Why so few short barreled bolt action hunting rifles??

I hunt with rifles that have barrel lengths from 14" - 26" each has it specific use for me same reason I have bolt/lever/semi-auto/single shot rifles chambered in cartridges from 17 cal - 458 cal I have a use for each.

I never head out without hearing protection...
 
Short barrel

I have a 700 BDL 30-06 which I cut to 20" to accommodate a muzzle break to fit into a custom made saddle scabboard designed for a 22" barrel.
The rifle groups at 3/4" at 100 yards, speed unknown with handloads.
Animals are not any tougher from 150 years ago.
KNOW how your rifle shoots, practice with the ammunition you hunt with and then hunt with confidence, something which very few people can do.
 
The difference in noise level between a 270win at 24" and one at 16" is quite painful, at least to me, standing beside the two shooters.

As to velocity, I think there are a number of variables, and anyone who states a hard and fast figure is full of crap.
Even for a given caliber, as you shorten the barrel, the rate at which it loses velocity changes. For example, if you had a 30" barrel and cut it to 28" I wouldn't expect to see a lot of difference.
But as you get closer to 20" the rate of change increases.
But I suspect that rate of change levels out to some degree (but still falling) as you approach 12" and into the handgun lengths.
 
Velocity is one thing. Most guys want all they can get, even if they can't hit anything with it. Short barreled guns are easier to handle in the bush, but I find the muzzel blast excessive in anything larger than 30-30 Winchester. I've only had a couple of them in the past. One was a Lee Enfield jungle carbine in .303 British, and the other a Colt Saur in .308 Winchester. Both were extremely loud. Even with a good set of muffs on, they were not much fun to shoot any amount at the range. That's my opinion.
 
I have Spanish Calvary rifle, short barrel. it is loud at the range,it is also loud in the field. Although I shot my first bear with it, I dislike it. I will try one more time to sell it next week.

Carbine style rifles have only one positive thing: they look cute. That is all they have.
 
Would a crown like this on a 20" barrel reduce the muzzle report by much?

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I have one of these in 308..plan on putting a heavier contoured barrel and keeping the same length....this is a awesome rig for hunting...
 
Squibloads said:
SDC10648.jpg
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I have one of these in 308..plan on putting a heavier contoured barrel and keeping the same length....this is a awesome rig for hunting...
Click to expand...

I had always thought that the short barrels were good in the bush and the longer barrels out in the open country.

But then why are the mountain guys who want the lightest guns possible not using really short barrels? Would a 16" barrell on a 270 WSM take away all that much accuracy or FPS?
 
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