7mm-08 Barrel Lenght

[retiredcpo]

Looking at the Ruger hawkeye in 7mm 08 for a new light carry rifle
but not sure how a 16 in barrel will perform.
This guns max range would be around 500 yards.
How well will a barrel this short perform?
Thanks
Retiredcpo

 

[varmintH8R]

Hi Retired,

There was recently another thread where a member was asking about 7-08 performance in an 18in barrel. Check it out here: http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f28/7mm08-help-108630/

If you can get a 140gr pill moving at 2600fps, you should hold over 1000 lbs of energy at 400 yds. I would guess that 2600fps is possible with a 16" barrel, but there is only one way to know for sure . . .

 

[varmintH8R]

I also pulled out the reloading manuals. Both Lyman and Hornady have 7-08 data in the T/C Encore with a 15" barrel

Lyman - fastest max load w/ 140gr bullet = 2584fps

Hornady - 4 listed powders in the 2500's, one in the 2600's

So based on this I would assume you can get right around or slightly less than 2600fps with a 16" tube. Using the generally accepted criteria of 1000 ft lbs of energy as the minimum for deer sized game, max range would be around 400 yds

Hope that helps.

 

[retiredcpo]

well the info helps
Im thinking about changing to a remington with 22 in barrel
im thinking ill get more velocity and better accuracy
retiredcpo