Help me pick my next barrel

[Josh06]

Looking for ideas for the next barrel on my Savage short action that has a 308 bolt face, pure precision (mesa) altitude stock, leupold mk5 3.6-18. It currently has a 16" 308 barrel but wanting to put something on it that fits between my 22cm and 280ai. Considering 6cm, 25cm, 6.5cm, 260, 260ai, 7-08. 7-08ai.....don't mind wildcats and fire forming but has to work well in short action and have a 308 bolt face. I like short barrels so probably wouldn't go over 22" preferably 20".

 

[Mike D Texas]

In my opinion you have the most efficient cartridge in a short barrel with the .308. All of the other smaller bore cartridges are going to be a trade off. The second best consideration would probably be the 6CM.

 

[TRG65]

260AI is my suggestion. However, it really comes down to what are you trying to do with the rifle. I have a 6.5x55AI very similar to the 260AI, I also have a 6CM. The 6CM is a lot of fun to shoot and is good for steel, deer, groundhogs, and predators, but the 6.5AI is better in every way except it has a bit more recoil. I've looked at doing a 7-08 or 7-08AI, while the drift would be better, I would like more speed for hunting.

 

[dnb86]

Another vote for a 7-08ai in a krieger bbl

 

[Mike D Texas]

260AI is my suggestion. However, it really comes down to what are you trying to do with the rifle. I have a 6.5x55AI very similar to the 260AI, I also have a 6CM. The 6CM is a lot of fun to shoot and is good for steel, deer, groundhogs, and predators, but the 6.5AI is better in every way except it has a bit more recoil. I've looked at doing a 7-08 or 7-08AI, while the drift would be better, I would like more speed for hunting.

260AI is my favorite 308 based cartridge.

 

[logman48]

Love my 260AI

 

[lancetkenyon]

I currently have:
24" 6CM 105 Hyb @ 3188fps
26" 25CM (x2) 135 Hyb @ 2990 and 133 Elite @ 2975
22" 6.5CM 130 OTM @ 2840
22" 6.5SLR 130 OTM @ 2925
24" .260AI 130 OTM @ 3086 or 140 Hyb @ 2975

I just ordered parts tonight to build a 22" 25CM to run the 133s (hopefully about 2900), and a 20" .260AI to run the 140 Hyb (hopefully @ 2850+).

For me, a 7-08AI would really only run the 140-150 at good enough speeds for my tastes in a 20". And if I am sticking with a 140, I would much rather go with the 6.5mm version to gain a bunch of BC and SD.

 

[Josh06]

25cm seems to be the exact middle but I'm hesitant due to bullet selection and availability. Is that valid or is selection and availability good? I see the 134 eldm and some various others. I'm sure there's always a hammer bullet that would work.

 

[lancetkenyon]

25cm seems to be the exact middle but I'm hesitant due to bullet selection and availability. Is that valid or is selection and availability good? I see the 134 eldm and some various others. I'm sure there's always a hammer bullet that would work.

133 Berger Elite Hunter
134 Hornady ELD-M
135 Berger LR Hyb

The Bergers are easy to get. Not sure on Hornady.

There are a few others, 121 Hammer Hunter as well.

 

[ARlife4me]

I wasn't a 308win fan until doing some test and found out that cartridge is efficient (like posted above). Others based on 308 are less efficient, but still effective. If bc is a concern then go with a 26cal for best weight. I now can run 150's in 26, 27, 28 and 30 cals.

 

[Josh06]

Well, I went completely different than what I was originally planning to do and got a 26" 260 barrel 1/8 twist planning on trying 140 and 147 eldms first. Longest barrel I have on anything else is 22" so I figured I would try it out again. Haven't had a 26" barrel on a gun in several years.

 

[LBEdgin]

For the price it's hard to beat Wilson, they make barrel for Cooper.

 

[Dirtrax]

Well that was a waste of time. It was like asking for a favorite dog then buying a cat.

 

[Josh06]

Well that was a waste of time. It was like asking for a favorite dog then buying a cat.

260 was still one of the options I mentioned in the op. I found a deal that I couldn't pass up so thought I'd give it a shot. I'm sure the first time I hit the barrel on the door and cab getting it out of my truck I'll be kicking myself.