Short barrel magnum data

crich

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Yes, we all understand that a short barrel is handicapping a magnum cartridge a little bit. For the people that have them I assume that the convenience outweighs any velocity loss. With that out of the way 😄...

I'd like to hear what you guys are getting numbers wise on various short barrel magnum rifles. Caliber doesnt really matter. A lot of threads have mostly speculation ragarding X-fps per inch lost but here and there someone will chime in with real data from their 18" 300wsm etc.
 
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AkRyan

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There is a thread on this already but I can't remember the name. I have a 18in 300wsm that I get 2850 from federal premium with 180 accubond.
 
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I get 2,900 plus change from the Norma factory 180 grain Bondstrike ammo out of my 20” 300 WSM. Haven’t chrono’d any other loads.
 

nashearer

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There is a thread on this already but I can't remember the name. I have a 18in 300wsm that I get 3850 from federal premium with 180 accubond.
Are you sure you didn't mean 2850? 3850 seems a bit fast for that cartridge, especially out of a 18" barrel.
 
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I'm very interested in this topic as well. I have a Dead Air Nomad LT in jail and I want to build a hunting rifle around it. An 18 inch 300wsm is at the top of my short list. So, please share!
 
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crich

crich

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There is a thread on this already but I can't remember the name. I have a 18in 300wsm that I get 3850 from federal premium with 180 accubond.
I imagined there would be but could not find it.
 
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crich

crich

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I'm very interested in this topic as well. I have a Dead Air Nomad LT in jail and I want to build a hunting rifle around it. An 18 inch 300wsm is at the top of my short list. So, please share!
There's a few threads on guys asking about the best caliber/cartridge for short barrels but a lot of it is anecdotal. It seems the bigger bores tend to lose the least velocity but itd be nice for straight data of different combos to be posted in one place... if it isnt already. If anyone has a thread link please post it.
 

541hunter

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AkRyan

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I get 2,900 plus change from the Norma factory 180 grain Bondstrike ammo out of my 20” 300 WSM. Haven’t chrono’d any other loads.
Interesting I could only get 2750 from the norma. I am at about 1kft elevation.
 
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crich

crich

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I can’t tell if you only want wsm data or not but my current 300 prc load in my 21” barrel is a 215 hybrid @2850
Looking for anything really. I have developed an obsession with short barrels and am looking to step up from my short action cartridges pushing 140g bullets at barely 2600fps. And suppressing my 24-26" barrels is a bit cumbersome.
 
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As a general rule, you will lose 20-25 fps per inch of barrel you remove, or gain 20-25 fps per inch of barrel that you add. There are a lot of variables in this question such as powder burning rates, tight / loose bores in rifles, how many rounds already down the barrel, etc.

You will get random people claiming different results, but they are either outliers or just wrong with the data they are giving. Or using ridiculously dangerous loads.
 

rcalmus

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Apr 6, 2020
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Getting just over 2900 pushing a 168 Vld with an 18” benchmark. 7 SAUM.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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I replaced a 25" barrel in 6.5 saum with a 16" with the same freebore etc.
My same load with 142s and H1000 went from 3050 to 2850, -200 fps with -9" of barrel.
I switched to RL26 and now I'm sending 144 Bergers at 2925.
It blows people's minds how quiet, and effective it is with a 9" suppressor.

I ordered an 18" 284 win prefit for my other Tikka, should get 2650-2700 with 168-175s
 

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