Short barreled 30-06

[Butcherbill]

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

That’s what I’d probably do, I’m a big fan of a 18.5”-20” barrel but if I was buying a 30-06 or a 300WM I’d keep things longer to take advantage the velocity they are capable of doing.

18.5”-20” .308’s are about perfect oal for a hunting rifle, you don’t really give anything up afaik. Yes they’re a bit loud but I wear ear pro anytime I’m shooting, regardless of if it’s shooting targets or hunting. There’s no increase in felt recoil either.

 

[FatCatsDad]

Is there a shop you can send a rifle to, complete minus the stock to get chopped and crowned without a crazy long turnaround time.
I might keep my SS 700 '06 if I can chop it to 18¾".

 

[ShrtRnd]

I might keep my SS 700 '06 if I can chop it to 18¾".

The LSS you were thinking of getting rid of?

 

[FatCatsDad]

The LSS you were thinking of getting rid of?

Yes

 

[ShrtRnd]

Yes

Blasphemy! Haha
That LSS is such a nice rig too as is

 

[FatCatsDad]

Blasphemy! Haha
That LSS is such a nice rig too as is

I haven't decided what I'm doing yet, but yes it's a nice gun.

 

[ShrtRnd]

Any particular reason on the bbl shortening?

 

[Lefty Dick]

I’m running a 20” 760 REM, I manage 2850 fps with 150’s, and 2660 fps with 185’s.
Topped with a 1.5-6x scope it’s my mid to close range favourite.

Kills stuff real good.

 

[ShrtRnd]

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

There’s a host of options avail. Especially if you’re no picky on whether it’s new or used.

Rem 740/742/7400
Rem 760/7600
Rem Mountain
Rem Model Seven
Browning Micro
Winchester M70 Featherweight & XPR Compact
Weatherby Youth & Compact Hunter/Youth Compact Hunter

All should be or are avail in 18-22” Bbl length

 

[dan belisle]

Had an early Rem 700 in 30-06 with the 20 inch carbine barrel. Shot well. Louder of course, and slower, but it certainly worked fine as a hunting rifle. - dan

 

[Snowy Owl]

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?

Well, I did. Remington 700 rifle bought in 1973 - with a 22 inch barrel. Over 6000 rounds on the same original barrel that has been cut twice to finally reach 18.5 inches. The blast and especially the noise are unmistakable and they will remind you with each and every shot that they are still with the rifle. People won't like you at the range. For a .30-06 Springfield rifle, I am now very much in favor of 24 inch barrels, at least - and better yet 26 inch barrels.

If you want short rifle barrels in caliber .30, stay with smaller capacity cases like .308 Winchester and its brothers. Inside 200 meters, the .308 Winchester will do nicely - with impact velocities above 2,000-2,200 fps.

With modern powders and longer barrels, the .30-06 Springfield has become remarkably powerful - about what the .300 H&H was some 50-75 years ago.

 

[todbartell]

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?

30-06 has 30% more case capacity than the 308, so that will see about 7.5% more velocity

My 18.7" 308 shoots 165gr @ 2550 fps, so expect 2740ish fps with a 18.5" 30-06

 

[apexanimal]

The SAR techs used to use a Ruger m77 with a 14.5" barrel in 30-06. Worth looking up as you may find some info that helps you.

 

[Mik123]

I had a 20" 30-06 and the concussive blast was too much for my liking. If only shot it with ear muffs it wouldn't be a problem. For hunting, I'm happy with 22-23" length barrel.

 

[Moose Masher]

I have a Savage 111 30/06 which is cut to 18.5”
It gets 2600 fps with Win silver box 180’s.
My son killed a really nice moose with that rifle a few years ago.

 

[SuperCub]

In 06 I think 20” brl is ideal for velocity and handling.

I agree .... Shorter than 20" is loud and handle like a common garden spade. Short bbl rifles can be butt heavy and not balance right.

OTOH .... I've had four 760s cut to 20". Makes for a very nicely handling rifle.

 

[156821]

I had 2 different 30-06 rifles. One a 24” and one a 20”. With the same load I lost 100fps with the short one. Take from that what you will.

 

[DeadShot519]

I have a 16” 308, an 18.5” 3006, and am going to be cutting the barrel on a 300 win mag to 18.5”. My 18.5” 3006 pushes a 180gr TSX to 2600fps. I get 2400fps out of a 180gr partition in my 16” 308. Hoping to get 2800fps out of a 18” 300win mag. If it doesn’t work out I will rebarrel it to a 18” 338 win mag.

Unless you’re shooting long range, the velocity loss isn’t a concern. After running a short barrel my long barrel rifles don’t leave the house. Don’t listen to all these guys telling you not to do it. My short barrel rifles are much better for carrying through the bush, getting in and out of my side by side etc. you won’t catch me dead hunting with a 26” pipe ever again unless it’s in some serious long range shooting territory.

 

[Dorian Gray]

20" is my preferred barrel length in a bolt action rifle, regardless of cartridge. I'm willing to give up a little performance for, what is to me, a better handling rifle. The way I look at it is, my rifle is carried 99.9% and shot .01% of the time. So while I'm a cartridge and ballistics nerd like most of you here, I value the way my rifle handles more than 100fps at the muzzle, give or take.

Oh, and a 20" barreled 30-06 has been my go-to rifle for the past 5 years. Trying something new this year but haven't been able to connect with anything yet. But if I do, and it doesn't work the way I'd like it to, I can always go back to that -06 and know that it'll do the job just fine for me.

 

[legi0n]

being a 30-06 aficionado, I own 2 rifles chambered as such (used to own more but... the safe is only this big).
at some point I did shorten a barrel to 19" and found it to be obnoxious even with earmuffs. For reasons unknown I have kept that barrel after wearing it out and replacing it with an IBI.
I am wondering if a linear compensator would help.
I can thread that 19" pipe for research reasons if such a compensator is available.