338 Norma terribly easy to tune and great in a 20-22 in barrel...I have 2 one with a 24 and one with a 22--about 45 fps difference in the two...id even go 20 inch barrel. Hits like a ton of bricks---no 30 can keep up. Shoot the 225 lazerhead increadbly flat at around 3000 fps, 250 berger at an easy 2800 accurate node and 285 ELD I get 2780 fps out of a 24 in barrel.
I'm running a 20" 300WM throwing 208amax at 2700. I used to push 190smk about 2850. I'd imagin you could sling the 180 pretty fast, fast enough anyways. If you need load data I can share some. Good luck.Ok, now we're talk'n Mr. Aoudad. I prefer a 20" barrel and willing to sacrifice a few FPS. Oh, and aoudad is on my short list.
If you're dead set on that short barrel you'll need a short cartridge case. Efficiency will suck and muzzle blast will be awful in that length if you use a relatively large case. Consider a longer barrel and you options for cartridge selection will grow. Additionally, distances less than 650 yds can be achieved easily with many cartridges. If 180gr class projectiles are your intent, the two cartridges that I have enough experience with to weigh in on are 30-06, and 300wm. You would be far better suited with the 06' in a 22" barrel which is common in factory rifles. Longer barrels give greater performance, but 22" is appropriate. I have killed enough deer at the ranges noted with a highly accurate 30-06 and 180 class bullets to be comfortable placing the combo on the "heavy hitter," list.(heavy enough) I run a variety of 185 gr bullets out of a 24" barrel a bit above 2800fps and the results leave nothing to be desired by me, with regard to accuracy and terminal performance.Hello:
I'm looking for opinions on what caliber you would recommend for ranges out to 650 yards or so, using 180 grain bullets, or similar. It would be strictly for hunting, in a bolt action, and be delivered via a 20-22" barrel...without a muzzle break. The lighter the better , and no, recoil is not an issue. i'm looking for a heavy hitter in the .30 caliber class.
The .338 was the first thing that came to mind though I am hopeful for feedback. I love short barreled big bore rifles, and with a thumbhole stock I feel at one wit my gun,
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Thanks for the feedback. Can I ask who you hunted with, and who you'll be hunting with in the future ? Feel free to pm me .The Norma would be perfect for that...we were going to do Kuban Tur and Mid-caucus Tur in 2020--but COVID killed that so it will be 2022/20223 before that happens if at all now. I'll Post my midasian ibex...I missed an absolute brute of an ibex at 580 yards--but had a borrowed rifle, and it was windy and snowy--and sometimes you just miss....but got re done end the end.
I just want to say THANKS to everyone who has responded thus far. The feedback is extremely helpful. I may have included some contradictory information in my original post...please feel free to point out where I might be straying as positive feedback is how we expand our knowledge base.Why not just get a 300 WM. It works easily out to 600 yards. I have done this without the funny named 300s. Unless you need a rifle that y have t reload for, get a WM and bee done
.366" is not legal where .375 is required!@AKGuide , you mentioned a 20 inch barrel. With that in mind, the bigger the BORE, the more efficient burn with much less muzzle blast with that short barrel. I'm leaning towards the 338/358 Norma Mags (the newer Belt-less versions). I humbly think either would be ideal for you.
Check out B&M Rifles if you are looking for something "different." Their rifle packages are awesome, and the 9.3 B&M would have you legal ANYWHERE.