Re: short barrel cartridge choices?
I run a 22" barrel on my 300WM. Not what you first think of when you talk about short barrels. But it was very impressive 2 weeks ago, watching the dramatic impact difference between a 175 gr .308 rd. and a 208 gr 300WM rd. hitting steel at 1080.
I don't give up near as much as you think. 7 mils to 1000 @ 2870 fps.
Food for thought...
John
Oh, and wind? I watched as the .308 boys struggled with 15-20 mph winds even at short distances. Those 208's made it pretty much uneventful for me until we got out past 800.