16" suppressed elk gun

[ResearchinStuff]

A suppressed 16" 6.5 creed is way more capable than youd expect with a nice eld or tmk bullet on top. And super fun to shoot all day.

 

[wesfromky]

Unless OP is hunting elk in CO, OR, or WY.

Or KY - we have a .270 minimum for elk, so even the 6.5s are out. And 6.5 minimum for bear. So, I am looking at a 16" .308.

 

[ElPollo]

A suppressed 16" 6.5 creed is way more capable than youd expect with a nice eld or tmk bullet on top. And super fun to shoot all day.

Agree with RS. My 16” does just about 2680 fps at the muzzle with a 130 gr TMK. That gives me velocity to upset a bullet out further than I like to shoot stuff with hair. I shot elk with a 130 grain bullets out of 270 for years, so I have no qualms with this setup.

 

[atmat]

Or KY - we have a .270 minimum for elk, so even the 6.5s are out. And 6.5 minimum for bear. So, I am looking at a 16" .308.

Oh wow I had no idea!

 

[Doc Holliday]

At the distances you’re wanting to kill animals with a 16” suppressed platform the solution is simple: 77TMK out of a 223.

Done.

Go forth and kill with confidence.

Or a 62gr TTSX, much easier to find

Love my Ruger American Ranch 5.56 w 16" barrel

 

[fwafwow]

Or KY - we have a .270 minimum for elk, so even the 6.5s are out. And 6.5 minimum for bear. So, I am looking at a 16" .308.

You can get a tag? Nice!

 

[Sccritterkiller]

I would chop the 308 to 18". I am pushing a 150gr AB a little above 2800fps with 18" barrel and can, not even close to max load. IMO 6.5 surpressed is a little louder than supressed .308 Good Luck!

 

[SloppyJ]

Personally I would go with the .308. Call me old fashioned but I prefer bigger bullets. I will always pick a bigger bullet at a lower velocity than a smaller one that is running quicker. 16" is pushing it IMO. I have a m5 receiver set to build out and I don't even think I want to take that to 16", 18" looks like the sweet spot.

What's more interesting to me is a 338 around 16" or 18". Although I really want something to push a 200gr+ 30cal around 2900fps, a very maneuverable 338 would be much more practical for my needs.

 

[wesfromky]

You can get a tag? Nice!

Odds of drawing are crazy low, but, wouldn't want to have to buy a new rifle if I were to get lucky.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Personally I would go with the .308. Call me old fashioned but I prefer bigger bullets. I will always pick a bigger bullet at a lower velocity than a smaller one that is running quicker. 16" is pushing it IMO. I have a m5 receiver set to build out and I don't even think I want to take that to 16", 18" looks like the sweet spot.

What's more interesting to me is a 338 around 16" or 18". Although I really want something to push a 200gr+ 30cal around 2900fps, a very maneuverable 338 would be much more practical for my needs.

it would be worth your while to learn how bullets actually react and destroy tissue. faster is better, and makes way more difference than typical hunting diameters can make up for. the 223 thread is a good place to see it all in action.

 

[SloppyJ]

I would chop the 308 to 18". I am pushing a 150gr AB a little above 2800fps with 18" barrel and can, not even close to max load. IMO 6.5 surpressed is a little louder than supressed .308 Good Luck!

What's your load data because that seems like it's really cooking out of an 18" barrel. Just curious because I load for an 20" .308 but I haven't chrono'ed any load data for it. I haven't found a combination yet where I can push the velocity and maintain good accuracy.

 

[SloppyJ]

it would be worth your while to learn how bullets actually react and destroy tissue. faster is better, and makes way more difference than typical hunting diameters can make up for. the 223 thread is a good place to see it all in action.

Thank you for your concern.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

What's your load data because that seems like it's really cooking out of an 18" barrel. Just curious because I load for an 20" .308 but I haven't chrono'ed any load data for it. I haven't found a combination yet where I can push the velocity and maintain good accuracy.

I had to go to an extruded powder, sucks for metering but for some reason ball powder, ie varget, wasn't getting me there. 43.5 grs of imr 3031 gets me to 2820fps, book max is 45gr so I could probably get to 2900fps if I wanted to push it..Its shooting .5moa with that load so I stopped. That velocity is within 55fps of the data on a box of Nosler Trophy Grade 150 gr AB factory ammo. They list the test barrel length for that velocity at 24".

What powder you using?

 

[justinspicher]

Of the options you listed, I’d go with a 308, mainly because that’s what I have experience with and feel I can get the most options with for when it comes to factory loads.

 

[isocyanate]

I'm watching this close. Have a 24" 270 win that stomps. Shoots 136 federal TA at like 3075 fps. Put a cow down with it last year. It's the logical choice, but is wearing a 2-10x42 basic zeiss hunting scope.

The other option is a 16" 308 with a rokslide darling 12x42 swfa. Have shot way more with this gun, and am 100% confident in my dope. Only getting 2450 fps with 178 eld, so I can't shake the feel that it's short on power.

The 270 will probably get the nod again.

 

[OKHunter84]

I know it's not super scientific and anecdotal, but I prefer 30 caliber bullets for larger deer and elk. I would do the 308. I've shot a lot of game with 30-06, 300 WSM, 300WM, and 308. I've also killed several critters with 6.5 Creed. I know there will be guys talking about sectional density, ballistic coefficient and all that jazz. From my personal experience, 30 caliber just kills stuff better.

There's more options for subsonic if you wanted to try it down the road as well. Suppressors are way more fun with subs.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Is it an option to rebore your 308 to 338 Federal? It was mentioned already and I think it would be a great choice. Wouldn’t have to buy a new rifle per se.

He wants to shoot supressed though and for 338 suppressors, there is pretty much 2 choices, massive heavy things meant to suppress 338Wm/LM and then suppressors that don’t really work well at all like the rugged alaskan. 338 federal is cool but you limit your suppressor choice.

 

[Weldor]

I have had both 308 and 6.5 . I would do the 308 heavier bullet for a 400-500 yd shot. Had the winchester xpr suppressor ready in the 6.5 shot great, but the velocities were poor. The Sig cross was a shooter, it liked the 165's and did ok with 150 noslers.

 

[HandgunHTR]

I would chop the 6.5 or the 308. Honestly, I would chop both, but I would go with 17” just because I like odd numbers.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I have an 18” 308 that I shoot suppressed, it gets good velocity with my 165g accubond hand loads and 150g ttsx loads.

I was able to get the barrel threaded with a permanent 5/8x24 adapter so no stupid muzzle brakes or attachment devices.

In the picture it has a banish 30 but I also have a TBAC 7 which is quieter, lighter and nicer