Looking for .223 barrel info

[HammerForged]

Is there any good info out there on optimal length for a .223 bolt gun barrel?

I am thinking of the type of info that Vudoo put out on their tests where they started with a long barrel and kept hacking off 1" at a time to see where performance or speed dropped off.

I don't want to get a longer barrel than I need, but I don't want to go so short that I lose performance.

I am also interested in everyone's input on the best barrel profiles. It's a trainer rifle. Think mostly bench and prone use. I do want to move it around without a forklift, but I want it solidly on target after I shoot so I can learn to see my hits.

 

[Supersubes]

There are a ton of tests on this around the internet. In the lengths you're likely to actually use(say 20”-24”), the velocity loss per inch is pretty linear at 25-30 fps per inch. If its a actual trainer, and you have a big boy rifle for comps etc, just match the big boy rifle.

Contour will depend on how the rifle specs out. Your chassis/stock choice will likely narrow you down to a group of contours. There’s no best contour, mostly its just individual preference.