have you looked at the new 16.5 inch barrel ruger hawkeye in 358?, Blued or stainless with walnut, very nice rifle
The Compact Rifle Thread
- Thread starter ShrtRnd
- Start date
muzzle blast is definitely a Thing in the under-20 imo, not user friendly at all
20" is tolerable and the other pro-s that come with that length make it ideal, again imo
Kimber 21" crf, with drop mag makes a great option for the in-and-outs of vehicles use while hunting
Short barrels fit into scabbards and through doors or under boat canopies much easier than longer
20" is tolerable and the other pro-s that come with that length make it ideal, again imo
Kimber 21" crf, with drop mag makes a great option for the in-and-outs of vehicles use while hunting
Short barrels fit into scabbards and through doors or under boat canopies much easier than longer
I think about this concept of the GPR do-all carbine way too much! Closest I had was an early 'international' model 18" Ruger scout, which was a great rifle. CZ 550 FS 9.3x62 was a contender. Where I hunt in AB there is no consistent 'bush rifle' scenario. Bush exists where 50m shots are likely, that opens into cut lines, meadows, cultivation etc where 300m+ is doable. Short barrels are fine (bullet impact threshold matters) but I have no use for low-velocity straight-wall lever gun type options.
For me 20" in a non-magnum cartidge is great. 18" in .308 was as short as I would ever go. 16" is too short without a can unless you are burning less than 30gr of powder. Unless you have heavy enough barrel you also risk having a butt heavy rifle.
From your list I would go Tikka Battue or Mod Seven. Steyr Scout is on my 'list'. Ruger GSR is good too but I dont like IER scout scopes.
A How Mini with a good aftermarket stock and cut to 19-20" with a hinged floor plate would be a great little rifle.
That said, a typical 22" sporter in something like a 6.5CM class cartridge will do a lot, but its fun to invent better mouse traps, or convince ourselves thereof !
For me 20" in a non-magnum cartidge is great. 18" in .308 was as short as I would ever go. 16" is too short without a can unless you are burning less than 30gr of powder. Unless you have heavy enough barrel you also risk having a butt heavy rifle.
From your list I would go Tikka Battue or Mod Seven. Steyr Scout is on my 'list'. Ruger GSR is good too but I dont like IER scout scopes.
A How Mini with a good aftermarket stock and cut to 19-20" with a hinged floor plate would be a great little rifle.
That said, a typical 22" sporter in something like a 6.5CM class cartridge will do a lot, but its fun to invent better mouse traps, or convince ourselves thereof !
One of my favourite rifles is my Howa mini 450BM with a 16" barrel. Super handy in the bush. I've owned and still own a few rifles 20" or less or with shorter lop's. I am a big fan of compact rifles in general as they really are handy for my hunting style and situations.
I’m shooting a Sako 85 Black Bear. I love it.
Edit to answer your questions:
- I like the medium contour 20”. Good compromise length between all factors. The medium contour keeps the 85 slightly muzzle heavy, which is my preference.
- Unless you’re going for absolutely minimum weight or have very specific OAL considerations for a specific rifle that preclude it, a detachable box magazine makes sense. So much more convenient and the Sako design is second to none.
Of the designs you mentioned I only have time with the Tikka and a customized Model 7. I don’t think you could go wrong with either, but the Battue model Tikka would get my vote because of the sights.
Edit to answer your questions:
- I like the medium contour 20”. Good compromise length between all factors. The medium contour keeps the 85 slightly muzzle heavy, which is my preference.
- Unless you’re going for absolutely minimum weight or have very specific OAL considerations for a specific rifle that preclude it, a detachable box magazine makes sense. So much more convenient and the Sako design is second to none.
Of the designs you mentioned I only have time with the Tikka and a customized Model 7. I don’t think you could go wrong with either, but the Battue model Tikka would get my vote because of the sights.
