I'm playing around with the idea of cutting the barrel of a 30-06 from 21 to 18.5. I know that this caliber isn't usually suggested for a short barrel however I havn't seen any tests or charts that would give me any actual numbers for me to make an informed decision. Has anyone done a barrel chop test?
Short barreled 30-06
- Thread starter tommy88
- Start date
Well there's no reason IMHO, that you can't or shouldn't cut back the barrel on that 30-06 if you really want to.
Just be aware of the reasons you should look at for not doing so.
Reduced, velocities, if that's a consideration for you. Increased muzzle flash and perceived felt recoil, if that bothers you.
I've cut back a few 30-06 barrels for folks that were dedicated "stalk" hunters. All were satisfied with the results.
Accuracy wasn't effected in any of the rifles and may have improved on at least one.
Depending on the twist rate of your barrel, all of the people who had the job done, found that their rifles shot "heavier" bullet weights better, with reduced powder charges from what they would normally load to.
I would say the reason behind this was decreased muzzle blast/flash and less perceived recoil.
The rifles were definitely much easier to handle, but other than that, the few ounces of weight saved weren't noticeable, other than the rifle balanced between their hands, rather than being front heavy.
All of the folks who had these rifles were avid hand loaders and all of them opted for powders which were "bulky" over the powders they had been using previously. None of them were concerned about accuracy beyond 100 yds, as their shots on game were usually well under that distance.
A couple of them were 65+, and had been out of the hiking around "clear cuts" etc, for quite a while, but didn't want to change the rifles they had or were used to, for another rifle. They didn't want to go through the effort of selling/trading, rebarreling to a different cartridge, such as the 308Win or ###ier 6.5 offerings.
OP, I won't tell you not to do this to your rifle, it definitely has several very positive elements.
Just be aware, if you don't handload, you may find your rifle is no longer as easy to shoot consistently well, with factory offerings, and the muzzle blast will become a beast unto itself.
Just be aware of the reasons you should look at for not doing so.
Reduced, velocities, if that's a consideration for you. Increased muzzle flash and perceived felt recoil, if that bothers you.
I've cut back a few 30-06 barrels for folks that were dedicated "stalk" hunters. All were satisfied with the results.
Accuracy wasn't effected in any of the rifles and may have improved on at least one.
Depending on the twist rate of your barrel, all of the people who had the job done, found that their rifles shot "heavier" bullet weights better, with reduced powder charges from what they would normally load to.
I would say the reason behind this was decreased muzzle blast/flash and less perceived recoil.
The rifles were definitely much easier to handle, but other than that, the few ounces of weight saved weren't noticeable, other than the rifle balanced between their hands, rather than being front heavy.
All of the folks who had these rifles were avid hand loaders and all of them opted for powders which were "bulky" over the powders they had been using previously. None of them were concerned about accuracy beyond 100 yds, as their shots on game were usually well under that distance.
A couple of them were 65+, and had been out of the hiking around "clear cuts" etc, for quite a while, but didn't want to change the rifles they had or were used to, for another rifle. They didn't want to go through the effort of selling/trading, rebarreling to a different cartridge, such as the 308Win or ###ier 6.5 offerings.
OP, I won't tell you not to do this to your rifle, it definitely has several very positive elements.
Just be aware, if you don't handload, you may find your rifle is no longer as easy to shoot consistently well, with factory offerings, and the muzzle blast will become a beast unto itself.
I have a Ruger RSI mark 2 in 3006 and I prefer to shoot it with 150 grain bullets since its combined weight is 7.78 lbs with a leupold vx-freedom 2-7x33mm , there is more muzzle flash, however I do not find it un-pleasant to shoot and I am way past 65 and I do not use maxi-pads when shooting it!
- Location
- Western Manitoba
If you look up Phil Sharpe on Internet - can probably find his experiment - I think he started with a 30" 30-06 barrel - 5 or six hand loads, I think - he cut an inch off at a time to determine what he would get - I think he ended up circa 11" barrel. Was likely 1950's - he probably went into the American "short barrel rifle" with that experiment. Parts of that experiment, with similar results, have been undertaken many times since then. You are NOT the first person to consider to shorten a 30-06 barrel.
As I recall reading about it - his experiment was purely about velocity - not about accuracy or precision - and he was from "old days" using a ballistic pendulum to calculate the resulting velocity - the hand arithmetic alone would have been fairly daunting to do - no calculator, no computer - just pencil and paper, as I recall.
As I recall reading about it - his experiment was purely about velocity - not about accuracy or precision - and he was from "old days" using a ballistic pendulum to calculate the resulting velocity - the hand arithmetic alone would have been fairly daunting to do - no calculator, no computer - just pencil and paper, as I recall.
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My first question to you, BEFORE you do this, would be "Why do you want to do this?"
I presume better handling in the bush?
If it is better balance, there are ways to do this without sacrificing external ballistic efficiency.
As Potashminer mentioned, there have been many tests reported on in the past on this very topic.
In any event, the rifle's "BARK" [the muzzle blast & noise] are going to go UP substantially if you go down this path & for whatever reason, some folks equate BARK to felt recoil.
I've sold rifles for this very reason [Lee Speed carbines].
Remember, you can't undo cut metal, at least inexpensively!
By barrel chop test do you mean to ask if anyone has chopped their barrel in steps to measure velocity loss?
If you can't find something like that for 30-06 specifically, try finding something for 308 and 300 win mag, you should be able to extrapolate from those to get an idea of what 30-06 would do.
I say go for it. You're going to be faster than a 308 of the same length barrel, and lots of guys are using 16-18" 308s for hunting without issue.
