16” optimal barrel length- caliber?

[Megastink]

After fumbling with my 20-24” barrels while saddle hunting in trees, I’m looking to build something with a 16” barrel. I’m looking to do a bolt action with a stock that has a short length of pull for me t-Rex arms.

My question is: what calibers have optimal performance from a 16” barrel? I realize I can do any caliber I want really, but I’d rather select a caliber whose performance peaks at or very close to 16”. In other words, not a huge gain in FPS going to an 18” or 20”. I don’t want to waste powder nor have huge muzzle blast if I can avoid it.

Shots will be on whitetails out to 300 yards max. I’m curious about 6 ARC, 6.5 Grendel, or .300 BLK but open to suggestion.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Formidilosus]

My question is: what calibers have optimal performance from a 16” barrel? I realize I can do any caliber I want really, but I’d rather select a caliber whose performance peaks at or very close to 16”. In other words, not a huge gain in FPS going to an 18” or 20”.

That is not a thing. The “efficient” or “optimum” in short barrels trope is a marketing thing that gun-writers and companies have used for the last 40 years. All common CF cartridges lose on average 20-30fps per inch of barrel.

I don’t want to waste powder nor have huge muzzle blast if I can avoid it.

Then you choose the smallest case capacity cartridge that will keep your chosen bullet above its minimum impact velocity threshold to your maximum range. Of what you listed, the 6 ARC or Grendel, however if it is level in your state, a fast twist 223 shooting heavy for caliber tipped match bullets would be as good or better.

 

[robtattoo]

6 Arc, one of the Grendels, .300 Ham'r, 6x45, 6.5 Arc, .223.......
Pick your poison.

I'm just getting set to build another UL-UL straight pull AR in .300 ham'r for a friend, specifically for your exact needs. I lent him mine for a couple of hunts & according to him, it 'better mousetraps' all his other rifles for that particular role.




The only thing I'm doing different for him is switching scopes to a fixed 3x Micro Prism. He really loved the super light weight (a hair over 4lb) while tarzanning himself around. I'm trying really hard to persuade him to SBR it & go to 12"

 

[rcook10]

If it’s not suppressed the smaller the cartridge the better. A 16” 308 without a can sucks, a 16” 223 is fine. Personally, (and i’m sure i’ll get roasted because rokslide loves jerking off small calibers) i’d look hard at a 308; mine is a flyweight kimber mountain ascent chopped to 16”with a fixed 6 leupold, thunderbeast ultra 7. It can shoot a very diverse array of bullets with good terminal performance and it’s about as common as it gets for center fire. My current favorite loads from the factory are 130gr barnes ttsx at 3000fps and 175gr federal terminal ascents at 2500fps. I have some great 150gr and 180gr sierra loads doing 2750 and 2400fps. I also love my shorty 223 kimber and 6.5cm howa and have previously shot a lot of 6.5grendel from a howa mini but the 308 gets the most work for sure. The efficency of a 308 case is something else! Pictures of the 223 and 308 attached!

 

[rcook10]

 

[SchwarzStock]

I would suggest a single shot of any persuasion, Ruger, Hi-Wall, CVA..... You could have a 4-6 inch loner barrel by giving up a longer action. That is is you are man enough to shot a single-shot.

 

[hereinaz]

.223, 22 arc, and 6 arc is what I would choose from. 6.5 Grendel would work great too.

I would not go with 300 BO whether supersonic or sub sonic.

Like Form said, you lose 20-30 fps per inch with cartridges regardless. For less blast, you have to start with less powder, thus the smaller cases of the three I listed.

For a shorter action, I like the Howa Mini.

 

[Iukamedic]

If it’s not suppressed the smaller the cartridge the better. A 16” 308 without a can sucks, a 16” 223 is fine. Personally, (and i’m sure i’ll get roasted because rokslide loves jerking off small calibers) i’d look hard at a 308; mine is a flyweight kimber mountain ascent chopped to 16”with a fixed 6 leupold, thunderbeast ultra 7. It can shoot a very diverse array of bullets with good terminal performance and it’s about as common as it gets for center fire. My current favorite loads from the factory are 130gr barnes ttsx at 3000fps and 175gr federal terminal ascents at 2500fps. I have some great 150gr and 180gr sierra loads doing 2750 and 2400fps. I also love my shorty 223 kimber and 6.5cm howa and have previously shot a lot of 6.5grendel from a howa mini but the 308 gets the most work for sure. The efficency of a 308 case is something else! Pictures of the 223 and 308 attached!

Suppressed 308 is nice with a can. The blast and recoil reduction is good. Guess it depends on the can.

 

[ElPollo]

From what you are describing, there seems to be no reason to go above 223/5.56. You might consider the SBR route and add n AB A-10 suppressor. Even at 12-ish inches you’ll have plenty of killing power with the AAC 77gr TMK ammo, the Black Hills version, 73 gr ELDMs, or the 62 gr Fusion.

 

[dreadi]

Maybe you need a 6.8 SPC.

 

[Long84]

Check out the Ruger American Gen II Ranch. 16" barrel, available in the calibers you listed, and has a removable spacer to shorten the L.O.P

 

[ChrisAU]

I have a couple 16.5" 22 Creedmoors that I built and I love them. Getting just short of 3200 FPS MV with 75 gr ELDM loads from Copper Creek and they have in the last 2 months proved very deadly to a mule deer buck, a whitetail buck and a whitetail doe, and multiple hogs and coyotes. Its an incredibly fun gun to shoot with a bit more horsepower than you get from a 223.

 

[Megastink]

I have a couple 16.5" 22 Creedmoors that I built and I love them. Getting just short of 3200 FPS MV with 75 gr ELDM loads from Copper Creek and they have in the last 2 months proved very deadly to a mule deer buck, a whitetail buck and a whitetail doe, and multiple hogs and coyotes. Its an incredibly fun gun to shoot with a bit more horsepower than you get from a 223.

I'd love to see those rifles!

 

[stooxie]

6.8SPC is, indeed, a great suggestion. A 16" barrel will give you 2800-2900 FPS with a 90gr Fed Fusion (or XM68GD). That load has kept my freezer full for years. A mild recoil deer slayer.

Otherwise, I think 308 is a good suggestion, too. It does very well in short barrels. You'll certainly have more muzzle blast, and I hope we're not talking about a "no hearing protection" setting.

-Stooxie

 

[sveltri]

That is not a thing. The “efficient” or “optimum” in short barrels trope is a marketing thing that gun-writers and companies have used for the last 40 years. All common CF cartridges lose on average 20-30fps per inch of barrel.

This is exactly what I experienced when shooting the same load in my 24" and 16" Tikka 223's. 75 ELD-M 25.2 Varget 24" 2978fps 16" 2786. I assumed velocity reduction would be greater.

 

[Broadsideofabarn]

I'd love to see those rifles!

Ditto! I've been looking to Build a short .22 Creed for around the farm