Barrel Length Choice Verification

[TX_Mike D.]

So, I'm looking at sending some of my rifle barrels to Country Custom Metalsmithing in NV (unless someone can recommend someone as good in Texas) to get them chopped down and threaded for suppressor use and want to see if my research (mainly from this forum) is still in agreement with the more knowledgeable people here.

Note that I usually hunt in south Texas where the shots are inside 200 yards due to thick brush. I prefer to have the rifles capable to hunt out to 400-500 yards and punch paper out to 1,000 yards. I still want to be able to comfortably shoot the rifles without the suppressor since I only have one suppressor currently (will be adding more as funds allow) and multiple family members hunt with these rifles.

The rifles and barrel length modifications I am looking at are:

1. Tikka Roughtech 6.5 CM- down to a 18" barrel from 24"

2. Kimber Montana 300 WSM- down to a 20" barrel from 24"

3. Remington 700 "Tactical" .308- down to a 20" barrel from 24"(I'm not sure I even want to cut this one down because it's so heavy it's really only a bench/blind gun)

4. Tikka 3Tx .223- I know this one will not reach 1,000 yards, but is it even worth cutting down from its current 20" barrel length? It seems pretty handy at this length, but I haven't gotten the suppressor in hand to try on it yet.

If you have any other recommended lengths, I am happy to hear about them.

Apologies for length and since this has been brought up a lot in the past. Just trying to get it right the first time...

 

[Steve300xcw]

1st...a guy can have a ball at 1k with a 223...

I'm not a suppressor guy. With bolt guns I like 18" for most things.

 

[RockAndSage]

So, I'm looking at sending some of my rifle barrels to Country Custom Metalsmithing in NV (unless someone can recommend someone as good in Texas) to get them chopped down and threaded for suppressor use and want to see if my research (mainly from this forum) is still in agreement with the more knowledgeable people here.

Note that I usually hunt in south Texas where the shots are inside 200 yards due to thick brush. I prefer to have the rifles capable to hunt out to 400-500 yards and punch paper out to 1,000 yards. I still want to be able to comfortably shoot the rifles without the suppressor since I only have one suppressor currently (will be adding more as funds allow) and multiple family members hunt with these rifles.

The rifles and barrel length modifications I am looking at are:

1. Tikka Roughtech 6.5 CM- down to a 18" barrel from 24"

2. Kimber Montana 300 WSM- down to a 20" barrel from 24"

3. Remington 700 "Tactical" .308- down to a 20" barrel from 24"(I'm not sure I even want to cut this one down because it's so heavy it's really only a bench/blind gun)

4. Tikka 3Tx .223- I know this one will not reach 1,000 yards, but is it even worth cutting down from its current 20" barrel length? It seems pretty handy at this length, but I haven't gotten the suppressor in hand to try on it yet.

If you have any other recommended lengths, I am happy to hear about them.

Apologies for length and since this has been brought up a lot in the past. Just trying to get it right the first time...

I had rifle rebuilt/customized by Paul (Country Custom), and recommend him highly. Cut, threaded, gun coated, new stock bedded, flush-cup sling swivels installed. Barrel was a lighter weight profile, cut from 22" down to 18", and needed an adapter/shoulder to be done right. Excellent work all around.

Regarding barrel lengths, it depends on what you need a bullet to do, and what kind of bullet you're shooting for that. As long as the bullet has enough velocity at its intended distance to open up violently on animals, go as short as you want. Nothing wrong with any of the lengths you suggested, but you could still go a bit shorter and not have any problems killing animals out to 500yds with any of the cartridges you suggested. Shorter is handier with suppressors though, and I'd do 16" on the .223, or even 14" if you don't have an issue SBR-ing it.