7mm-08 barrel length

[just_jon]

Give H4895 a try if you can find it. It's the only powder I've ever shot in 7mm-08.

 

[richhymas]

Do you gain much velocity going to a 24" barrel vs the standard 22" barrel in 7mm-08?
Thanks
Master Yoda

I agree with the other comments. If you really are trying to squeak out an extra 50 FPS then pick a different cartridge. The 7mm-08 is designed in large part to reduce recoil and extend range compared to the 308, but it's still not fast or long range. A 7 SAUM or 270 WSM or similar would give you plenty of extra gas but you could still load light if you want 7mm-08 recoil and performance.

 

[RD57]

About 25 fps per inch. My 14" Dominator single shot comfortably gets 2600 fps with 140 Nosler BTs and Varget.

 

[ratrod54]

I agree with the comments about the 7-08 being pretty efficient and consistent. I am running an 18 inch barrel on my 7-08 shooting Berger 150s and getting about 2550 using H4350.

I honestly don't see any advantage in the extra 2 inches unless you just want the barrel a little longer. If you start to reload I think you'll get the velocity you want.

 

[lyle2231]

All the 7-08 shooters I've run across had 24"
Barrels. Shooting off hand it gave a better balance. HTH

 

[xsn10s]

I was debating a 26" or longer barrel for a 7-08. But I'm concentrating on 180 gr bullets and longer ranges. Plenty of people been pretty happy with a hunting 7-08 from 20" to 24".

 

[Highbrass]

I personally like.the 24" as i have noticed all my short barrelled guns tend to be a bit harsh on muzzle blast.
If you handload the magic combo is the 162 ELD bullet and a case full of Varget. Flattest shooting and most accurate I have ever shot...Period.!!

 

[Onehorse]

Unlikely - the 7mm-08 is a very effecient cartridge. If you handload and can get a hold of of some CFE-223 you generate velocity in the mid 2800s with 140 and a 22" bbl. If your looking foremore than that, then the 7mm-08 is probably the wrong platform.

Additionally, you need to consider that you may get a fast bbl versus a slow a barrel and any particulat barrel may like a slower charge versus a faster charge. An example - 22" 30-06 shoots 168 grn TSX into 5/8" at. 2825 H4350, my 23 inch 308 win shoots them into 2/3" at 2815 CFE-223.

I am gueesing you are l0oking for a lighter weigth all around rifle. You are probably looking at 50 fps max which is irrelevant IMO.

That's great reply. No need to read any others.

 

[cabelasken]

Both of my 7-08's wear 22" barrels and I understand Kenny Jarrett uses 20" on his custom 7-08's and gets tremendous velocities out of them.

 

[Howard Van Horn]

I shoot a Model 7 Rem in 7:08 Ackley Improved with a 20" barrel. I use Nosler 140gr. Bullets that coronagraph @ 2850 fps. This is my antelope rifle and is a joy to use.

 

[JAYgs8163]

The 2" is negligible. Here is mine the I just finished up last week with a 24" barrel. Throated for the 150 ELDX.

 

[RUFFIAN R - NY]

guess it all depends on what one considers much ???? and when is enough !!!! Want fast get a 30-378 Wby !!

 

[weevil07]

I'm shooting an 18" barrel. I'm getting right at 2,700fps with 150gr ELDX using superformance powder. I can squeeze more velocity but that load shoots good. I shoot suppressed so the 18"barrel is handy.

 

[ARlife4me]

Depending on bullet weight and powder used (charge and variant) can lose or gain velocity on barrel lengths on caliber choice. Say you take 60k psi at the 1st 2" and it all gets less the further down the tube it goes (we all know this, right). Some powder doesn't produce as much gas volume as others, but all are typically equal at throat and just past. 24" is a good over all length, but might be the best? A friend of mine has an 18.5" 7-08 using 140 or 150gr bullets. It's accurate and uses it up to 500yards on deer and elk. If hindsight were in play you could know what would be best choices are.