Hi folks, I am thinking of building a short barreled hunting rifle to use with a 7" suppressor, possibly with an 18" barrel. I am hoping for something with a bit more kick then my current 6.5 creedmoor, but realize the short barrel can be limiting. Do any of you have an 18" hunting rifle? If so, what caliber, and can you tell me what you think of it? Thanks.
Short barreled rifles
- Thread starter Jhsjhs
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
elkaholic
Well-Known Member
Lots of happy clients running SS and SST with short barrels.
shermanwildcatcartridges.com
HARPERC
Well-Known Member
I've had good experience with basic .30-06. If I was building such today it would be a .300 PRC, or Rich's Sherman version..
Send it 284
Well-Known Member
I'm getting 2850 with 140s and H1000 in a 16" 6.5 saum, I'll bet you'd easily hit 2950 with an 18" barrel. I love it for a timber/ 500 yard lightweight hunting set up
Also look at the 7wsm or SAUM
I've played with a LOT of short barrels between 16-18" in a bunch of different chamberings. What performance are you trying to get and do you have any action/bolt face limitations?
As a general rule, figure out the performance you'd be happy with from a 24-26" barrel, then go up one class in chambering for a short barrel. Expample:
You want to shoot a 140gr 6.5 mm bullet at 2800 fps. That lands you in the realm of a 6.5 Creedoor in a standard rifle barrel (for most factory loads). To get that in an 18" barrel, I'd look at something like a 6.5-06, 6.5x284 Win, or 6.5 PRC. If I wanted 308 Win rifle ballistic in a short barrel, I'd look at the 30-06 or possibly a 300 Win Mag or WSM.
As a general rule, figure out the performance you'd be happy with from a 24-26" barrel, then go up one class in chambering for a short barrel. Expample:
You want to shoot a 140gr 6.5 mm bullet at 2800 fps. That lands you in the realm of a 6.5 Creedoor in a standard rifle barrel (for most factory loads). To get that in an 18" barrel, I'd look at something like a 6.5-06, 6.5x284 Win, or 6.5 PRC. If I wanted 308 Win rifle ballistic in a short barrel, I'd look at the 30-06 or possibly a 300 Win Mag or WSM.
Timnterra
Well-Known Member
I've built a short 18" 6.5 creedmoor and a 18" 6.5 PRC the creedmoor averaged 2520 fps with 140's and the PRC 2850fps with the 140's.
If you can source some RL-26, and its a big "IF", the creed tends to bump up in class a bit. I've got an 18" CM that I shoot suppressed. My go to hunting loads are the 140 ballistic tip and/or accubond right at 2800 fps.
For comparison, in the same barrel my play load is a 143 eldx with H4350 at 2535 fps.
That said, a SST, SAUM, or PRC should work great at 18-20" I would think.
For comparison, in the same barrel my play load is a 143 eldx with H4350 at 2535 fps.
That said, a SST, SAUM, or PRC should work great at 18-20" I would think.
danderson77808
Member
Im thinking about putting together a short barrel 6mm creed. Here's a pretty good wright up on it. I already have rifles in both 6.5cm and 6.5 prc. I thought shooting something in the 100 gr range might change things up a bit!
rifleshooter.com
6 Creedmoor barrel length versus muzzle velocity (31 to 17 inches)
6 Creedmoor barrel length and velocity 6 Creedmoor is rapidly rising in popularity among long range shooters. Combining an efficient case design with the wide range of excellent 6mm bullets, the 6…
rifleshooter.com
Lapua brass SRP
CCI 450
RL-26 48.5 grains
140 BT/AB jumping 0.020"
Here is a thread on the subject, plenty of data... The creed and RL-26 seem to pair very well.
RL26 and 6.5 Creedmoor
Went shooting this morning to test a new bullet and powder combo, 6.5 creedmoor 147 eld , started at 46.0 grains 2850 fps and worked up to 50.0 grains 3060 fps, col 2.80", 49.0 was the best load 3005 fps, Savage model 10 predator max1 1-8" twist 24" barrel.
TexasTB
Well-Known Member
20" 7mm-08 162 ELDX @ 2640 fps
20" 6mmXC 105 Berger VLD @ 3000 fps
20" 22-250 75 Hornady ELDM @ 3075 fps
20" 6mmXC 105 Berger VLD @ 3000 fps
20" 22-250 75 Hornady ELDM @ 3075 fps
elkaholic
Well-Known Member
20" 6.5 ss 2975/156 and 3100'/140
Matt Tatum
Well-Known Member
I run a 18" creed also. I shoot it suppressed 90% of the time. I shoot the 130 tipped game king "gamechanger". Gun is a hammer. I use h4350 and they run 2700fps. I'm thinking about doing a 16" for my kids to learn on.
mnshortdraw
Well-Known Member
20" 6.5cm with 130 vld's is happily making 2825 with h4350.
16" 308 is making 2575 with 168smk's and 4064. Some calibers lose less than others in shorter tubes.
16" 308 is making 2575 with 168smk's and 4064. Some calibers lose less than others in shorter tubes.
