20 inch barrel for 30-06? Effectiveness? Pro's and Con's

I really like a 20" barrel on a non-magnum general hunting rifle. The .308 will likely give you proportionally less marginal velocity loss but for me its a non-issue. I would happily use 20" .30-06.
 
Short barrels are a current fad in hunting rifles. 22" is already short, and to me 20" is often too short for ideal handling in many situations. Consider that a good upland bird shotgun has 26-28" of barrel, is very often used in the brush, and carried in the hands more and generally fires more shots in a typical day than a rifle does. Skilled shotgunners don't cut down the barrels on guns used for serious wingshooting because it inhibits proper handling and swing.
A short, muzzle light rifle is a real bouncy tool when trying to shoot smoothly and accurately offhand or from most field positions. However, I shoot six different 20" full stock carbines, and I like them in the bush, They are not too muzzle light because of the extra wood up front aids balance. In a standard "half stock" rifle I much prefer 22" or 24" barrels for good handling. If you always shoot with rest, it makes no difference.
 
Longwalker said:
Short barrels are a current fad in hunting rifles. 22" is already short, and to me 20" is often too short for ideal handling in many situations. Consider that a good upland bird shotgun has 26-28" of barrel, is very often used in the brush, and carried in the hands more and generally fires more shots in a typical day than a rifle does. Skilled shotgunners don't cut down the barrels on guns used for serious wingshooting because it inhibits proper handling and swing.
A short, muzzle light rifle is a real bouncy tool when trying to shoot smoothly and accurately offhand or from most field positions. However, I shoot six different 20" full stock carbines, and I like them in the bush, They are not too muzzle light because of the extra wood up front aids balance. In a standard "half stock" rifle I much prefer 22" or 24" barrels for good handling. If you always shoot with rest, it makes no difference.
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BC a 16 inch Winchester trapper was king in the bush
old photos
my turkey barrel fore prohunter is 20 inches 223 is 14 so is my 308



I have to go out in two week for my first hunt of the year need 7 deer for a family potlatch
deer season bin open for over a month now on Haida Gwaii





I know this doe is small I don't usually shoots such a small Deer I got it right before I had eye surgery
I was almost completely blind at the time so I had to do with wat works and work with in my limitations at the time

 
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carverk said:
I have to go out in two week for my first hunt of the year need 7 deer for a family potlatch
deer season bin open for over a month now on Haida Gwaii
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How is it possible to have a legal deer hunt at the very same time of year that the does are nursing newborns?
 
SuperCub said:
Weird ....... Never heard of a spring deer hunt before.

You mention having a family potlatch so I assume you are native. Does this hunt apply to all population or native?
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Haida Gwaii we have the best and longest deer hunting in all of Canada as a non-haida the bag limit is 15 deer
the potlatch is open to every one we feed and gift every one shood be about 500 people or more at a headstone moving
deer bin open for a month already to every one
its early so just getting what we need for the potlatch then weight for fall
we let the weight guys get first kick at the can
 
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brybenn said:
Some of those deer look like the size of our coyotes here in swo. Whats the average weight for an adult buck?
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you can eat your coyotes if you like but I bet are dog deer taste better
big one will dress out to 100 lb average about 50lb to 60 lb
the average hunter on haida gwaii will kill 15 deer or more each year
most guys will hunt with 30-06 with 20 inch barrel
 
carverk said:
you can eat your coyotes if you like but I bet are dog deer taste better
big one will dress out to 100 lb average about 50lb to 60 lb
the average hunter on haida gwaii will kill 15 deer or more each year
most guys will hunt with 30-06 with 20 inch barrel
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I'd use a 308.
 
carverk said:
you can eat your coyotes if you like but I bet are dog deer taste better
big one will dress out to 100 lb average about 50lb to 60 lb
the average hunter on haida gwaii will kill 15 deer or more each year
most guys will hunt with 30-06 with 20 inch barrel
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I bet a compact SS rifle in 260 would be ideal.
What is the average distance for shooting?
 
ruger22 said:
I bet a compact SS rifle in 260 would be ideal.
What is the average distance for shooting?
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I had a 260 compact SS it's a wicked rifle for the coast but I had to sele it
We keep the shots under a 100 yards so deer drop wear thay stand if thay wonder off at all it can take all day to find one deer in the thick salal if your lucky to find it at all
We take mostly make head shots or neck shots to plant them quickly
On the coast caliber is not such a big deal I spent years hunting with 22lr but I had to keep shot under 35 yards
 
For me, the benefits of a compact rifle outweigh the drawbacks... this is why I love the Ruger International platform so much, both No.1 (20") and M77 (18.5"), not to mention the M77 Ultralight (20") and M77 Compact and Frontier models (16")... for carrying, handling and mounting they are as sweet as it gets, so I give up a little velocity, the game doesn't notice, and there is a little more noise, I don't notice... and all of these rifles are accurate... what's not to love.
 
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