Short Barrel accuracy impact?

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Jmcc

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So I've seen a few short barrel 783's on here and I really like the look of them.
They look like they'd be fantastic for heavy bush carry!

Obviously there is accuracy impact with a shorter barrel but by how much?

Id be looking at one chambered in 308
 
The only possible impact on accuracy would be if you were shooting out to 800 plus yards and the lower velocity bullet went subsonic. You might be able to hold a heavier, longer barrel more steadily, but that's debatable. A shorter barrel would whip less as the bullet travels down it and be inherently more accurate.
 
Your looking at about 20 FPS per inch, on average.
So if the data is for a 24 inch barrel , then subtract about 20 FPS per each inch in reduction
 
45C said:
Your looking at about 20 FPS per inch, on average.
So if the data is for a 24 inch barrel , then subtract about 20 FPS per each inch in reduction
Click to expand...

so if I went with a 12 inch barrel id be losing 8%-9% (ish) ??

so would that just mean it would start to drop a bit sooner. And I could likely compensate most of that with different ammo. Assuming i knew the distance i would typically shoot at
 
My target gun has a 20" barrel (.223) and my "current" bush gun in .308 is only 16". Both would be considered very accurate for their class despite shorter barrels, the .223 will same-hole or cloverleaf 69gr Matchkings all day and the .308 will put a magazine of Sako-loaded 150gr soft points right on the edge of 1 moa. I don't think adding another 4-6 inches to either barrel will have any effect on accuracy one way or another.

Velocity reduction, yes. Less so in a .308 Winchester due to its efficiency. But so long as the bullet is within its intended velocity range at impact it should still perform as advertised, regardless if that is a piece of paper at 600 yards or a whitetail deer at 200.
 
Jmcc said:
so if I went with a 12 inch barrel id be losing 8%-9% (ish) ??

so would that just mean it would start to drop a bit sooner. And I could likely compensate most of that with different ammo. Assuming i knew the distance i would typically shoot at
Click to expand...
Sorry, can’t answer that question.

All I know is , I cut a 24 inch barrel down to 19 inches and I lost about 117 FPS .
One inch less might be 17 FPS, the next inch might be 27 FPS and so on ,
 
You wont likely find a factory rifle under 16" unless you are building off a Maverick receiver and source an AR-10 barrel or one of the handful of 12" Remington's out there, but those are 10+lbs boat anchors and i wouldn't want to carry one in the woods. 16" gives you pretty good maneuverability, tolerable muzzle blast and not much practical velocity loss in 308. One of the reasons the Ruger Scout is so popular.

Velocity on some cartridges (.243 for example) really falls off after 20" so it definitely pays to do some research on the specifics.
 
I had a 783 chambered in 6.5 CM, great rifle but the stock is complete garbage.

I put mine in a MDT chassis and it shot sub MOA with my hand loads.

It weighed about 9+ lbs with scope.
 
jparent said:
You wont likely find a factory rifle under 16" unless you are building off a Maverick receiver and source an AR-10 barrel or one of the handful of 12" Remington's out there, but those are 10+lbs boat anchors and i wouldn't want to carry one in the woods. 16" gives you pretty good maneuverability, tolerable muzzle blast and not much practical velocity loss in 308. One of the reasons the Ruger Scout is so popular.

Velocity on some cartridges (.243 for example) really falls off after 20" so it definitely pays to do some research on the specifics.
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My criteria
- 308, because its good multiple purpose and easy to source caliber. Main use, deer but want ability for other things if needed
- accuracy, most shots will be avg ~125 yrs but i may want to go out to 200yrs. Never more than 250 yrs. I may take to the range for fun but likely wont ever compete
- as compact as reasonably possible because ill be carrying in eastern Ontario bush. In a truck, on an ATV etc..
- magazine fed, i like mags (that's why I was leaning to the 783)
 
TikkaTAC A1 6.5CM 20" barrel. 1/2 MOA 10 shots @ 100m Match ammo. Striking 30cm square plate at 1000m once I dope the wind.

I recommend Tikka. You can always get someone to cut the barrel and put a brake on it. Remington is currently in transition.
 
45C said:
I had a 783 chambered in 6.5 CM, great rifle but the stock is complete garbage.

I put mine in a MDT chassis and it shot sub MOA with my hand loads.

It weighed about 9+ lbs with scope.
Click to expand...


Mine shot sub moa in the factory stock. If the OP wants a 783 for hunting, the stock can be stiffened up some or he can try to find an aftermarket hunting stock for it if such thing exists.

Or look at a totally different platform all together.
 
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