Short & Sweet!

[RonC808]

Howdy folks,
I usually reside on the springer side but thought I'd sneak over the fence for a bit of chat. Do you guys really wear oxygen masks and breath like Darth Vader while you shoot? That's what the elders back in Springer Land are saying .

Any-who, I have a question for ya, but first a little back story. I've been secretly pining for a RAW PCP and while doing some late night research (can't let me fellow springers know about this) I found a super low resolution photo that really peaked my interest . It's down at the bottom because I don't know how to insert it in the text body

It's the shorty TM circled in red. Looks like it has the small 280cc bottle (since the stock hasn't been opened up like the ones above it). And I'm pretty sure that's an aluminum or stainless shroud, and not a barrel liner, since its thicker than the stainless lined TM below it and almost as fat as the LDC's on the ones above it. And the smaller air bottle would allow for that. If baffled, the barrel inside probably stops near the end of the bottle to allow for baffles. So I'm guessing a 15"-16" barrel length...

So here's my question: Will function follow form? Can a barrel that short in .22 do the business at 50 yds?

I know the TM's only come in .177 and .20, but I'd opt for the HM action and go for .22.
The only reason I'm eyeing this shorter set-up is purely because I find it to be super nice looking

[Rallyshark]

I have no doubt at all that a barrel that short can do the business at 50 yards.  I wouldn't let that barrel length bother me at all.  A good barrel is a good barrel.  There may be a slight sacrifice in efficiency depending on power level, but that's about all I'd worry about

[Dairyboy]

I have a RAW and definitely wouldn't hesitate to get one if I were you! Planning on getting a second actually. Length of barrel has no play in accuracy unless it's too long and messes with harmonics but typically shorter is stiffer which is better. It would be less efficient but just as accurate 

[rkr]

8" barrel can do the business at 50 yards. It just limits the power or actually velocity that you can have. 15" barrel in .22 is good enough for well over 30 fpe, I got over 36 fpe from 15" BSA barrel with JSB Heavies.

[RonC808]

There may be a slight sacrifice in efficiency depending on power level, but that's about all I'd worry about

It would be less efficient but just as accurate 

It just limits the power or actually velocity that you can have.

Thank you for the feedback gentlemen! Interesting how you all pretty much said the same things:

• Short can be accurate
• Efficiency & power may suffer

I forgot to mention that the rifle's main purpose would be targets, spinners & plinking@10-50yds.
So accuracy? Would be paramount.
Power? Hopefully enough to make tiny groups@50yds.
Efficiency? Hopefully the reg. can manage at least 4 mags worth with the 280cc air volume.

I know a Marauder can get the job done for 1/3 the price. But once I saw that photo... Oooh-La-La... instant mid-life crisis
Why drive a mass produced car to the store when you can take a hand-crafted super car
Affording the super car? That's another story. But we wont talk about that

[rkr]

Power and barrel length has little do with tiny groups at 50 yards. Barrel and crown quality (i.e. how pellet leaves the barrel and what's it's shape) are most important things. After that comes the BC of the pellet at the speed you are shooting at, the higher the BC the less wind drift. In some cases the barrel length may restrict you from achieving optimal speed for highest BC.