18" barrel, best 500 yard ballistics?

[nmbarta]

I know this has been discussed, but I can't find what I want.
Short action, 18" barrel, 6.8 or 7mm 160+ bullet @ 2900+ fps.
I do not care about barrel life or powder efficiency at all, my suppressor is rated for full auto, so I'm not too concerned about the fire ball going into it.
Just thinking about a hammer bullet, with the right powder and cartridge.
The 277 fury with the steel base had my attention, but I don't see any brass for that.
I'm not sure this can be done?
Maybe a better question would be,
What is the best possible ballistic performance from a short action 18" barrel? Ballistic performance being the only concern?

 

[CA48]

25/6/6.5 SST/SS

3050 to 3100 with the 131 ACE or 2850-2900 with the 156 Berger and rl26/N570. The hammers work great to.

 

[Joefrazell]

7 saum

 

[Send it 284]

I know this has been discussed, but I can't find what I want.
Short action, 18" barrel, 6.8 or 7mm 160+ bullet @ 2900+ fps.
I do not care about barrel life or powder efficiency at all, my suppressor is rated for full auto, so I'm not too concerned about the fire ball going into it.
Just thinking about a hammer bullet, with the right powder and cartridge.
The 277 fury with the steel base had my attention, but I don't see any brass for that.
I'm not sure this can be done?
Maybe a better question would be,
What is the best possible ballistic performance from a short action 18" barrel? Ballistic performance being the only concern?

This is a similar setup that I just put together.
5.8 lb 16.5" 6.5 saum, 142's at 2880 with H1000, ran them to 3000 with RL26.
Zeroed it at 200 hundred and center punched a steel plate at 530 with the first shot
Haven't played with it much yet but I'll be switching to 127 LRX bullets and will likely end up close to 3000 fps.
This is my cross over timber to 500 yard deer and elk set up.
Id go 7 saum for what you're wanting, I'll bet 2900 with 160s will be easy to achieve

 

[27 Gap]

.

 

[nmbarta]

You think I could get 2900 with a 160 class and a 7 saum with an 18" barrel? I'd love that. I've been hearing things about the hammers that got my attention for sure.
I've played with the saum and love it, but I'm getting 2950 ish with a 162eldx and a 24" barrel with H4831sc.
I don't see how to get to 2900 with an 18

 

[Send it 284]

You think I could get 2900 with a 160 class and a 7 saum with an 18" barrel? I'd love that. I've been hearing things about the hammers that got my attention for sure.
I've played with the saum and love it, but I'm getting 2950 ish with a 162eldx and a 24" barrel with H4831sc.
I don't see how to get to 2900 with an 18

Wow that seems really slow.. Guys are getting that with 180s
Is it a saami throat?
RL 26 and H1000 are perfection in the saum case.
I'd be shocked if rl26 didn't put you there.
Don't know what you plan on using for a barrel but I hear Rock Creek are about the fastest

 

[nmbarta]

It is.
I'll look into those, I have a hard time getting away from brux. The saum is not a brux....just so I don't imply they're slow!
I just happened upon an 8 lb jug of rl 26.
I have plenty of 7 saum brass, just didn't think it would get me there.

 

[idcwby]

What kind of velocity and/or energy are you wanting at 500?

 

[nmbarta]

With no regard to barrel life, and a short action. The best I can get from 18", this is a purpose built rifle. Easy to pack, suppresed, and the best possible velocity and energy i can have. I'm not a fan boy of anything and really am open to anything including wildcats as long as it's not too crazy to make the brass.
If i can have one in and one down I'm okay with that.
Basically I want the most power possible from an 18" barrel and a short action. Intentions are deer and elk to 700. My suppressor is 30 cal, so thats alright as well. I just assumed the 277 or 284 would out perform the 30 in this situation.

 

[idcwby]

I haven't played with short barrels much, so this has got me interested. I got 2870fps from a 22" 7mm-08 with 139gr Barnes LRX, H4831SC, with no pressure signs so it could be pushed more. Not suggesting it as the cartridge, but giving you an example to help.
Are you stuck on that heavy of bullet?

 

[idcwby]

I can't remember where I seen it, but there is data out there for a 16" 308 win.

 

[nmbarta]

I'm really not stuck on anything, maybe not even stuck on a short action. Like a said I know this has been discussed to some degree, but I don't have anything against anything. I want the most horsepower I can have in a short suppressed rifle. I really don't care about anything else as long as its 30 cal or less. I want the best possible ballistics I can have with an 18" barrel. That's it. I don't care if it's 130 grains or 230 grains. My first post just implied what I was hoping was possible, if I can do better....that's even better.

 

[idcwby]

From what I'm seeing, I don't see why you couldn't do it from a long action. You could always pick up a cheap rifle, Ruger American etc, and cut the barrel down and see what happens. This page might be a good reference https://rifleshooter.com/2017/01/short-barrel-16-5-inch-winchester-load-development/

Maybe someone that has tried this will chime in.