16" barrel/caliber combo for 1K yards

[Lapua904]

Hey guys,

looking for advice/suggestions
Want to build a 16 inch barreled bolt gun for shooting 800-1k with enough energy and speed for deer sized animals
Let me here it

Lapua904

 

[MSURunner]

That's going to depend a lot on what you determine to be enough energy and speed for deer sized animals. My first thought would be 6.5 PRC Bullets and brass are available for it, so you will have options, lots of options. This will likely be important when choosing to go with a non-standard length. My load developed for a 24.3" Tikka is projected to push a 156 EOL at 2575 fps in a 16". That would get you to 800 with about 1700 fps and 1000 ft/lbs of energy. I would personally call that a cutoff point (if not slightly sooner). If you wanted to get to 1000, I think you're going to need to get a bunch more case capacity, and you're gonna lose a ton of efficiency then. Are you looking to run suppressed? If so, you will likely be bumping up against barrel length restrictions for your can.

 

[bultinkle]

Pick a bullet

Minimum expansion velocity

Add 100 fps

Ballistics calculator at your elevation will tell you the MV you need

 

[Lapua904]

I was thinking maybe a 7 PRC

 

[MSURunner]

I was thinking maybe a 7 PRC

7 PRC will result in pretty much the same velocities as the 6.5 but with about 100 ft/lbs more energy. I don't think the animal would notice. The problem is you really are going to struggle to accelerate ANYTHING up to speed in that short of a barrel while still having decent ballistics at that range...

 

[ResearchinStuff]

6 UM can do it, 6.5 prc comes up just sort, 6 creed isn't close.

 

[Huntnpack]

Pick a bullet & caliber you would like to use that will get you to 750-800 yds & run it.

 

[Farmerbrown32]

I have an 18" 338 lapua and it is deadly with 285eldm

 

[Lapua904]

Appreciate it guys
I'm not much on ballistic calculators but I'll see what a 300 PRC looks like in 16-18 maybe

 

[Grizzman47]

Do you plan to suppress it? If so, that'll add some virtual barrel length.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Do you plan to suppress it? If so, that'll add some virtual barrel length.

About 1/2" worth. I have only seen up to 17fps gains with the exact same load suppressed vs unsuppressed. Most have been about 12fps. Some as little as 8.

 

[Lapua904]

I will not a suppressor
I'll run a brake on it as I will use it for steel shooting also
Which calculator do you suggest?

 

[ResearchinStuff]

4dof or jbm for free ballistics solvers

 

[Buffalobwana]

Everything is a trade off when it comes to barrel length, caliber choice and velocity.

I did this mental battle with my (hopefully soon to be delivered) 6.5 PRC. Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT. It's going to wear a can and I want a gun that isn't unwieldy to hunt with.

I have a 20" 308 and that is (to me) the best balance of length, velocity loss (over a 24-26" tube) and weight. Add an Omega and you have a 26" overall length gun

My choice was all about length as my 26" 7mag was a pita to hunt with wearing a can.