“Short” Barrels, why not?

[hereinaz]

Who else has built “specialist” long barreled rifles, and is now building shorty guns?

I will soon have rifles on both extremes to pick from.

My main custom hunting rifle is a long range monster. It’s got a 26” barrel plus 7” suppressor. It’s been critical for western hunts where I have used every extra FPS. But, it’s got it’s obvious drawbacks. It will always get then nod for western elk hunts for AZ and CO where I have cross canyon shots. It is so long and way more than I need for deer, I got a shorter 22” barrel coming in a smaller caliber but it matches my long gun ballistically. Saving 4 inches for Coues deer hunts.

Other than those two “long range” barrels for my custom rifle, I think I am pretty much cutting everything else 18” or shorter.

My coyote AR is getting a 14.5” barrel with QD brake pinned.

My switch barrel Howa factory barrel 6cm is 16.5 and my factory 6.5 PRC barrel is getting chopped to 17 or 18.

Given cartridge choices and component/ammo choices these days, who else would cut their barrels shorter?

Seems like if I hunted right timber or woods where shots were all inside 200 yards I would run a 14.5 pinned and welded 6mm of some sort. With suppressor over it.

If I hunted where shots were inside 400 yards I would run a 6 or 6.5 in a 16” with direct thread suppressor.

I think inside 500 yards I could justify an 18” barrel in a short action .308 sized case or short mag for sure.

I got comfortable with the killing power of my long range rifle at the slower terminal velocity and tired of the long barrels. Made me question why wouldn’t I just cut stuff short to go hunt?

What would you arguments be pro or con? With or without a suppressor?

 

[KHNC]

I just had my 7-08 M700 cut down to 16" with a suppressor. My plan is 500yds or less.

 

[DJL2]

Paging @Formidilosus …

I’ll give you my thought before he shows up though. Does the bullet you’re using arrive to the game you‘re hunting with enough velocity to function as intended? The length of the barrel or the case used to make that happen can vary wildly based on personal preference.

There are a huge number of ways to get a projectile out to 600 yds with at least 1800 fps when it arrives. The 108 ELD-M, for example, with starting velocity of 2750 fps gets there with a little to spare. Assuming roughly 2950 fps from 26” (factory 6 CM) and 25 fps lost per inch, you could cut to 18” and still have a 600 yd and change capable rig (or further, if you’re willing to shoot below 1800 fps impact). The 130 grain 6.5 CM family performs similarly. The 140s ”catch-up” and win much past 600, and don’t go transonic/below 1400 fps until ~900 yds if that’s your bag (assumed 2550 fps at the muzzle).

A can is always a pro if you can afford the weight and length. Does more to improve shooting in some instances than a brake does.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Saw the "light" a few years ago when i got my 1st can...for hunting I use a 18" .308 with a 7" can...correct projectile selection will cover 90% of hunting applications. The other 10% I am required by law to use a shotgun...

 

[Marbles]

I like short barrels. My 30-06 is 20.5 breach to muzzle. I'm putting together a 16.5 inch 208.

I do not shoot long range though, so no more interested in the answers of others even though I have little to contribute.

 

[Dos Perros]

I'm by no means an expert, and if I'm being honest I'm an archery hunter. For a rifle I have a .308 I chopped to 19" or so. The intent is to limit shot distance. As an archery hunter I'm comfortable getting to within 300 or 400 yards no problem.

 

[deerhunter628]

Saw the "light" a few years ago when i got my 1st can...for hunting I use a 18" .308 with a 7" can...correct projectile selection will cover 90% of hunting applications. The other 10% I am required by law to use a shotgun...

What projectile did you select for your 18” 308?

 

[XLR]

I have always been a long barrel fan! I have never had a hunting rifle with under a 26-inch barrel. With that being said I just cut down a 6.5 PRC to 18 inches so it is more packable. With that length barrel, I will be able to push a 147 at 2700-2750 which carries 1200 ft-lbs of energy to 750 yds.

I also have a 26-inch 7 Mag barreled action that I can swap onto the same chassis in a couple of seconds and have a long-range bruiser. I am going to be using the PRC this year though for an Elk, Deer, and antelope hunt so we will see how well it performs! It does feel a little funky IMO after all those years of long barrels!

 

[vonb]

I've always hated long barrels. They feel like pole vault poles. However, they are the nature of the beast for long range target shooting.

Most of my hunting in my locale is less than 400 yards and out of a blind. I want something nimble and easy to get into play in tight quarters whether in the stand or in the blind.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

What projectile did you select for your 18” 308?

