Short Barrel Ranch Rifle Cartridge Choice
- By XP1K
- Bolt Action Rifles
- 30 Replies
I have to say, I just chambered a 22arc for a friend of mine on a ruger american, and I was pretty impressed. Finished it at 18"To me, recoil isn't much of a factor since a big magnum is out of the question. I also don't consider modern Creedmoor-class cartridges in <22" barrels to be hearing safe, even with a suppressor. So additional hearing protection is mandatory (for me)... and since I'm doing that, I might as well save myself the 4-6 inches and leave it off. YMMV.
Having farted around with "ranch rifles" and truck guns for a while now myself, I will trade a little portability for MPBR and faster follow-up shots - because you'll likely not have time for application of a rangefinder... So the braced 10.5" ARs and 16.5" bolt guns aren't for me either. Again, YMMV.
If someone told me that I had to build another ranch rifle tomorrow, I'd end up with an 18" 22/6 ARC on an AR. You could go a step further and put a folding stock adapter on it too if you wanted. That is still short enough to fit perpendicular next to you in the cab of a truck or SxS, but long enough to get some velocity with the right bullet.
Not sure what factory fodder would do but he's loading 80's running 2900. About to do another one for my brother on a tikka. I think he's going to use the full blank. May cut it down to 24" but he doesn't want to go under that. It ought to be pretty fast.