Measuring Barrel Length

[tapehoser]

I'm pretty sure you don't count the muzzle brake as part of the measurement for barrel length.

Also, I know that you don't count the chamber. The measurement begins where the lands begin, correct?

Anything I'm missing or have incorrect?

 

[Blaine]

I believe you also include the chamber in the length, but not the brake.

Blaine

 

[Ol` Joe]

Blaines right, measure the chamber also. The barrel is "usually" the lenght from bolt face to muzzle crown.

 

[tapehoser]

Whoa! Then the barrel length for my Mod 70 would be something like 26 inches?!?!?

Is that measurement from the bolt face when it's fully retracted or when I have a cartridge loaded?

 

[Ol` Joe]

Is that measurement from the bolt face when it's fully retracted or when I have a cartridge loaded

It`s with the bolt locked. The face of the closed bolt is in effect the rear of the chamber.

 

[LoneStar]

Just ask the BATF if your 16" rifle barrel is legal - they'll show you how to measure it! In many rifles the bolt face is well behind the end of the barrel, in others it is actually in front of the end of the barrel (pre-64 M70 for example). If the brake is permanently attached to the barrel, then its length is also included in the total barrel length.