What are we hunting? Yotes? Pigs? Elk? Deer? Have different projectiles for each application.

 

[CCooper]

I love the additional velocity the extra barrel length brings to the table, but have gotten sick of toting them around. As a short-armed guy (27" DL) I find myself liking a 22", or 24" for balance when taking off-hand shots.

 

[DJL2]

What projectile did you select for your 18” 308?

What are we hunting? Yotes? Pigs? Elk? Deer? Have different projectiles for each application.

I’m not the OP, but I would have no qualms shooting a 168 TMK/ELD-M at pretty much any of the above... maybe 155/175 if I was feeling froggy.

 

[Wrench]

Just finished a 21" 300wsm and a 27" 300win. I think the short guy will see a lot more field time.

 

[Lawnboi]

Short barrels also help balance hunting rifles better when you hang a suppressor off the end.

Nothing like spending the big bucks on a super ultra lite rifle then hanging a one pound weight off the end of a long barrel. The balance is more annoying carrying it than the extra 8 inches.

My hunting guns are 20”,20” and 24”. All suppressed from 5” to 8”.

I think terminal performance needs to be thought about especially above. I’m looking for 2k+ impact velocity. Chopping down a 308 or 223 for normal hunting ranges might drop effective range of most hunters more than say something like a 6.5 prc or a 300wsm.

 

[justinspicher]

I prefer shorter barrels but you have to accept the compromise they bring, and learn to work with them. They aren’t better or worse really, just different in their application. It takes more to shoot a shorter barrel better due to less forgiveness, but again, it’s all a personal preference.

 

[addileehunter]

As long as your in closer and don’t need the velocity it’s great I’ve gotta 16in barreled old rem 760 pump as my brush gun that’s been fluted with synthetic stocks that I’ve killed deer with too 400 perfectly fine chambered in 243 the only thing is once u get past that 350 yrd mark the drop starts to increase a lot with the rounds not being pushed as fast

 

[alpine_troop]

Planning to rebarrel a .308 to 18” because at the elevations and terrains I will hunt with it and the loads I will select, it’ll cover my bases just fine.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Who else has built “specialist” long barreled rifles, and is now building shorty guns?

I will soon have rifles on both extremes to pick from.

My main custom hunting rifle is a long range monster. It’s got a 26” barrel plus 7” suppressor. It’s been critical for western hunts where I have used every extra FPS. But, it’s got it’s obvious drawbacks. It will always get then nod for western elk hunts for AZ and CO where I have cross canyon shots. It is so long and way more than I need for deer, I got a shorter 22” barrel coming in a smaller caliber but it matches my long gun ballistically. Saving 4 inches for Coues deer hunts.

Other than those two “long range” barrels for my custom rifle, I think I am pretty much cutting everything else 18” or shorter.

My coyote AR is getting a 14.5” barrel with QD brake pinned.

My switch barrel Howa factory barrel 6cm is 16.5 and my factory 6.5 PRC barrel is getting chopped to 17 or 18.

Given cartridge choices and component/ammo choices these days, who else would cut their barrels shorter?

Seems like if I hunted right timber or woods where shots were all inside 200 yards I would run a 14.5 pinned and welded 6mm of some sort. With suppressor over it.

If I hunted where shots were inside 400 yards I would run a 6 or 6.5 in a 16” with direct thread suppressor.

I think inside 500 yards I could justify an 18” barrel in a short action .308 sized case or short mag for sure.

I got comfortable with the killing power of my long range rifle at the slower terminal velocity and tired of the long barrels. Made me question why wouldn’t I just cut stuff short to go hunt?

What would you arguments be pro or con? With or without a suppressor?

How many of those long, cross canyon shots would you have not been able to make with a MV starting 100fps lower?

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Short barrels also help balance hunting rifles better when you hang a suppressor off the end.

Nothing like spending the big bucks on a super ultra lite rifle then hanging a one pound weight off the end of a long barrel. The balance is more annoying carrying it than the extra 8 inches.

My hunting guns are 20”,20” and 24”. All suppressed from 5” to 8”.

I think terminal performance needs to be thought about especially above. I’m looking for 2k+ impact velocity. Chopping down a 308 or 223 for normal hunting ranges might drop effective range of most hunters more than say something like a 6.5 prc or a 300wsm.

Completely agree...30 cal bullets are just easier to find these days.

 

[CanyonHunter]

I didn’t care for short barrels until I bought a sig cross in 308. Instantly changed my mind. At average hunting distances for most people it doesn’t hurt much. Just finished a load for it, 137 hammer hunter at 2950 FPS. Not bad for a 16 incher. Right at 1/2 MOA