18" barrel, best 500 yard ballistics?

[LVJ76]

If you can push a high BC 160gr to 168gr from 2,600 fps to 2,650 fps at 500 yds you still have about 1,950 fps and 1,400 ft/lbs of energy. That's what I am getting out of my 7mm-08 with the 162gr A-Max, so if you can get this or a little more you are set.

Thats said I'd go with a 7 SAUM or one of @elkaholic fat, short and sexy cartridges like the 7SS.

Stay safe

 

[458win]

338 lapua or similar if you're wanting to get the most out of 18".

 

[DeadmansPoint]

I'm getting ready for some Sherman in a short barreled rifle configuration. Load data I'm seeing is trading off about 10fps per inch of barrel- I can live with this.

 

[Timnterra]

In a short action the 7mm wsm is the biggest case available. I'm sure Rich will chime in here about his Sherman Short magnums Which are improved SAUM cases. I'd suppose the 7wsm and the Sherman short max will be your best bet for velocity.

 

[Slick8]

I'm in the same boat and will say if you can get a heavy and high bc 6.5, 7 or 30 cal to 2500 plus you're good to 500.

I'm wanting to do a short mag 30 at 16.5 suppressed running a 230 at 2500 plus as a goal. Not sure if its realistic at 16. It seems in that combo at least that 20 inches is the magic number for efficiency.

 

[Slick8]

Double post

 

[Another Casual]

A 16" 6.5 creedmoor is pretty load to my ear, with an 18" SAUM or WSM, I wouldn't take a shot without the can on it.

 

[dustycuss]

Wouldn't an Encore platform give you a 23" barrel length for about the same rifle OAL as a bolt with and 18" barrel? Only takes about 1 second more to rechamber another round in an Encore as opposed to a bolt repeater.

 

[Will Gray]

I would try Sierra 168g in a 30-06 PPU (tough heavy) case with Magnum primers and work up to see if a case full of 4064, Varget or H4831 [work to burn all the power in the 18" barrel] would get near 2900fps.

 

[dustycuss]

Wouldn't an Encore platform give you a 23" barrel length for about the same rifle OAL as a bolt with and 18" barrel? Only takes about 1 second more to rechamber another round in an Encore as opposed to a bolt repeater.

 

[Snowboy]

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.

Thanks for this info. I love short guns.

 

[WeiserBucks]

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?

What's your budget? Have you looked at a Desert Tech? You could use a 30" barrel and still be shorter over all length than a standard rifle with a 26".

 

[CA48]

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
View attachment 226769

What can are you running?

 

[Send it 284]

What can are you running?

It's a Dirty 30 from Witt machine
Does pretty well for only 4"