short barrels

I've been using a RA stainless compact in 308 18 1/2 bbl this year got a deer with it in Nov. Muzzle blast.. don't really notice it more than longer barrels the barrel flips up a little quicker that's all. Other than one time I left an empty canvas bag on the bench beside the rifle and it blew it forward about 10 feet which was surprising, so its there but not from behind the controls. I've been thinking something similar in size and weight but a nicer rifle in 338 Fed would be a handy sucker.
 
My Spanish mauser (308 win) is about 18" barrel. I know for a fact that it is loud, very loud. You guys can keep promoting short-barreled rifles. I will not have another one. In fact, I am not going to sell mine, as I know it hurts.
 
brybenn said:
Hey all. While enjoying a glass of scotch with a buddy the topic of the best well balanced big game cartridge for a 16-18" barrelled hunting gun came up

Now me and him have vastly different opinions about recoil. Now it has me thinking. The criteria is it must be capable of handling Ontario big game. Deer wolf black bear moose elk out to 250 yards. Balance recoil with a lighter weight gun and be efficient in a 16-18" barrel. Not a massive flame thrower with high muzzle rise and fast recoil.
I suggested 358 win with 200 gn bullets. He thinks 6.5 Grendel. As you can see we are no where near a compromise so I thought I'd ask here since I'm not sure how well the small 6.5 s handle heavier bullets from such short barrels.
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Have you considered a Marling 1895 Guide Gun in .45-70 with Hornady Leverevolution ammo? This combo would be very very ###y.
 
I have a browning hogstalker blr in 308 with the 18" barrel. For as handy as this rig is I wouldn't want a longer barrel. There is muzzle rise but I feel comfy shooting anything out to 300 yards with this set up. The 308 based cartridges are perfect in short barreled carbines Imo. But I'm a sucker for short guns. Would love a blr in 358 win.
 
Gonewild said:
I have a browning hogstalker blr in 308 with the 18" barrel. For as handy as this rig is I wouldn't want a longer barrel. There is muzzle rise but I feel comfy shooting anything out to 300 yards with this set up. The 308 based cartridges are perfect in short barreled carbines Imo. But I'm a sucker for short guns. Would love a blr in 358 win.
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Short .308's are my favorite type of rifle. Nothing handier. I think it's the best "all around" useful rifle setup there is.

As you know, muzzle rise is only a big deal when you need a quick follow up shot.

Many comment on the increased recoil and rise of light weight high power rifles. It really is a different technique to use these weapons effectively, problem is most attempt it the same ol' way as everything else. First time I shot a very light weight short .308 I stopped and realized I had to rethink it a bit. That and a good R3 limbsaver is the ticket.
 
BigUglyMan said:
Seems ridiculous...Burning 70 or so grains of powder to end up with, what amounts to, a noisy 308.
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If saving on powder and noise had been the point , i would have used an arrow.
I was looking for a compact 308 when this Frontier in 300WSM appeared. I just could't resist.
I can speed it up or reduce the load to a .308 level if i wish.
I like stalking moose , so , it's the rifle ''i'' use.
 
Reading your thread and enjoying some bourbon.

I am a big fan of carbines. I wish that I could afford more of them, four, so far. For the bush hunting on deer and bear that I do, I find them to be more than adequate.

Looking forward to getting out with my 1895 gbl for bear this year. Just had the action polished, added a Happy Trigger group, Bear Extractor and a winged Ghost Sight.
 
RSI_M77_250_Savage1.jpg


A half-dozen or so deer have dropped to this "little" RSI in .250-3000 over the last few years. A couple of them have been on the far side of 250 yards. All pretty well dropped dead in their tracks.

250_Savage_110_Accubonb.jpg
 
'Boo said:
RSI_M77_250_Savage1.jpg


A half-dozen or so deer have dropped to this "little" RSI in .250-3000 over the last few years. A couple of them have been on the far side of 250 yards. All pretty well dropped dead in their tracks.

250_Savage_110_Accubonb.jpg
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Sweet!! I have ;)'something similar', but in 7x57, to harass island Blacktail with this coming season. I've just started 'playing' with reloads for it and hope I get the degree of accuracy results with my RSI that you're getting with yours.



Might take it along on the next trip up to visit young son at Horsefly.
 
nomad 68 said:
How is the recoil and muzzle blast in an 18.5" .30/06? I was going to shorten one to 19" for a handi carry rifle but heard it .30/06 was nasty at that length.
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My 2185 Voere semi-auto rifle is chambered in 30-06. Barrel length of around 19 3/8s. At the rifle range people often ask me after I have fired it, whether it's a 270 Win or a 300 Win Mag. Recoil wise it's is a real pussy cat, but it sure barks rather sharply.
 
'Boo said:
Next time you get up this way you MUST give me a call. If you don't want to have a beer or rye I can serve you tea if you insist! LoL ;)
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Will do. If it's rye,;) I'll go with the two fingers measurement. Index to little/baby finger:p. I'll give you a heads up on the next trip I'm up that way:).
 
Short barrel lengths effectively reduce the volume that is available for pressure to build from the expansion of propellant gases. If volume is restricted by a short barrel length, another way to optimize it is to choose a large caliber, then load heavy for caliber bullets which require smaller powder charges. I don't like going shorter than 20" in small bores of .30 caliber and less, but a cartridge in the .444 Marlin, .45/70, .450 Marlin, or the .458 American have modest powder capacities, and when loaded with 325 gr .44s or 500 or 550 gr .458s, their velocity differs little from 24" versions; yet trajectory is suited to the kind of country you wanted a short rifle for in the first place, while having terminal performance far ahead of pistol cartridges that might be considered for similar reasons.
 
As it turns out I'm saving to build up 3 short barreled rifles. 250 savage. 358 win unless I can find a 356 win and 458 just for fun. My buddy ended up choosing a 3030
 
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