Short barrel??

wgipdog

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Jun 17, 2025
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I am trying to get advice on my next rifle would like 16 to 18 inch barrel. I prefer 7mm-08 maybe 6.5prc? Currently have a 16" 6.5 creedmoor, 18" 300 wsm 20" 308 for short barrels looking to change it up a little. Brands? Trying to stay under 1500$ thanks for the input!!
 
Everyone knows a short barrel can’t kill animals or hit targets beyond 100 yards.

If you still insist on short barrel, then a new Tikka with a barrel from LS Wild would be within your budget.
 
7mm08 is a great cartridge. since this is rockslide just get a tikka and cut the barrel down to whatever length you like. I'm not a big fan of short barrels but that is my personal preferance. 7mm08 should work great in a shorter barrel.
 
16" on a bolt gun is a bit too whippy IMO. I really like 18" though.

As to brand. I prefer Milwaukee
 
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I am trying to get advice on my next rifle would like 16 to 18 inch barrel. I prefer 7mm-08 maybe 6.5prc? Currently have a 16" 6.5 creedmoor, 18" 300 wsm 20" 308 for short barrels looking to change it up a little. Brands? Trying to stay under 1500$ thanks for the input!!

I have a .223 Tikka getting cut to 16” right now. With a suppressor on it, it’s going to be an awesome little rifle. I don’t like short, unsuppressed barrels. Too much blast.

If I was in your situation, I would look really hard at the Eurooptic sales on Sauer 100s and Tikkas. Then get the rifle cut and threaded for $150 or thereabouts.


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“Keep on keepin’ on…”
 
Hunting guns I want 16-18” barrels.

Most of my dedicated back country guns are all going 16” and suppressed.
 
Savage and Ruger have factory flavors in 20" already threaded if you don't want to mess around with smithing after the fact.

I've been interested in the 20" Savage Hunter Lite in 6.5 PRC, swap to a Magpul stock and MDT mags. Ruger has their American Gen II offering as well.
 
I am trying to get advice on my next rifle would like 16 to 18 inch barrel. I prefer 7mm-08 maybe 6.5prc? Currently have a 16" 6.5 creedmoor, 18" 300 wsm 20" 308 for short barrels looking to change it up a little. Brands? Trying to stay under 1500$ thanks for the input!!
I usually have the barrels cut or made to 17". 7mm-08 is great, but I would recommend going with a 6.5 PRC. Its the easy button. EuroOptic has a Tikka SS for $699, and there's a $75.00 rebate from Tikka currently. It cost me $135.00 to have the barrel cut and threaded.
 
Get the gun you want and send it to kampfeld to get cut and threaded. You’ll be limited looking for factory rifles with threaded 16-18” barrels.
 
Do the ballistics calculations and see if the barrel length is capable of doing what you intend to use it for.. if so there are a ton of quality rifles availabke under your price point, just need to see if they make one with the barrel length you want, otherwise you will need to send it to a smith to get cut down.
 
7-08 isn't really different enough from 6.5cm to be worth it IMO. If you're stuck on it, 7-08ai or 260ai would be a cool upgrade.
 
Everything I've done for years and will continue to do is chop and thread at 18 inches. My all around personal favorite length
 
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