Carbine vs. Full Length Barrel

Slooshark1

Slooshark1

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I just bought a 7600 in .35 Whelen and I`m thinking about shortening the 22 in barrel to 18.5 in barrel. How will this affect the performance of this cartridge and how will it affect the accuracy? Is this even a good idea? I am planning on using the rifle for a brush gun and a bear defense gun. Maybe a 22 in barrel is good enough.

What are your thoughts on this subject?

Best regards,

Slooshark1
 
I have a 35 whelen bolt action, and love it. I don't think that going to a shorter barrel will affect it much, especially since its a 200 yard gun. It shouldn't be a problem in the bush. Kick like hell though.
 
You'll lose about 100 fps per inch of barrel in velocity and you'll have an increase in muzzle blast and noise. You'll have to re-sight in as well. Maybe have to work up the load again. However, if the barrel is recrowned properly, accuracy should be the same.
 
You'll probably have to work up your loads again. I doubt you'd lose 100fps per inch, that would be almost 400fps slower. Shouldn't be that much. There's not cut and dried formula for how much you'll lose by using a shorter barrel. I'd estimate 250ish fps loss
 
the velocity loss of cutting a Whelen back from 22" to 18.5" could be less than 100 fps. 150 fps tops would be my guess. Whelen is a cartridge with a big bore and medium capacity which uses medium burning powders, you wont lose much speed.

You could expect alot more velocity loss if you were chopping a 25-06 back to 18.5", despite case capacity being the same. :)
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Do you really need to shorten the rifle that much?
What's the average range you intend to hunt over?
I guess 18.5" isn't too bad but it'll probably become a flamethrower.
If you wear good earplugs it may not be a problem I guess.
Problem with a short barrel is that you lose MV and if you increase your load to compensate then the muzzle blast gets worse.
I've seen pics of a 8x57 with a 18" bbl and it belched fireballs!
But, hey, it's your rifle.
I can't help but think, though, that a .444 Marlin or 358 Win may've been a better choice if you wanted a shorter rifle.
 
I am fond of the carbine length barrels.Nice balance in the 760/7600s and fast handling.Your gonna get some muzzle jump and a big boom out of a Whelen.If your shooting is short range put a fire sight up front and a peep on back you should have a winner.If you decide to go the peep route get the one that goes into the scope mount screws provided.Nic clean look.
 
Slooshark1 said:
I just bought a 7600 in .35 Whelen and I`m thinking about shortening the 22 in barrel to 18.5 in barrel. How will this affect the performance of this cartridge and how will it affect the accuracy? Is this even a good idea? I am planning on using the rifle for a brush gun and a bear defense gun. Maybe a 22 in barrel is good enough.

What are your thoughts on this subject?

Best regards,

Slooshark1
Click to expand...

I have a 760 Carbine (18.5") in .308. It is very NOISY, and because of the short bbl, there is a fair bit of muzzle flip on firing. The Whelen would be worse, not un-managable, but still ..........

I also have a 7600 in 35Whelen. I would not cut it down. The Carbine is a bit handier, but not that much to merit cutting up a (hard to find) rifle.

If you just have to have a carbine, buy another 7600 in 30/06 Carbine and load it with 220 grainers and have fun. :D




sc
 
i'm with SC on the noise, 18.5's are loud!
Other than that, you'll only really notice the change in the weight of your wallet.
I hunt with barell lengths from 20 to 29", in heavy cover. Frankly, I don't see the big deal. I do apreciate the longer sight radius of the longer barrel. I like the quick handling of the short barrel. I like the fast steady of the long barrel. And I generally don't even notice the difference in weight.
 
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