Chop to what length?

[Ringbill27]

You said you like the 168gr TTSX. I get almost exactly 2700fps mv from barnes 3006 factory loaded ttsx from my 18” barrel 7600. At roughly 2000’DA that puts me at 2000fps impact velocity right at 400 yards. If I drop to 2650 to account for another 2” of barrel I drop below 2000fps at 375 yards. Therefore, assuming you arent handloading and maybe able to load that hotter, if you want to use that bullet and you want some wiggle room at a full 400 yards, either keep it at 18”+, or get a bit more granular with elevation, etc to make sure you’ll comfortably have enough velocity to expand that bullet.

Thanks this is the kind of info I was looking for. I’ll have to look back in my note and see what velocity I have and whether I have more room for more powder. Leaning very heavy toward 18”.

 

[Ringbill27]

Then who cares about the max range?

Good question honestly. One day I hope to head out west with the 30-06 so I’d like to be able to shoot to 400yd maybe more. And I hunt coppers so I don’t want to lose to much velocity by cutting to much.

 

[112Savage]

I have a Blaser R8 in 30-06. I debated cutting it to 20” rather than the standard 23.5”. I love the velocity that I’m getting with the 178ELDX but if I had a 20” it would be equally effective at 400 yds. Right now I don’t go below 2000fps until almost 600yds at 3000ASL. Knowing what I know now… I would go 20” for 30-06

 

[Steve300xcw]

Good question honestly. One day I hope to head out west with the 30-06 so I’d like to be able to shoot to 400yd maybe more. And I hunt coppers so I don’t want to lose to much velocity by cutting to much.

FWIW people are still killing the hell out of stuff "out west" with 30-30's and even pointy sticks.......

 

[ACHILLES]

I’m ordering two omega 300s and I have a Tikka 30-06 I’d like to chop but I’m concerned the going to 16” make effect my max range too. I always figured it would be 400yd and in rifle and it likes the 168TTSX. I believe my velocity is right around 2900. Is a 16” 30-06 a good idea?

Also have a Tikka 243win 20” I’m thinking of chopping as well. I’ve got the 95gr partition going right 3000fps. Should I be worried about going to 16”?

Both rifles will spend 95% of their life’s shooting whitetail at 100yds and in. With the 30-06 chasing elk and the 243win going for coyotes the other 5%.

I could be over thinking as most can do on here.

Thanks

For mostly 100 yards and maybe to 400. 16” for both with the omega, the only real advantage 18” would give is it’s just ever so slightly quieter. I’ve hunted with both a 16” 30-06 and 243win for a while now with a hta chameleon which is similar in size to the omega. 400 yards is easy for either. The 215gr berger running 2530fps mv doesn’t hit 1800fps until 700yds at 3000DA. My short 06 does well out to 750yards shooting steel. And the 16” 243win running 55s has no drop out to 300yards and still blows massive holes in coyotes at that range.

30/06 loads
215 berger
RL17 2530fps
RL26 2540
H4350 2420

185jugg
H4350 2630

125nosler bt
Varget 3200


243win
87gr bthp 3050fps

55gr Nosler bt
3625fps

69gr absolute hammer
3450

Factory monarch 100gr
2700fps