If you can't find something like that for 30-06 specifically, try finding something for 308 and 300 win mag, you should be able to extrapolate from those to get an idea of what 30-06 would do.
I say go for it. You're going to be faster than a 308 of the same length barrel, and lots of guys are using 16-18" 308s for hunting without issue.
I had a gunsmith make a comment along the lines of (short abrrleed 30-06 are jsut long action 308) in regards to my guide gun, which was a normal length barrel, but longer than most of my rifles
Depending on budegt and optiosn, woudl you be better off keeping your aught six the way it is and getting a short barreled 308?
Depending on budegt and optiosn, woudl you be better off keeping your aught six the way it is and getting a short barreled 308?
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
This. ^^^ I hunted with a Rem 760 carbine 30-06 w/18" barrel yrs ago that shot nicely for me with my 180 gr handloads. Never shot meat
critters past 100 yds with it though.
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The problem with these sorts of comments is they inevitably require comparing the velocities of a short barreled 30-06 to that of a normal 308. Yeah, a 18" 30-06 is like a 308, if that 308 has a 24" barrel.
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I saw the BCL Bronco Howitzer .308 when it was released and thought hey, that looks cool.
Finally decided to buy one in spite of all the doom sayers.
Gotta say i quite like it. Both recoil and muzzle blast are acceptable. Accuracy is just under 3/4 moa at 100 with Barnaul ammunition out of a 9” barrel.
No idea of velocity.
Can’t hunt with it in BC as the barrel is too short.
I think a 14-16” 30-06 is interesting though.
Finally decided to buy one in spite of all the doom sayers.
Gotta say i quite like it. Both recoil and muzzle blast are acceptable. Accuracy is just under 3/4 moa at 100 with Barnaul ammunition out of a 9” barrel.
No idea of velocity.
Can’t hunt with it in BC as the barrel is too short.
I think a 14-16” 30-06 is interesting though.
a bunch of manufacturers have made short barreled 308's. BCL 10.5, 12.5 inch bolt guns. many tactical ones at 16 inch. no reason why it wouldnt work with -06. all things being equal, I suspect it'll be slightly hotter than the 308 counterpart. that may include flash and noise, but with that anyways, you would protect your hearing regardless of caliber.
i had a factory abolt barrel cut down 2 inches, so its around 19 inches now from the bolt face.. ?
im using varget in the 3006 for 180gr loads, so its not "optimum" , in a hot load its about 2550fps ? just using different powder would up that 100fps or so aswell..... it is what i call a 30-08 , as a weirdo it makes sense cos it basically is a hot 308win in a long action lol..
i could almost nearly go 1 inch shorter again as its alot more handy an point shoot / balance is sweet now.. 18.5 would be about it- gets loud on the targets- good from afar
that that with a grain of salt
Obviously gonna give up some velocity...and gain some blast....pretty much end up with a louder harder recoiling 308.
You didnt specify what you are looking to accomplish....I assume it's a lighter faster handling rifle ??
Done competently theres no harm in shortening your barrel .....only you can decide if the tradeoffs are worth it.
If you are happy with the rifle otherwise Id say go for it...this obviously isnt a LR rig so max velocity likely isnt important.
If you arent overly attached to the rifle ...Id sell it off and buy a compact 308....not much a 308 loaded correctly cant do that the odd6 does unless chasing max velocity and or very heavy bullets
You didnt specify what you are looking to accomplish....I assume it's a lighter faster handling rifle ??
Done competently theres no harm in shortening your barrel .....only you can decide if the tradeoffs are worth it.
If you are happy with the rifle otherwise Id say go for it...this obviously isnt a LR rig so max velocity likely isnt important.
If you arent overly attached to the rifle ...Id sell it off and buy a compact 308....not much a 308 loaded correctly cant do that the odd6 does unless chasing max velocity and or very heavy bullets
I had a Sako black bear in 30-06 a while back. Shot my best ever “factory group” with that rifle and Nosler Trophy Grade 165 Accubonds. 5/8” @ 100yards
At 20” barrel it was a joy to carry and maneuver through thick brush.
The muzzle flash was blinding and the concussion was definitely there.
Great to hunt with but not super fun for range practice.
Try it out! You may like it!
I just think there are cartridges more suited for short barrels.
This coming from a guy who likes short .308’s
At 20” barrel it was a joy to carry and maneuver through thick brush.
The muzzle flash was blinding and the concussion was definitely there.
Great to hunt with but not super fun for range practice.
Try it out! You may like it!
I just think there are cartridges more suited for short barrels.
This coming from a guy who likes short .308’s
Thanks for the input guys. Im weighing out my options. Im deciding if I should just get an 18.5in 308 for eastern (green tunnel) hunting and keep my 21inch 30-06 for everything else, or if I could get away with one gun that'll do everything. I like short and light guns, I'm also not particularely flinchy or recoil sensative
I’ve got an 18” 700 in 30-06; bought that way because it was stainless and already converted for 10 round detachable mags. I had a decent stockpile of ammo left in Australia of a load developed for a Cooper with a 24” pipe. 165s at close to 3000 fps.Anyways; I brought my son with me culling and he used up that ammo while I used a mixture of 180s in still another 30-06.
The short barrel shot fine, but the load that was 3000 in the 24” only made 2650 fps in the stubby. Thats the sort of thing that depresses me. Shots were short for the most part so it didn’t matter all that much. He even shot a water buffalo with it, which involved fanning a M700 like a sixgun.
The short barrel shot fine, but the load that was 3000 in the 24” only made 2650 fps in the stubby. Thats the sort of thing that depresses me. Shots were short for the most part so it didn’t matter all that much. He even shot a water buffalo with it, which involved fanning a M700 like a sixgun.
