Shorter barrel on 26 Nosler or 6.5 SAUM 4s?

[SouthTXBowhunter]

I'm interested in building a compact and lightweight hunting rifle in 6.5mm that'll push 140s fast. It'll be suppressed and I'd like to use a 22" bbl or, at longest, a 24" bbl. I'm interested in the 26 Nosler and the 6.5 SAUM 4s but I can't find any info on the effect (especially on the 26 Nosler) about cutting the barrel shorter. I realize that I'll loose some velocity but I'm wondering how much and whether there are any other pitfalls to going a little shorter than typical lengths, with these 2 calibers? Has anyone gone shorter with either of these calibers?

 

[Shooter264]

My 24" 6.5 SAUM runs 140's at 3080, my 22" is 3060

 

[SouthTXBowhunter]

My 24" 6.5 SAUM runs 140's at 3080, my 22" is 3060

Thanks for the reply! That's good news. If you don't mind me asking, what brass are you using and if you're using Hornady brass, how many loadings are you getting out of them?

 

[Shooter264]

I'm using Norma brass. I had some of the first hornady brass that was junk but will try the new hornady when this Norma is done.

 

[Len Backus]

Figure 25 fps per inch.

 

[B23]

Everyone has different ideas about things but for me, if you're wanting a short barreled somewhat light weight rifle in a 6.5, the SAUM or WSM are, in my opinion, a better option. In a barrel that short you're only going to give up about 100fps to the MUCH larger case capacity of the 26 Nosler. A 6.5 SAUM or 6.5 WSM will get you within 100fps but it'll do it in a short action, which will help cut weight, and will do it with 20+grains less powder.

There's no doubt about it, the 26 Nosler and 6.5-300Wby in none wildcat cartridges are pretty much the speed kings but they're doing it by burning 85+ grains of powder and with that kind of case capacity in a 22-24 inch tube, it'd be like driving a NHRA Pro Stock as your daily driver.

 

[SouthTXBowhunter]

Everyone has different ideas about things but for me, if you're wanting a short barreled somewhat light weight rifle in a 6.5, the SAUM or WSM are, in my opinion, a better option. In a barrel that short you're only going to give up about 100fps to the MUCH larger case capacity of the 26 Nosler. A 6.5 SAUM or 6.5 WSM will get you within 100fps but it'll do it in a short action, which will help cut weight, and will do it with 20+grains less powder.

There's no doubt about it, the 26 Nosler and 6.5-300Wby in none wildcat cartridges are pretty much the speed kings but they're doing it by burning 85+ grains of powder and with that kind of case capacity in a 22-24 inch tube, it'd be like driving a NHRA Pro Stock as your daily driver.

Those 2 extra inches (26" bbl) really make that much difference in the 26 Nosler? Interesting. I wouldn't have thought it made that much difference but that's exactly why I asked.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Just build a 6.5 SS.

 

[WildRose]

Those 2 extra inches (26" bbl) really make that much difference in the 26 Nosler? Interesting. I wouldn't have thought it made that much difference but that's exactly why I asked.

It does due to the case capacity.

Also, with the Nosler barrel life will probably be less than half what you'd expect from the 6.5 Saum.

If I were you I'd give firm consideration to the .264wm.

 

[SeanD]

Id figure 25fps per inch for either. I don't think the 26 will lose much more than the 4s as a short barrel. however much faster the 26 is at 26" will be pretty close to how much faster it would be if they were both 22".

Read a post by Charlie Sisk years ago where he did an experiment cutting barrels down from long to short and measuring velocity for a bunch of different calibers. They all lost about 20 or 25 fps per inch regardless if they were a "magnum" or not. All of the powder is basically burned waaaay before the bullet reaches the end of the barrel.

I'd build for balance/weight.

 

[breakshntr]

There's lots of powder to be burnt with the 26 nosler, 26 to 28" tubes and a proper chamber for the largest pills is about the only place the 26 starts to make sense and shine. The 6.5 GAP will be a MUCH better choice for a shorter barrel. Personally I would not go shorter than 24" with 25" being better, still a good bit of powder that needs to be burn to maximize this particular cambering. Throat it for 143 eldx's and make it 24-25" and you will have a nice rig with better barrel life than the 26 Nosler. I'd be willing to bet that the 26 Nosler would be lucky to have a 100 fps advantage if both were loaded with appropriate propellants and 140 grain bullets.

 

[breakshntr]

For a 26 Nosler to really start to shine Berger or Hornaday need to come out with a 155 to 160 grain bullet with out getting the bearing surface out of wack and have a Hybrid design. Ream a custom chamber for such a bullet (Think 28 Nosler and the 195 Berger) Even then thats a lot of piston to get moving with not a whole lot of *** end to get things moving. Think healthy dose of RE33 and a 28" tube with a BC of .7+ Now the 26 Nosler will be alive!

 

[toddc]

Honestly with a 22" uhhhhhh wouldn't a hmmmm uhhhh just about any SA cartridge be more logical? I know I know I'm rarely logical either but you are talking about a very small difference between a tiny 6.5 Creed versus either of those. The BC is the magic in the 6.5 arena, not the velocity anyway.
22" is short for a SAUM much less a Nosler. Between the two SAUM all day long. Otherwise spin on a Creed or 260 and be within a hair of the other two.

 

[Bob lee]

Honestly with a 22" uhhhhhh wouldn't a hmmmm uhhhh just about any SA cartridge be more logical? I know I know I'm rarely logical either but you are talking about a very small difference between a tiny 6.5 Creed versus either of those. The BC is the magic in the 6.5 arena, not the velocity anyway.
22" is short for a SAUM much less a Nosler. Between the two SAUM all day long. Otherwise spin on a Creed or 260 and be within a hair of the other two.

Not sure what your idea of within a hair is but I have a creed , a 6.5 saum and a 260 rem . I promise you the saum is much faster than creed and a good 200 fps faster than the 260 in the rifles I own . All wear 24 inch barrels and all shooting Thier best about a grain and a half off of first pressure sign . Definitely go with the saum if you handling. If shooting factory I would go 260 for hunting which you mentioned. Only advantage to the creed is cheaper ammo if you don't handload.