Best length for Bolt Action Pistol

[WSMDRT]

Putting togther first bolt action pistol. 700 XLR Atom chassis. Looking for best barrel length for 308 based cartridges for hunting inside 400 and hitting steel past that.
Have these donor barrels ready to be cut down. All 14", 12.5" different based on cartridge?

243 likely ~90gr factory remington twist
7mm-08 150 or 162gr
308 all options open 155-208

Better to get speed with a few more inches of barrel or lighten the bullet?

 

[Ernie]

I have a 14.5" 308 Winchester XP-100, shooting the 168 A-Max at 2445 fps. At 450 yards my impact velocity is 1779 fps.
Back in the day I had a 14" 7-08 and I ran 140 NBT's at 2530 I think & 120 NBT's at 2700 fps. the 140's killed fine at 400 yards and a tad further.
The 243 Win with a slow twist, I don't have info for you, but I can give you data for a 15" 6mmBR with factory100 grain CoreLokts. MV of 2520 fps and a impact velocity of 1756 at 400 yards.
You would be better off staying with a 14" barrel versus a 12.5" barrel in my opinion.
With the exception of that 6mm BR (A Factory Custom Shop XP-100), all of my 6mm's are 7-8 Twist barrels, and I shoot the 103-108's.

 

[WSMDRT]

Thanks for all the info. Just dipping my toe in the water with cut down factory barrels. If I catch the bug looking at first custom being 338 Fed. Sticking with all 308 based cases.

 

[Ernie]

The 338 Fed is kind of dumpy in a short barrel, I don't think it will kill well out to 400 yards. With a 18" barrel a 180 TSX will probably be around 2550 fps. I have never had one, but have a friend who had one in a 15" barrel and was not pleased with it. He prefers the 358 Win, but he doesn't have for the killing max distance that you do

Many of the bullets are made for high velocity cartridges. The 358 Winchester allows you to use pistol bullets if you want as well, but it is not going to have that 400 yard kill capability either.

 

[WSMDRT]

Thank you. That's the kind of info i was looking for.

 

[Ernie]

I have a friend who was considering a 338 Fed with a short barrel for 200 yard killing.
He may still go ahead with it but in a 18" barrel.
I suggested a 338-284 Winchester or the 338-300 SAUM.
Definitely would want to use a Holland Radial Baffle brake with the last two.
I also recognize it takes you out of your 308 Win family of cartridges.
Of the two, the SAUM will work in the short action.

 

[K9TXS]

As Ernie mentioned in his last post, a Holland Radial Brake is well worth the investment. The do an excellent job on reducing the recoil. Also, If you haven't already check out the forum for Specialty Pistols.