Tale of 2 barrels...44 mag shoot-out part 2

[J A XSP]

My local range re-opened and gave me a chance to do some accuracy testing with my two 44 mag barrels. I've got a 18" SSK Hunter with a forward compensator and a 24" Eabco barrel. I got them both with intention of satisfying my curiosity about velocity, figure out what I really want in terms of barrel length and try to determine whether there's any pertinent difference in accuracy between the two. Since one is too short in my opinion and the other is too long for the caliber, they're both at a bit of a disadvantage in the length department. That leaves accuracy and velocity.
On an earlier outing, I was able to put a number of rounds across a chronograph and get some good data about velocity. Since I could spend some time at the indoor range, this round I was able to get a start on finding out what combination each barrel might prefer and find out if it looks like there any fundamental difference.

For initial testing, early in the break-in process, I kept it simple and loaded up 2 different bulk bullets, jacketed hollow points and jacketed flat points, in 2 different charge weights of H110. Testing each combination in both barrels gave me 8 groups to look at. I kept things at 50 yards to keep groups from scattering too much and tried to keep the barrels cool throughout. I have to say, neither barrel heated up very much during the process.

After shooting a few rounds of plinker loads in each barrel before shooting for groups, I proceeded through the load range. The results are on the target below with the SSK loads starting in the upper left and progressing counter clockwise and the EABCO groups starting in the lower right corner and progressing counter clockwise around the remaining targets. It's easy to see that the groups from the 24" barrel were a little better. Neither barrel gave solid MOA results with these combinations, though the EABCO came very close. I think both barrels will start to shine when they get some more rounds through them and I break out the XTPs to try to dial in some real accuracy.

Shooting the longer barrel feels a little better but neither is particularly punishing. Both are nice in their own way so it'll be hard for me to decide just on handling characteristics. Either way, it'll be an interesting process to keep comparing them.