TrevorMack
Regular
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Debating on getting my new barrel finished at 20'' or 22''. The rifle is a 7mm-08, would the 20'' be enough or should I go with the 22''
Barrel Length Opinion
- Thread starter TrevorMack
- Start date
For 7mm-08 I would go with a 22" barrel over the 20," but it depends on what your use is for the rifle... if you are expecting shots in tight cover under 200 yards, 20" might be the ticket... but if you are shooting 200-300 yards, you might as well squeeze a little more out of the round with a 22" barrel.
I'd cut the barrel for the best overall balance of the rifle, and I usually find that at 22". Having said that, a 20" barrel sure wouldn't bother me either. Build for balance and practicality, everything else falls into place.
In the spirit of the season, you'll find that old farts, and fudds prefer longer barrels over shorter ones! (please see above posts)
What rifle brand/type/model is it, and what is the intended use?
R.
In the spirit of the season, you'll find that old farts, and fudds prefer longer barrels over shorter ones! (please see above posts)
What rifle brand/type/model is it, and what is the intended use?
R.
TrevorMack
Regular
- Location
- Nova Scotia
I'd cut the barrel for the best overall balance of the rifle, and I usually find that at 22". Having said that, a 20" barrel sure wouldn't bother me either. Build for balance and practicality, everything else falls into place.
In the spirit of the season, you'll find that old farts, and fudds prefer longer barrels over shorter ones! (please see above posts)
What rifle brand/type/model is it, and what is the intended use?
R.
Rem 700 action everything else different. Going for lightweight mountain rifle.
With a 20" bbl you will loose ~60 ft/s over the 22", 2700 vs. 2760 ft/s with a 140 TTSX and ~41 grs of Varget.. Nodes can be found with in the pressure limits of the 7mm-08.
In addition to the above model I'd run the bullet you want to use through a ballistic app to see if it suits your activity and if the 60 ft/s is meaningful.
Also, if you use a 140gr Accubond you will stay within design pressure and gain ~50 ft/s (~42grs Varget) and have the benefit of a higher BC bullet.
In addition to the above model I'd run the bullet you want to use through a ballistic app to see if it suits your activity and if the 60 ft/s is meaningful.
Also, if you use a 140gr Accubond you will stay within design pressure and gain ~50 ft/s (~42grs Varget) and have the benefit of a higher BC bullet.
Last edited:
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Even on a "bush rifle" I've never had an issue with longer barrels. An ounce or two of weight just doesn't make that much difference to me.
What are the intended victims, and do you reload, bro? : )
Intended bullet and weight?
Target weight of rifle and scope?
R.
The 7-08 is one of the most under powered 7mm cartridges out there. It has less case capacity than the 284 Win, 280 Rem, and of course all the magnums. I would suggest using barrel length to make up for some that lack of power. 24-26" would be my choice. I've never noticed barrel length or a few oz of weight to be a problem when hunting.
TrevorMack
Regular
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Not 100% sure yet just a project im working on. Live in NS so all we have are whitetail and black bear so those and a sheep hunt eventually. Just something fun to play around with, just starting to get set up to reload. Ive read the 7mm08 preforms best with 120-140 gr bullets so will play around with those. Looking to get the rifle around 6lbs +- scoped and loaded.
Yup, about 10% more muzzle pressure/blast than the 22" bbl, doesn't help the 'flinch' factor.
Ok. In that case, the smaller, faster bullets will do just fine, and in order to meet your weight requirements, you'll pretty much have to go with a 20" barrel.
You'll make plenty of speed with the 120's to get done what needs doing.
R.
If he wants to hit 6 pounds, with scope, he'll need both. If just 6 pounds, without scope, then it doesn't really matter.
You know this already, right?
R.
Lots out there have discovered that 20" and even shorter barrels are remarkably easy to get to shoot. The case in question is a 7-08, and the bullet weights are 120 to 140 grains. It isn't a 30-06, a 300WM, or a 7MM RM. It's a 7-08, and it will do just fine with a 20" barrel.
R.
