Barrel Length Recommendations - Youth Rifle

[Formidilosus]

I bought a Tikka compact 20" barrel in 6.4 CM. I am not a youth shooter, but compact stocks fit me better and the weight savings is worth it in Western Oregon bush where it involves plenty of hiking to hunt deer. I was thinking about threading the barrel for a suppressor, I am intrigued by your comment on cutting the barrel to 16.5" + suppressor. I plan to use this rifle for Elk at some point (<500 yards) does cutting barrel affect bullet performance making the rifle unsuitable for Elk?

No. Ensure that you chosen bullet has enough remaining impact velocity to work at whatever range you want.

 

[Formidilosus]

A 6.5CM is probably ok on elk at 20-22” but you are bleeding velocity as you cut the barrel back. You would probably be very limited on range for bigger animals.

I have used 6.5cm’s from 28” to 12.5”. A 16.5” 6.5 CM has no issues to way beyond what most people would shoot an animal.

 

[Matt5266]

18 to 20" range if it were me. Not any shorter though

 

[orhunter1]

I am a still a novice when it comes to hunting, I killed a deer some 6 yrs ago with guidance from an experienced hunter friend, I used a single shot .223 bolt gun. For the Elk I read the thread where 143gr VLD-X/M is a good round, I suppose I need something lighter for the deer, any recommendations on a bullet to use for the deer. I am not into loading my own bullets, looking for factory ammo.

 

[Unckebob]

I have used 6.5cm’s from 28” to 12.5”. A 16.5” 6.5 CM has no issues to way beyond what most people would shoot an animal.

More velocity + larger diameter/weight bullet (well constructed) is generally a good thing on larger game animals. The 6.5 is on the small side of typical Elk calibers. Therefore, I think more velocity should be a priority.

2 more inches to get a little more velocity is probably a "safety margin" that should be kept if larger game is on the menu.

 

[Unckebob]

I am a still a novice when it comes to hunting, I killed a deer some 6 yrs ago with guidance from an experienced hunter friend, I used a single shot .223 bolt gun. For the Elk I read the thread where 143gr VLD-X/M is a good round, I suppose I need something lighter for the deer, any recommendations on a bullet to use for the deer. I am not into loading my own bullets, looking for factory ammo.

The Hornady 143g Precision Hunter line has the ELD-x in it. My 6.5 loves that load so much that I replicated it as much as possible with my handloads. It is a deer slayer.

 

[Formidilosus]

More velocity + larger diameter/weight bullet (well constructed) is generally a good thing on larger game animals. The 6.5 is on the small side of typical Elk calibers. Therefore, I think more velocity should be a priority.

2 more inches to get a little more velocity is probably a "safety margin" that should be kept if larger game is on the menu.

How many elk have you killed with 6.5’s, what were the bullets, impact velocities, impact location, and animals reaction? What’s your experience with elk and larger calibers?

 

[orhunter1]

I am fine with a 20" barrel if I can get that threaded, I suppose cutting the barrel to 18" or 16.5" would shave off 3-4 oz from the rifle and make up for the added length of the suppressor. Based on my hunter friend most of the shots in our neck of the woods are under 500 yds, and majority of it is within 300 yds tops. What suppressor do you recommend for this rifle.

 

[Formidilosus]

I am fine with a 20" barrel if I can get that threaded, I suppose cutting the barrel to 18" or 16.5" would shave off 3-4 oz from the rifle and make up for the added length of the suppressor. Based on my hunter friend most of the shots in our neck of the woods are under 500 yds, and majority of it is within 300 yds tops. What suppressor do you recommend for this rifle.

Suppressed, shorter is better. I’ve shot 300 mags down to 16”. They worked fine.

I shoot and have used most suppressors on the market. CGS Hyperion or if shorter is desired, the Hyperion K.

 

[orhunter1]

Thank you, based on your experience what would be the velocity of ELD-X/M (Factory ammo) from a 16.5 barrel.

 

[Formidilosus]

Thank you, based on your experience what would be the velocity of ELD-X/M (Factory ammo) from a 16.5 barrel.

2,300-2,450fps MV depending on which bullet and lot number.