Chop Time for Tikka 7-08

[steelheadmike]

I'm finally jumping into suppressors and will be cutting down my factory 7-08. I've read every thread here and it's been making my head hurt.

Any reason to not go 18"?

I'm not going shorter but I might go longer. Part of me wants to go to 20" to preserve a little velocity. But realistically, the ~50fps in velocity loss won't matter much at the distances I hunt at. I typically shoot 140gr and I'll have a 6.75" can.

 

[wind gypsy]

22" + 7" can was too much for me to the point I stopped hunting with a suppressor until i got an 18" barrel.

I could see doing 20" if I really wanted to get the velocity but 18" is a good place to be IMO.

 

[Beaverdog]

I’m at 20” for my suppressor rifles and that is definitely the max I would go. Anywhere 18”-20” is what I would recommend.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Agree. I just ran the numbers on the 162 ELDs, and assuming 150 fps loss from chopping 6" off a 24" barrel, a max load of SB 6.5 should still deliver around 2650 MV. That carries 1800 FPS to a little over 800 yards.

With a 140 you should be absolutely fine, and I may do the same. My can is 7", and 29" total length with current 22" barrel would be pretty uncomfortable for anything but stand hunting.

 

[HandgunHTR]

I went to 17.5" on my Encore barrel in standard 7-08 and my 7-08AI barrel is 20". At 18" you should have no problem getting a 140 grain bullet to 2650, which is more than enough for most hunting situations.

If you are hunting deer or black bears and want a bit more velocity, drop down to a 120 grain Nosler BT and let'r rip. Those bullets are absolute hammers on deer and bears. Would probably work on elk too, but I don't have any personal experience there.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Be a rebel and cut it to 19".

 

[Dos Perros]

Be a rebel and cut it to 19".

That's exactly what I did on my 308.

 

[z987k]

I do all barrels at 18" anymore.

 

[z987k]

Agree. I just ran the numbers on the 162 ELDs, and assuming 150 fps loss from chopping 6" off a 24" barrel, a max load of SB 6.5 should still deliver around 2650 MV. That carries 1800 FPS to a little over 800 yards.

With a 140 you should be absolutely fine, and I may do the same. My can is 7", and 29" total length with current 22" barrel would be pretty uncomfortable for anything but stand hunting.

With the right powder, a 140gr Nosler BT should run north of 2800 out of an 18in barrel. And in any case 2700+ from a lot of the single base powders.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

With the right powder, a 140gr Nosler BT should run north of 2800 out of an 18in barrel. And in any case 2700+ from a lot of the single base powders.

Roger that man, a quick look on Hodgdon reloading center has max load of SB 6.5 and 140s running at 2976 MV from a 24" barrel. Subtract 150 for 18" barrel and you're still gonna be around 2800.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Be a rebel and cut it to 19".

I ordered a 284WIN at 19" when faced with this same decision about chopping my 7-08 down, lol.

 

[Antares]

I do all barrels at 18" anymore.

Same. I think 18" is the sweet spot.

 

[9.3koolaid]

I went to 20", seems like 4" too long for anything I do.

 

[Wyo_hntr]

Go 18. No reason not too.

 

[turbobrick]

I had a 260rem cut to 16" for my nieces and nephews to hunt with suppressed. Velocity loss wasn't too bad, I'd do it again. I went down a weight class in projectile and switched to monos, so velocity is really good.

 

[HandgunHTR]

Roger that man, a quick look on Hodgdon reloading center has max load of SB 6.5 and 140s running at 2976 MV from a 24" barrel. Subtract 150 for 18" barrel and you're still gonna be around 2800.

A point of interest here, I have loaded SB 6.5 in a 6.5 Creed, 7-08AI, 7-08, and 338 Sherman Mega and have yet to get anywhere near Hodgdon's published velocities at the loads listed (even when compensating for shorter barrels). I have been able to load above max on a couple of them without hitting pressure due to custom throats and being able to seat out a bit, but Hodgdon's published numbers for that powder are rather suspect based on my experience.

 

[Elite]

A point of interest here, I have loaded SB 6.5 in a 6.5 Creed, 7-08AI, 7-08, and 338 Sherman Mega and have yet to get anywhere near Hodgdon's published velocities at the loads listed (even when compensating for shorter barrels). I have been able to load above max on a couple of them without hitting pressure due to custom throats and being able to seat out a bit, but Hodgdon's published numbers for that powder are rather suspect based on my experience.

I agree with this. Fastest I could push a 150 ablr was 2780 fps out of a 20”


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[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Terrible lighting, but I just got mine back and re-assembled. It’s chopped to 18” plus muzzle device. Picking up can tonight!

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Got out to beat the heat in my backyard range and fired first groups with 18" T3x and KGM R30T can.

Temp. 78 with real feel 88

100 yard target and 1.5”ish bullseyes (shaded the inside of a roll of electrical tape)

1. Bottom middle target shot 3 shots to check zero. Adjusted .5 Mils right.

2. Top right target shot 3 shots to check zero. Adjusted .1 mils right.

3. Top middle target shot 14 to establish a cone. All 14 landed within 1.5”.

Next session I'll probably come down .2 mils and see where they land, but other than that, she's looking great! I'll also bust out the chrono and check velocity. Neighbors range only runs to 250 right now with beans up, but I'll true velocity this fall at range after the crops come out.

Brass is 1x fired nickel plated Federal Premium .308 I necked down in one pass with Hornady FL die
CCI LRP primers
Hornady Micrometer seating die
Hornady digital powder dispenser/scale
150 grain Federal Fusions (Midway factory overrun)
Staball 6.5

 

[Coopsdaddy]

18 on 30/06
16.5 on 6.5cm