New Build w/16" barrel...?

[Goodtobetheking]

Looking to build a highly portable bolt action rig with folding stock and 16" barrel for pack in - pack out wilderness hunting and survival.

Given the constraint of a 16" barrel, which factory cartridge will produce the longest range possible, and with enough terminal energy for medium game?

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

6.5cm or 308. Either one will work. 6.5cm will edge the 308 in wind drift and drop.

 

[Deleted member 110997]

Looking to build a highly portable bolt action rig with folding stock and 16" barrel for pack in - pack out wilderness hunting and survival.

Given the constraint of a 16" barrel, which factory cartridge will produce the longest range possible, and with enough terminal energy for medium game?

Hey man have you looked at desert tech?

This has a 22' barrel and APA fat bastard and is shorter than a standard action by 9". Shoots .mil work Ammo just fine too.

 

[Frog4aday]

For a short barreled gun (16"), I'd go with the .308 Win. It'll still handle everything in the lower 48 at medium ranges.

If you have a REM 700 barreled action in .308 Win, you could use this stock:
Magpul® Pro 700L - Folding Stock ($999.99)
https://www.magpul.com/products/magpul-pro-700l-folding-stock?ProductColor=VO343

Another REM 700 folding stock option for about $1100:
HS Precision® Adjustable Folding Thumbhole
https://www.stockysstocks.com/stock...e-folding-thumbhole-700-bdl-short-action.html

Another 'thought' is just getting a Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR) in .308Win.
https://www.ruger.com/products/precisionRifle/models.html
You could have the barrel cut down to 16" and the stock already comes able to 'fold', per this from the Ruger website (https://www.ruger.com/products/precisionRifle/models.html):
"Ruger Precision® MSR stock with QD sling attachment points features a bottom Picatinny rail and soft rubber buttpad. The left-folding stock hinge is attached to an AR-style buffer tube and accepts any AR-style stock. Length of pull and comb height are adjustable."

 

[WeiserBucks]

Get a DESERT TECH covert , they're amazing.

 

[Ginga]

I'd go 7mm08 or 308 with a suppressor if you are allowed one.

 

[Goodtobetheking]

For a short barreled gun (16"), I'd go with the .308 Win. It'll still handle everything in the lower 48 at medium ranges.

If you have a REM 700 barreled action in .308 Win, you could use this stock:
Magpul® Pro 700L - Folding Stock ($999.99)
https://www.magpul.com/products/magpul-pro-700l-folding-stock?ProductColor=VO343

Another REM 700 folding stock option for about $1100:
HS Precision® Adjustable Folding Thumbhole
https://www.stockysstocks.com/stock...e-folding-thumbhole-700-bdl-short-action.html

Another 'thought' is just getting a Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR) in .308Win.
https://www.ruger.com/products/precisionRifle/models.html
You could have the barrel cut down to 16" and the stock already comes able to 'fold', per this from the Ruger website (https://www.ruger.com/products/precisionRifle/models.html):
"Ruger Precision® MSR stock with QD sling attachment points features a bottom Picatinny rail and soft rubber buttpad. The left-folding stock hinge is attached to an AR-style buffer tube and accepts any AR-style stock. Length of pull and comb height are adjustable."

Awesome, thank you. May go with the Ruger and cut the barrel down. Hoping to keep weight down, too, given it will be carried great distances on foot.

 

[Holycity73]

Awesome, thank you. May go with the Ruger and cut the barrel down. Hoping to keep weight down, too, given it will be carried great distances on foot.

Yeah, for a pack rifle I'd look elsewhere. Before it's even scoped, you're looking at almost 10 lbs unloaded. You'd have to remove the entire barrel to notice a difference after 100m under foot.
If you're looking for acceptable accuracy and energy in a small package, start with a model 7 in 308 as a base line. Add your needs and expectations accordingly. You'll end up at the correct rifle for you on paper before ya know it.

Or just buy a Barrett Fieldcraft in 6.5, 7-08 or .308 and be done with it. You won't need a folder with that one. Hell, you could scotch tape it to your pack. It only weighs 5lbs 2.4oz.

 

[Deleted member 110997]

Just sayin....

 

[Goodtobetheking]

Yeah, for a pack rifle I'd look elsewhere. Before it's even scoped, you're looking at almost 10 lbs unloaded. You'd have to remove the entire barrel to notice a difference after 100m under foot.
If you're looking for acceptable accuracy and energy in a small package, start with a model 7 in 308 as a base line. Add your needs and expectations accordingly. You'll end up at the correct rifle for you on paper before ya know it.

Or just buy a Barrett Fieldcraft in 6.5, 7-08 or .308 and be done with it. You won't need a folder with that one. Hell, you could scotch tape it to your pack. It only weighs 5lbs 2.4oz.

Good point. Weight is as important as compactness in this case.

 

[Holycity73]

Good point. Weight is as important as compactness in this case.

Folders tend to add weight. I've found that a lighter compact rifle is far easier to pack than a folder. Besides, most folders tend to be more on the tactical side.
It of course all boils down to personal preference. I'm 5'5", so for me it's all about weight and being compact. Someone 6' plus wouldn't give that a second thought... Once a pack is involved, it's all about hunting.
You can't eat a steel target.

If you're still hell bent on a folder, you could do an ultra light ar platform in whatever cartridge the forums say is best this week using an sb3 brace, law tactical folder and a super short or Carbon barrel.

All personal preference.

 

[ofbandg]

Have you thought about a single shot break open style? They come in many calibers and you can take them apart in and fit them in an 18 inch sleeve - and you can take a shotgun barrel along as an extra if you are going with a group.

 

[ccmain]

Hey man have you looked at desert tech?

This has a 22' barrel and APA fat bastard and is shorter than a standard action by 9". Shoots .mil work Ammo just fine too.

That is an awesome looking rig. I want one!

 

[BallisticsGuy]

Short barrels I'd go with something like a .358win or .338 Federal for that short of a barrel. The big fat bore and smallish case will work very well together with faster rifle powders. Recoil will be pronounced on such a small and light rifle but that probably won't matter the minute you use it on something that bleeds. Slim chance you'll notice the recoil at all. At the sighting range though, bring an Outers shoulder pad.