308 with 16.5" barrel?

G

g-manz35

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Looking at different options in a youth/compact rifle. The Ruger compact has a 16.5" barrel. Anyone out there shoot one of these that can give me their opinion. It will be far all types of N.A. big game. Also wondering if anyone has ever shot one over a chrono?

Thanks. G
 
A hunting buddy uses a Frontier in 308 and it works great! I would not worry too much about the shorter barrel, just make sure the rifle fits well. One thing for sure, the short barrels are sure nice and handy in the thick stuff!
 
I just sold one to gorky, you could pm him if he doesn't reply to this thread. As for me, I test fired that rifle only so can't really add any comment to the thread about a 308. I also have a Frontier in 358 that I've played with a bit and hunted with. My load for that is a Hornady 200 grain sp over Ramshot TAC. Passed over the chrono at just over 2400.. I couldn't get past 2400 with H4895 or IMR3031...
 
Cleftwynd said:
A hunting buddy uses a Frontier in 308 and it works great! I would not worry too much about the shorter barrel, just make sure the rifle fits well. One thing for sure, the short barrels are sure nice and handy in the thick stuff!
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That's all nice and true. But IMHO it's to much of the good thing. I had once a lightweight Rem 788 in 308W with 18,5" (2" longer) long barrel and hated that couple of minutes ringing in the ears ater the shot(s) fired while hunting. I changed the barrel for slightly heavier one and 21" long and it was all good.
 
gunrunner8 said:
That's all nice and true. But IMHO it's to much of the good thing. I had once a lightweight Rem 788 in 308W with 18,5" (2" longer) long barrel and hated that couple of minutes ringing in the ears ater the shot(s) fired while hunting. I changed the barrel for slightly heavier one and 21" long and it was all good.
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That is a good point, he has a Frontier in both 308, and 300 WSM. They are quite loud, but the main purpose is for harvesting meat, not range queens, so the extra bang isn't really a bother. I have stood directly beside his 300 WSM as he took a deer and I never noticed anything more than normal. However working up a load should be done with hearing protection anyway.
 
johnl said:
Love to get a Steyr SSG PIIK. 16" with a muzzle brake too.
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I can not imagine how loud it will be. it is ear-killing for sure. I have a 17 inch barrel in 308, it is loud as hell. Every time I shot at our range, people would stop and look at me. To add a brake on it, it is a cannon.
 
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I was thinking about it for my wife. I was hoping someone woulod metion the noise factor. I don't think she will be a fan of a louder rifle.

Thanks. G
 
I have a Rem 7600P. I love it, it is the hands down best bush gun going with the ghost ring sights. But will my wife like it...absolutly not, It is loud as F**K! I would stick to an 18" carbine, or even a lighter 20" bolt gun. Here come the flames(not from the end of the 16.5" barrel either) but seriously, the added 1.5" does wonders in dropping the decibles.
 
I have the Ruger compact 16.5" barreled rifle in 7.62x39. Muzzle blast isnt too bad. But a 308win would be a different story!

I shoot 150grain Sierras (.308" diameter) from it.
My sister in law used it too shoot her Black bear last spring. (175 yards). One shot kill, ran 30 yards or so.
More than adequate for big game inside 250 yards (approximatley).
 
I had a 7600P which I expected to use as a brush gun. Barked pretty loud at the range, barked even louder while hunting without muffs. BUT...the first time I fired it in dense cover instead of out in the open, I thought my ears would bleed. Probably the single loudest, most damaging muzzle blast I have experienced in several decades of shooting, much of it with what most would consider "big bores". I went back to my 18.5-inch bolt guns. As mentioned earlier in this thread, that 2-inch difference in length makes a big difference in painful muzzle blast.
 
gunrunner8 said:
That's all nice and true. But IMHO it's to much of the good thing. I had once a lightweight Rem 788 in 308W with 18,5" (2" longer) long barrel and hated that couple of minutes ringing in the ears ater the shot(s) fired while hunting. I changed the barrel for slightly heavier one and 21" long and it was all good.
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You're right about that!

I have a 760 Carbine here (18 1/2" bbl) and WOULD NOT go shorter than that. They are loud and obnoxious to shoot. I prefer 20" in a 760 these days.
 
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