Bad Decision? 20” Barrel 270 win

[timberelk]

In my quest to find a light weight mountain rifle I found a savage 116 stainless light weight hunter for $399 new at Cabela's so I ordered in with little thought because of how good the deal was. It won't be delivered to Cabela's for another week or so, but I've been reading....

The gun receives great reviews and is very accurate. But after reading it looks like I'll lose about 160 FPS from a 24" barrel and it will be supposebaly much louder and have a lot of muzzle blast? I can still cancel my order with Cabela's and buy a weatherby wilderness rifle with a 24" barrel

The rifle will be used on western game out to 500/600 yards

Can you guys confirm or deny these short barrel allegations?

 

[FEENIX]

In my quest to find a light weight mountain rifle I found a savage 116 stainless light weight hunter for $399 new at Cabela's so I ordered in with little thought because of how good the deal was. It won't be delivered to Cabela's for another week or so, but I've been reading....

The gun receives great reviews and is very accurate. But after reading it looks like I'll lose about 160 FPS from a 24" barrel and it will be supposebaly much louder and have a lot of muzzle blast? I can still cancel my order with Cabela's and buy a weatherby wilderness rifle with a 24" barrel

The rifle will be used on western game out to 500/600 yards

Can you guys confirm or deny these short barrel allegations?

Your title says 20" but you're talking about 24" barrel, so which is it? "I" think you're making it harder than it needed to be. Find the best compromise and go for it.

As far as the velocity issue, check out >>> http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...t-barrel-length-muzzle-velocity-and-accuracy/

 

[timberelk]

Your title says 20" but you're talking about 24" barrel, so which is it? "I" think you're making it harder than it needed to be. Find the best compromise and go for it.

As far as the velocity issue, check out >>> http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...t-barrel-length-muzzle-velocity-and-accuracy/

The gun I purchased is the Savage with the 20". I was simply saying I could cancel my order and get a weatherby wilderness with a 24" for $799

 

[Capt RB]

I shoot an 18" 06 Muzzle rise and blast is significantly more. You can mitigate some velocity loss with a faster powder. But that will just reduce the amount of velocity loss per inch. It will not be faster than the slower powder but will cut down on the flame thrower effect

 

[timberelk]

Will 2 or 4" more inches of barrel really (going from 20" to 22" or 24") really make a noticeable difference in muzzle rise/ muzzle blast and how loud the rifle is?

I shoot an 18" 06 Muzzle rise and blast is significantly more. You can mitigate some velocity loss with a faster powder. But that will just reduce the amount of velocity loss per inch. It will not be faster than the slower powder but will cut down on the flame thrower effect

 

[FEENIX]

The gun I purchased is the Savage with the 20". I was simply saying I could cancel my order and get a weatherby wilderness with a 24" for $799

If you cannot compromise on the velocity loss with the 20" then go with the 24".

 

[Capt RB]

It seems too. Half of it is perceived due to the extra noise. Short 270's are more overbore than short 30/06's. They also kick less so muzzle rise will be less but the muzzle flash will be more. I've tested over snow with Rl 19, IMR 4064 and 4895. I get best velocity with RL 19 I also get more powder residue on the snow with that powder. 4895 showed the least but was still slower than the other 2 powders. Muzzle flash and recoil is hard to quantify but it seemed to have less flash.

 

[timberelk]

Will 2 or 4" more inches of barrel really (going from 20" to 22" or 24") really make a noticeable difference in muzzle rise/ muzzle blast and how loud the rifle is?

If you cannot compromise on the velocity loss with the 20" then go with the 24".

Lossing aprroximately 160 FPS doesn't concern me that much but much louder and much more muzzle riser and much more muzzle flash is a little concerning

 

[FEENIX]

Will 2 or 4" more inches of barrel really (going from 20" to 22" or 24") really make a noticeable difference in muzzle rise/ muzzle blast and how loud the rifle is?

I have a Carl Gustav carbine (18" barrel) in 6.5x55 with manageable muzzle blast/rise with my handloads.

 

[FEENIX]

Lossing aprroximately 160 FPS doesn't concern me that much but much louder and much more muzzle riser and much more muzzle flash is a little concerning

Again, that's the compromise you'll have to make.

 

[Capt RB]

Electronic muffs worn cure the blast issue. I wish I had bought them alot longer ago to be honest. No matter what the recoil of a 270 is not fierce in any way. I suffered a partially detached retna when I was competing with a shotgun. I sold off everything above 270 when that happened. After it was healed and good for a few years I went back to the pump 30/06 that is 18".

 

[timberelk]

Electronic muffs worn cure the blast issue. I wish I had bought them alot longer ago to be honest. No matter what the recoil of a 270 is not fierce in any way. I suffered a partially detached retna when I was competing with a shotgun. I sold off everything above 270 when that happened. After it was healed and good for a few years I went back to the pump 30/06 that is 18".

I agree that ear muffs are essential with rifles but this would almost be strictly a hunting gun so I would not typically have access to ear plugs while hunting. I don't antipate more than a shot for two when hunting so I may be blowing this out of porportion.

Can anyone put a rough percentage on how much louder and how much more muzzle rise a 270 with a 20" barrel would be vs a 24" barrel?

 

[Capt RB]

I agree that ear muffs are essential with rifles but this would almost be strictly a hunting gun so I would not typically have access to ear plugs while hunting. I don't antipate more than a shot for two when hunting so I may be blowing this out of porportion.

Can anyone put a rough percentage on how much louder and how much more muzzle rise a 270 with a 20" barrel would be vs a 24" barrel?

I wear the electronic muffs from when I leave the truck while hunting. I can hear better while hunting. My ears stay warm/dry without a hood which hinders my peripheral vision. Again I wish I started using them much earlier in my hunting career

 

[26Reload]

We have a Ruger compact 260 with only a 16" barrel...I don't notice the noise while shooting reloads with RL17 @ 2900fps at the range with phones on...and while hunting situations often don't allow for hearing protection all the time..the worst noise is inside timber or along side of a solid material ...easily manageable recoil...and very accurate....
Have been thinking of putting a muzzle brake on a new rebuilt 65284 with a redirectional bell.....haven't gotten that far but have heard(read) good things about the idea...lots of AR shooters with the same configuration..can't be a bad idea..especially with a short barrel....