Short barrels on Magnum calibers

tommy88 said:
Like many of you on this forum I'm still in search of the holy grail rifle. I'm sure I'll never find it, but it's fun to try.

I'm interested in an all around rifle in a Magnum caliber that can hunt anything, anywhere in Canada up to 3-400m. And I also like short barrels.

What would you guys recommend?
Click to expand...

338 lapua with the 18" barrel in a desert tech SRS A2 works really well
 
Some magnums, like the 338 Win Mag don't lose that much with a shorter barrel.
Click to expand...


With my 20 inch 338 it is ~25fps per inch for 24 inch barrel with 225 and 200 grain bullets. I found with heavier bullets (especially 275+) it could be super minimal ~12 FPS an inch. Usually using 4831

I might have a “ fast barrel”. With max loads my 275 Speer loads were ~50 FPS off the book velocity

I think 338 works as a “ guide gun” chambering because it fits in a standard actions, can be built into a light gun because of this, shoots heavier than average bullets , can be easily handled in a light gun, is relatively inexpensive components wise and follows the general trajectory of “standard rounds” for follow up at closer distances

I will never, for the life of me understand why 225 bullets are popular as a “do all” load in a chambering with such a diversity of bullet weights, but you could certainly happily hunt deer, moose and probably whatever else with that weight


You could do a lot worse than a 7-8lb scoped 338 with a 20 inch barrel as a do it all Canada gun, but if most of “ all” is going to be white tailed deer I don’t think it would be my first choice (signed someone who moved from Northern BC to Saskatchewan).

Still something appealing about a short barreled, lightweight(ish) 338 wm. Sights, synthetic stock and stainless steel optional.
 
Last edited:
tommy88 said:
Like many of you on this forum I'm still in search of the holy grail rifle. I'm sure I'll never find it, but it's fun to try.

I'm interested in an all around rifle in a Magnum caliber that can hunt anything, anywhere in Canada up to 3-400m. And I also like short barrels.

What would you guys recommend?
Click to expand...

For 12 years I've have a 7mm wsm with 23 inch barrel. Same length as a long action with 22 inch barrel. Very nice handling hard hitting rifle. Short enough for me.
 
My main gun is Ruger mk2 paddle stock 338 win mag with sights added shooting 250g at 2600fps. I like short barrel rifles that depends on calibers. Also use a tc encore in 375hh with 18.5”brl this one is loud but very handy. Worse one for flash, noise and percussion was a tc with 15” brl 3006 and 180g bullet
 
20” is the sweet spot for me, one of my 9.3x62 is a full stock Husqvarna with 20” barrel shooting a 286gr bullet at 2450fps well under moa!! All I need… really!
 
Philthy1 said:
High velocity cartridges in short barrels are just a waste imho.
Click to expand...

Unless it’s a larger bore like 338 and up… a short barreled 30 cal magnum is a bit redundant.

I’ll say again… 350 Rem Mag! The original short mag. It’s one of those cartridges that was way ahead of its time. It’s unfortunate you need to be a reloader to appreciate it.
 
Last edited:
I had my 25" BRNO 602 .375 H&H cut down to 20" and had the front sight reinstalled.

I chronoed it before and after with 270 Federals and it lost around 80 FPS IIRC.

I had to get a shorter front sight. 100 yd leaf prints bang on at 100 yards.

Only drawback is the weight.

Another thing to consider regarding a do all North America hunting carbine is to consider cartridges with higher sectional density. With proper bullet selection and good shot placement, a high sectional density bullet will perform far better in the field than its stats would suggest.

An example would be the 6.5 x 54 MS cartridge with 169 grain soft points. MV only around 2450 fps out of a 17" barrel but it's game killing ability is very good. Ask Karamojo Bell...........

But for a factory rifle I'd just buy a Ruger .375.
 
The Ruger RCM factory ammuntion is made to maximize velocity in short barrels. It's an interesting concept that had limited results and limited success. I bought one because I think they're cool.

bploKpt.jpeg

.300RCM 16.5"
 
While not a magnum, the .358 Win does generate magnum performance out of short barrel rifles, I have had many short barrel magnums, I currently have these two .358's... my other "magnums" are have at least 22" barrels and I would not consider that a "short" barrel.

M77 Mark II Frontier Carbine .358 Win 16.5"
M77 Mark II RLS Carbine .358 Win 18.5"
 

Attachments

  • 20190816_075947.jpg
    20190816_075947.jpg
    61.9 KB · Views: 187
If you do think that 22" is a short barrel in a magnum, I have a plethora of those...

These two are Ruger M77 Mark II rifles with 22" barrels in 6.5 Rem Mag and .350 Rem Mag;
 

Attachments

  • 20220102_091628.jpg
    20220102_091628.jpg
    63.3 KB · Views: 188
I like my .375 & .416 caliber carbines, quick handling & lighter weight: .375 H&H mag Sako 85 Kodiak factory equipped 21-1/4" barrel, .416 Ruger Alaskan factory equipped 20" barrel & custom Zastava .416 Rem mag full stock with 20" barrel only ~50 fps mv loss compared to 24" barrel maybe because .416 RM at overbore index lower end. https://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/overbore-cartridges-defined-by-formula/

https://i.imgur.com/yMqqc7f.jpg / https://i.imgur.com/kssuJAc.jpg / https://i.imgur.com/36lYcKJ.jpg
 
Would have to agree that the best short barrel options for the OP in newer rifles/cartridges would be the Ruger RCM's. Caliber dependent upon his recoil tolerance level.
If mostly hunting to the lighter end of the large game, 300 RCM may make most sense. But if looking to hunt more of the bigger end of large game (mostly moose, elk, and bison, and/or big bears) then the 338 RCm would be the better choice. (Or even the Ruger Guide Gun in 375 Ruger if he prefers larger calibers).
If he prefers older rifles/cartridges, then the Mohawk (Rem 600 or 660, or newer 673) in 350 Rem Mag may be the ticket for him. Or a CZ or Sauer full stocked rifle in 9.3x62. A Steyr Scout rifle in 376 is also an option. Ammo is limited to 2 loads from Hornady, but it is a fun rifle to hunt and shoot(in my customized fullstocked LH Ruger 77 with 21" barrel)!
I do also like the suggestions of the 358 Win...and would add the 338 Federal to that, for most big game out to 3-400 yards. While neither would be legal on bison in BC at 400 yards, they will still work well for the other species to 300 and 400 yards, with less recoil.
While recoil is not an issue for me, as I get older (and hopefully wiser! LOL) I am liking the less recoil of the non-magnums...and having an average shot distance of all gane taken over the past 38 years of just 137 yards...a magnum isn't needed in most circumstances.
 
hoytcanon said:
If you do think that 22" is a short barrel in a magnum, I have a plethora of those...

These two are Ruger M77 Mark II rifles with 22" barrels in 6.5 Rem Mag and .350 Rem Mag;
Click to expand...

Good cartridge choices. My 350 wears a 21" bbl, and i have the parts and reamer here to build a fast twist 6.5 Rem Mag. I should get on that I guess. - dan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom