While I assume that the .308 will be at or near the top of the list, I was curious what most here suggest for calibers best suited (or still having acceptable ballistics) for barrel lengths between 16.5-20" might be? This will be a hunting rifle used mostly here in Texas for everything from whitetail to antelope and even aoudad. I am interested in these shorter barrel lengths because I plan to run a TBAC Ultra7 on the end and I don't want a freaking light saber of gun since it'll see some occasional use in the blind and tree stands. I know I will give up velocity and energy with most calibers when going shorter but I don't foresee this rifle getting use beyond 400-500 yards max. Let me hear your thoughts and suggestions.
I can give you actual MV's for barrel lengths, that are accurate at 100 and downrange.
These will primarily be 15.75, 17", and 18" barrel lengths, with both factory and reloads.
With Aoudad in mind with a shorter barrel, I would lean toward the 6.5 PRC for a 6.5 caliber, especially if you want to stretch things out.
The 7mm-08 and the 308 Winchester will work good too.
First off,
I don't use fastest burning powders for a cartridge/bullet in short barrels.
I get great accuracy.
Some of these are obviously
NOT big game cartridges.
I highlighted some of these.
18" 338AX (338 Lapua Improved) with 300 grain SMK's at just under 2700 fps, using Retumbo
15" 20 BR with 55's and
Varget -
3173 fps 15" 223 Rem with 77's and Varget - 2675 fps
15.9" 22 GT with 88's and RL26 - 2940 fps 18" 22 GT with 88's and RL26 - 3073 fps
14" 25 Creedmoor with 110's and H-4350 2726 fps 18" 25 PRC with 131's and H-1000 3168 fps
18" 26 Nosler with
147's and
RL33 (210M primer)
3045 fps 18" 284 Winchester with 162's and H-4831sc 2600 fps
18" 300 RUM with 230's and Retumbo (Fed Mag primer) 2825 fps
14.5" 308 Winchester with Factory TAP ammo 168's at 2375 fps 18" 6 Creed with 103's, H-4350 at 2893 fps
15.75" 6 Creed with H-4350 and 105's at 2780 fps
16" 6 Creed with factory 103's and 108 's 103=2791 fps and 108=2704 fps
18" 6.5 PRC with factory 143's at 2818 fps 18" 6.5-06 H-4831sc or Hybrid 100V (Can't remember know) @ 2880 fps with 140 A-Max
15.9" 6mm-284 with 90 grain AB's and H-4831@ 2900 fps 18" 7mm SAUM with 162's and
H-1000 @ 2650 fps
18" 7mm Dakota with 175's and RL33 (CCI BR primer) @ 2900 fps 15" 6mm-6.5x47 Lapua Improved (Long Dasher) with H-4350 and 105's at 2800 fps
15" 6.5x47 Lapua, Varget and 130's at 2523 fps
17" 6.5-284 with H-4350 (210M) and 140's at 2784 fps
15.75" 308 Winchester with 155's and H-4895 @ 2555 fps 15" 22-250 with 50 grain V-Max @ 3100 fps
17" 6.5 Creed with factory American Gunner 140's @ 2550 and with factory 147's @ 2470 fps. 18" 22 Creed MRP and a 82 grain bullet @ 3105 fps
15" 6BR with Varget and a 105 @ 2380 fps
15" 221 Fireball improved with IMR 4227 @ 2639 fps
14 or 15 inch 20 Vartarg with H-4198 and 40 grain bullet @ 3271 fps
15" 6XC with H-4350 and 107's at 2731 fps
20" 7mm LRM with H-1000 and 180's at 2775 fps
18" 6.5-284 with 147's and H-4831sc 2520 fpswww.rokslide.com
