optimum barrel lengths 257roberts/260rem/264win

tjones96761 said:

So, I'm gonna bite the bullet, swallow my apprehensions, and order an ER Shaw MK VII. I'm a lefty, so it exponentially complicates finding a factory rifle I want. Got most of it figured out already, but barrel lengths are tripping me up. All these will be hunting rifles in a sporter contour. I'm pretty sure I want a 26" in the 264win, but I'm completely lost on the others. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
I'm not a hand loader, factory ammo only. Hence the reason I'm not getting crazy exotic with the chamberings.

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TJones,

Are you going to order all three of those cartridges? The 26" barrel on the 264WM is definitely a good idea, but for the other two cartridges 22" would be sufficient and even 20" would be fine, depending on how you plan to use them.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how remarkably similar the 260Rem and 257Bob are, in terms of performance. In bullets of similar weight, the 260Rem is only 100fps faster and only .007" larger in diameter, which basically means they are the same cartridge. Were it me, I would surely choose a different 3rd cartridge, if I was ordering them all at once.

Also, you mention you won't be handloading, but those two smaller cartridges are not always easy to get factory ammo for, and greatly benefit from handloads. Again, this is your train, so you rob it any way you want, but if you're sticking to factory ammo, you'd be far better served by replacing those two with a 22-250 and a 7mm-08. Just my $.02 worth.