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dgradinaru
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- British Columbia
I like the Ruger m77 hawkeye compact. Great rifle for the truck.
I had a nice little 18.5" Ruger .358 Carbine that took literal piles of game, and was amazingly accurate out to 300 yards with 200 Sap's.
The Ruger Frontier Carbine is a sweet little rifle... I have had them in .243, 7mm-08, .308 and .358 Win. The 16.5" barrel makes it handle very nicely in thick cover and when carrying on your shoulder through brush. Every one I have had was also very accurate.
The Ruger Frontier Carbine is a sweet little rifle... I have had them in .243, 7mm-08, .308 and .358 Win. The 16.5" barrel makes it handle very nicely in thick cover and when carrying on your shoulder through brush. Every one I have had was also very accurate.
How does it group? I have the v3 Scout in 223 and it's a tack driver, thinking it needs a big brother!
- Location
- Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Awesome, that's what I like to hear! I'm loading 60gr vmax's in the 223 and getting 3/8'' group, super impressed with it! I'm torn between the 6.5 and 308.
I love carbines. 45-70 =16.5" (marlin) , 308= 20" (m98 custom) 303 brit =18.5"(mk4no1*), 243=20"(browning micro midas), 30-30= 20"(marlin), 7-08= 18"(Rem 7), 9.3x62 =19"( husky m98 )are my most carried hunting rifles. The 45-70 and 9.3 are my main rigs but they all get hunted.. I do have longer rifles but I much prefer a 20" or less for general hunting out to 400yds. I run 2-7X, fixed 4s or irons on all these short rifles.. mounted low, small and light.
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- Location
- Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Thats impressive! I'd love one in 223 but really wish it was a faster twist. The rossi lwc is a 7 twist but im not a fan of the platform. The target was my 350 legend from today at 100m. It's unbelievable how good these little singles shoot.Awesome, that's what I like to hear! I'm loading60gr vmax's in the 223 and getting 3/8'' group, super impressed with it! I'm torn between the 6.5 and 308.
Like most others have stated, and you see, your not getting much for the ones listed, but more other options.
I had a few micro's so far, and like them with nothing really to complain about them. Used for younger teens.
Right now I'm into single shots, and like mentioned if you need a follow up, they are actually easy to reload quickly, but for sure practice that at the range. I'm in love with the ruger #1 platform for these, but also the CVA scouts. The great benefit of the single shots is its is shorter already without having to use an action.
I grew up using a Ruger M77 in 243, and that was a nice compact rifle as well.
Another option is the encore rifle, and just ordering a shorter barrel in what ever caliber you prefer. Some have even swaped the stocks out to the pistol grip design and collapsible, so that makes for a handy shortie.
Another option is the browning BLR in takedown. A short rifle in lever action.
Shooting a 20” 308 barrel provides no perceptible difference from a 22” to me, and that’s as short as I’d want. I’d put it on any reliable and reputable action that comes in a true short action (not short cartridges stuffed into a 30-06 length action). It makes no difference to me if it’s a 260 rem, 7mm-08, 308 etc so I’m not glued to a specific chambering. But any short action deer/blackbear class short cartridge in a properly scaled action with a 20” tube is to my liking. The Tikka Battue as previously mentioned does sound quite appropriate, though I may be equally as happy with a dozen others.
Please update us if/when you materialize your setup.
Please update us if/when you materialize your setup.
I too recently got on the 20" barrel train, picked up two Rem M7s, one in 308 and the other in 7mm-08. I figured if one is good then two MUST be better! I haven't hunted them yet, that will be next year in October at moose camp. I may try them for some coyote this winter, but i also just got a SF 2020 that will likely get the nod there if it proves accurate.
I am excited to hunt these shorter barrelled rigs, all my other rifles are 22" to 26" and I hate them in the heavy bush.
I am excited to hunt these shorter barrelled rigs, all my other rifles are 22" to 26" and I hate them in the heavy bush.
