“Short” Barrels, why not?

[thinhorn_AK]

My main hunting rifle right now is a 20" .308 with a 7" can. I thought about going 18", but I'm real happy with it as is. I think 20" is a good compromise. I just shoot soft bullets to compensate for the low velocity. I'd like to have the same setup in 300WSM someday.

How low of a velocity are you talking about? How much did you lose compared to using. 22” barrel?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

How short would you all go with a 300 win mag? 22”? Less?

 

[Formidilosus]

How short would you all go with a 300 win mag? 22”? Less?

I’ve shot 300 mags that were way short. 18” is about where I would generally stop. 18-20” is a good place for magnums.

 

[49ereric]

My Remington 722 was shortened from 24” to 18” by someone probably when it was reamed to .308. Woods-brush gun it is ideal but loud.
my 6.5 rremington mag came with a 16” barrel,never made sense to me. Bought it used from an older friend years ago. Jap type 44 action but with the Remington barrel.
must have been cheap way to go.

 

[Antares]

How low of a velocity are you talking about? How much did you lose compared to using. 22” barrel?

178gr ELDX at 2590
168gr AMAX at 2610

Factory loads

 

[thinhorn_AK]

178gr ELDX at 2590
168gr AMAX at 2610

Factory loads

Yeah that sucks.

 

[Marbles]

178gr ELDX at 2590
168gr AMAX at 2610

Factory loads

As Hornady lists the 178 gr ELD-X 308 Precision Hunter at 2600 fps from a 24 inch barrel, sounds like you do not loose much from a 20 inch barrel.

The 168 gr AMAX Hornady Black is listed at 2700 fps from a 24 inch barrel, so that loading appears to loose a bit more.

Of course that assumes those are the factory loadings you are referring to, and a test barrel is not a true reference point to judge change off of.

 

[Antares]

Yeah that sucks.

Agreed, hence my interest in switching to 300WSM someday.

That said, it still works good. I have to add an extra click or two of elevation and try to keep shots a little closer, but I've tipped over a lot of blacktails with shorty .308s.

 

[bmicek]

Been a big fan of short barrels. This is my 16” 308. I have a 900 yard range that I can reach out and hit the plate with the short 308 barrel. I have a fast twist 18” 458 American barrel on the way to shoot the heavies, up to 730gr for fun.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Been a big fan of short barrels. This is my 16” 308. I have a 900 yard range that I can reach out and hit the plate with the short 308 barrel. I have a fast twist 18” 458 American barrel on the way to shoot the heavies, up to 730gr for fun.

View attachment 426448

That DT is begging for a muffler.

 

[bmicek]

That DT is begging for a muffler.

 

[WeiserBucks]

View attachment 426452

That's more like it, I was beginning to question your thought process. Love those rifles.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I’ve shot 300 mags that were way short. 18” is about where I would generally stop. 18-20” is a good place for magnums.

Have you ever cut a 30-06 back to 18”? Would you expect the same ~20fps/inch of velocity loss for that particular cartridge? I have a tikka 30-06 on the way as a project gun, I plan to chop it, do a few other small mods to it and put my suppressor on it. Doubtful I’ll do much shooting past 3-400yds.

 

[Formidilosus]

Have you ever cut a 30-06 back to 18”? Would you expect the same ~20fps/inch of velocity loss for that particular cartridge?

Yes sir, and yes sir. Depending on powder of course.

 

[CoStick]

Have any of you actually chopped a .270 win? I am close to committing going from 24” to 20”. If it only loses 20 fps an inch, no brainer for sure. Ordering a ultra 7 for it next week. Thank you

 

[SBR Sarge]

My deer hunting is in wooded areas and the longest shot I’ve ever taken was about 105 yards, so long range performance is not a concern.

I like short, handy guns and my current is a 12” 350 Legend with a can on it.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Most of the tests I have seen on short barrels are without a can...A can does increase velocity, last testing I saw for a .308 was about 20FPS, just something keep in mind.

 

[SBR Sarge]

Most of the tests I have seen on short barrels are without a can...A can does increase velocity, last testing I saw for a .308 was about 20FPS, just something keep in mind.

I can’t find my data, but I seem to remember that on my suppressed guns I get a modest (10-20fps) boost from the can too, long with some degree of POI shift.

It is definitely worth chrono-ing and POI testing both with and without the can

 

[PanhandlePilgrim]

Just got this back from the Smith. 22" Barreled 30 Nosler. I got 2850 with 215 Bergers and 2780 with 225 eldms before sending off to get a Plus P Chamber.

 

[CApighunter]

Just got this back from the Smith. 22" Barreled 30 Nosler. I got 2850 with 215 Bergers and 2780 with 225 eldms before sending off to get a Plus P Chamber.

H1000? Saami reamer or throated longer?