Looking for best short barrel performance cartridge

[ARlife4me]

Being only for varmints 6x47, 6xc (something just shorter than 6creed and 243win), 6BR/BRA, 6ppc (you get the point) along with 22cals of similar cases.

knowing how far/max distance you'll be shooting this would help on caliber (and cartridge selections).

22cals that could give you the longest barrel life (if looking for that) wouldn't be a 22creed/220swift/22-250rem, but a move up in caliber would help.

i've used 5.56, 243win, many 26cals, 6.8spc and 22mags on varmints. each have their ups and downs.

 

[cajun]

If you go for something on a 308 case it's going to be slow with a short barrel. I would look at 7 saum or one of the wsm's.

 

[nksmfamjp]

Well, I tend to look at it like:

What am I shooting? Deer or bigger.

What is the minimum bullet?

What range?

Drives what MV…..

Drives cartridge to deliver min expansion velocity just over max range.

For me, it looked like:

Deer; 6 or 6.5 120-140; 143 ELD-X; 600yd; 2650fps; 6.5 Creedmoor from 24"

Done.

 

[cajun]

I see your only shooting varmints. If that's the case 22 creedmoor.

 

[martinakl]

Going to have to get this back on track. The rifle is for everything EXCEPT varmints.

I vote 300 WSM or 300 SAUM. 2nd runner up 7mm SAUM. 284 Win on a medium or long action would be on my list.

 

[Jakeweb09]

Short mags do really well on the short barrels..I'd be considering 25 or 6.5 prc, any Saum variant, or max out with WSM. All are pretty fun in a short barrel.

 

[cajun]

Going to have to get this back on track. The rifle is for everything EXCEPT varmints.

I vote 300 WSM or 300 SAUM. 2nd runner up 7mm SAUM. 284 Win on a medium or long action would be on my list.

View attachment 628560

Sorry. Got covid brain lol. I stick with the 7 saum or wsm's then for sure. The extra case capacity will keep velocities reasonable even with a short barrel. I'm building a 20" saum myself.

 

[nwmnbowhunter]

Good stuff, I'll add this one to the list. Did you build on a short or medium action?

Short

 

[Greatgrandad]

In my experience, the larger bores tend to maintain higher "relative" velocities in shorter barrels compared to their longer barreled selves. For deer and larger game, I would stay with 308 and larger bores due to their expansion ratios.

We've run 18" 308's for decades, and they are handy, fairly light and very deadly with a large variety of bullets for handloading and factory offerings. Bores in the shorty 308, 325, 338, etc would be "my" choice.

 

[akmtnhnt]

The best short barrel cartridge is the 277 fury.

 

[Hand Skills]

Depends on context, 358win has a niche too.

 

[Jakeweb09]

The best short barrel cartridge is the 277 fury.

Best how? It's a cartridge that hasn't gained any popularity even though it's been around for a couple years, it's not often hunted with, even less often competed with.

 

[Quintus]

Contemplating the same type project and looking at the 6.8 western or 338WSM but the brass options are holding me back. 300WSM is the easy button in a short barrel for alot of reasons. I am also starting to look at the 338RPM and the option for Peterson brass may get me there.

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

The best short barrel cartridge is the 277 fury.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I built a 27-08 this year that is Very Impressive. 133 Apex Rl-17 at 3000fps.
Working on C.E. 125 here when the weather breaks.
Throated properly the 277Fury would be AWESOME also.