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!