

It has often been debated how barrel length impacts projectile velocity at the muzzle. The general principle is clear: the longer the barrel, the higher the velocity and the kinetic energy. The pressure created by the powder explosion accelerates the projectile in the barrel. The longer the barrel, the more time and distance is available to accelerate the projectile and, hence, the muzzle velocity is higher with increasing barrel length.

How to use and how to read?

• Select up to three calibers in dropdown fields below to compare side by side

• see how velocity is impacted by changing barrel length by one increment below the dropdown field

• the chart shows velocity by barrel length