Clem Bronkoski
Well-Known Member
I had a Browning Micro Hunter in 325 WSM using 200 gr Accubonds and dropped an elk in its tracks at 400 yds.
-
If you are being asked to change your password, and unsure how to do it, follow these instructions. Click here
Looking for best short barrel performance cartridge
- Thread starter Bang4theBuck
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
MagnumManiac
Well-Known Member
Having done them all from 25 cal through to 35 cal, you will not get the performance in short barrels going smaller than 300WSM based wildcats, 6.5 & 7mm work best with 20" barrels, but any of them from 25 cal will work, even 37 cal.
Of course, there is a point of diminishing returns, which in my estimation would be no shorter than 18" with that powder volume.
Cheers.
Of course, there is a point of diminishing returns, which in my estimation would be no shorter than 18" with that powder volume.
Cheers.
What barrel are you using? Got a buddy wanting to build one up, but never messed with that round.Built a 18" 22 creedmoor for my uncle. He is shooting 68 grain hammer hunters with the plastic tips at 3,480 fps.
jja600
Well-Known Member
My next cartridge will be on an existing gun by using a switch lug. I haven't tried it yet but gives you the option to change calibers with a barrel change that you can do with one tool. It may be a good option if you are looking to save some coin.
Buttermilk
Well-Known Member
Here's my real world experiences. I'll simply list the cartridge, barrel length, bullet & velocity. These are all short barrels.
1. 7-30 Waters, Nosler 120 BT @ 2476 fps, 36.0 Varget, 14" bbl
2. 30-30 AI, Nosler 150 BT @ 2385 fps, 40.0 gr Varget, 14" bbl
3. 308 Win, N150BT @ 2600 FPS, 46.0 gr Varget, 15" bbl
4. 30-06 JDJ, N165BT @ 2750 FPS, IMR4064, H4350 & RL22 (can't recall the charge wts off the top of my head), 15" bbl
5. 280 AI, N140BT's @ 2750 fps, 62.0gr RL22, 15"bbl
6. 30-06 AI, Berger 168 VLDH @ 2650 fps, Nosler 165 BT's @ 2715 fps, 15"bbl
7. 30-280 AI, N165AB's @ 2750 fps, 15" bbl
8. 30-338 WM, Berger 175 VLDH @ 2846 fps, 65.0gr H4350, 16.5" bbl
9a. 7mm RSAUM, Berger 168 VLDH @ 2850 fps, 65.5gr H1000, 17.5" bbl
9b. 7mm RSAUM, Hornady 162 ELDX @ 2830 fps, 65.0gr H1000, 17.5" bbl
9c. 7mm RSAUM, Hornday 166 A-Tip @ 2842 fps, 65.0 gr H1000, 17.5" bbl
10a. 30 Nosler, Berger 210 VLDH @ 2750 fps, 81.0gr H1000, 18.5" bbl
10b. 30 Nosler, Berger 210 VLDH @ 2850 fps, 80.5gr H1000, 18.5" bbl
11. 7mm-08 Rem, Nosler 150 ABLR @ 2650 fps, 49.0gr StaBall 6.5, 15" bbl
12. 6x47 Lapua, Berger 105 VLDH @ 2850 fps, 39.5gr H4350, 17.5" bbl
That about sums up some of my short barrels over that past few years. I'd have to go peruse my old load data books to come up with more info.
BrentM
Well-Known Member
Wow, 4 pages already...I have had very good luck with a 6.5 PRC base cartridge. I wanted to keep 6.5-284 performance but in a short barrel and it hits a solid home run. Having said that it appears the short action magnum line like SAUM, Sherman, PRC all produce good results in the shorter than normal barrel configurations.
Austin_Michael
Well-Known Member
16" 300 SAUM outperformed my 24" 30-06. Purpose built to hunt hogs and deer from a box blind suppressed, so the added weight wasn't a problem. Swap the 1" tube for a carbon fiber barrel and it would be an awesome all around big game hunter.
Some bullet/powder pressure tests: (gray cells were slightly stiff bolt lift)
Some bullet/powder pressure tests: (gray cells were slightly stiff bolt lift)
Last edited:
@Wind Gypsy called it. There is really no magic here. A cartridge loses 20-30 fps of speed for every inch you chop as a general rule.
Therefore, the way I approach this same decision is:
1. Choose the caliber you want the cartridge to be in. Since you already have a 30, I would say you are choosing between 6, 6.5, and 7. For me I chose based on bullet availability of the type of bullet I plan to shoot.
2. Determine what muzzle velocity you need for the bullets you plan to shoot to perform at the distances you plan to shoot them. If it is going to be a target rig, this is less important. For hunting, I use 1800 fps as my minimum impact velocity and work back from there.
That's it. Usually, this still leaves you with 3-5 choices, unless you are not a reloader.
Nice buck!
HCA Heavy hunter
Any Saum would be a great! I've got saum based cartridges in 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, and .30 cal. All set up with 20-22" barrels to shoot suppressed. These two are chambered in 6.5 Saum. The top one is 21" throated with approximately .220" freebore. With N565 shooting 139 Scenars @ 3000 fps and 156 Berger's @ 2930. The bottom one is 20" chambered with the 6.5 gap4s .130 freebore shooting RL26 with Berger 140 hybrids @ 3002 fps.
I'm fixing to chamber a 25 saum in a 20" shortly. Just got the reamer in this week. May do that today. Your post got me itching to do it.
Nice info here. I'm in the middle of load work on a 300 Sherman Max (saum improved). I originally had intended to to the 300 saum but Sherman Max brass was available with the 40* shoulders already formed so I went for it. I did go 22" 9 twist on it and throated it a little longer for the Hornady 208 eldm. With RL26 it produced 2900 fps in my initial testing. Still have more testing before I settle on the final load.
Oh I've entertained the 25 saum myself. The quarter bore one caliber I've never had.I'm fixing to chamber a 25 saum in a 20" shortly. Just got the reamer in this week. May do that today. Your post got me itching to do it.
