Before I send my rifles off to get threaded, I wanted some input from those with multiple suppressed rifles. I like the idea of having suppressed shorty hunting rifles, but I'm unsure about high velocity calibers like .243 and .270. I have Tikka T3 Lites and was thinking of chopping them back to 18-20" or should I just leave them at 22"? I already have short ARs so I was leaning towards keeping them long. I'm guessing at least the .270 would be pretty inefficient (unburnt powder) at that length and would barely be hearing safe with my Omega. Are any of you 100% shorty converts or do you still have rifles with long barrels? Deer and predator season are coming up so I need help making up my mind.
Short or long barrel for high velocity calibers?
- Thread starter roky0702
- Start date
3DHUSKER
Active member
You do what you feel is good for you.
I keep most all my rifles at 22 inches or longer for hunting. You have to find the sweet spot for you.
On the other hand I do have a few SBR's I pull out from time to time that I would use in a blind if I weren't shooting more than 50 yards, but like I said That is just me.
Just keep in mind that the shorter the barrel the louder your weapon is even suppressed. Some times its best to just hunt with out a can and keep the long barrel for that one shot, then to have a short suppressed barrel that is loud anyway and not have full power.
If your unsure, cut one and give it a try and if your satisfied do the rest.
I keep most all my rifles at 22 inches or longer for hunting. You have to find the sweet spot for you.
On the other hand I do have a few SBR's I pull out from time to time that I would use in a blind if I weren't shooting more than 50 yards, but like I said That is just me.
If your unsure, cut one and give it a try and if your satisfied do the rest.
I let the topography and style of hunting dictate which rifle I grab but personally I'm partial to shorter barrels for hunting. In the eastern US I've never found the need for the extra velocity of a long barrel as most shots at big game are under 300 and my 20" 308 still has tons of energy at twice that. If your talking about a calling coyote rifle your most likely shooting under 100. If your not walking far or are traveling in open terrain without brush and limbs to snag on, a long barrel is fine. If you stalk/walk a long ways in rugged terrain you'll HATE your long barrel! If your dead set on needing a long barrel for the extra 125fps or so, look at getting a good Eberlestock or similar pack and also a folding chassis like AIs, McCrees etc.
These are my mid-range deer and coyote rifles for when it's windy/shooting out to a few hundred yards. I've been reading more on barrel length vs velocity in these calibers and will probably keep them 22" since they are overbore. It seems more beneficial to keep them as efficient as possible. .308 does well in short barrels, but I think chopping them would affect them too much. Plus, I already have shorter rifles.
Phil Boyles
New member
I threaded my Tikka T3 Lite 243 Win at factory length. I was able to use a SiCo 1/2×28 brake in 30 cal for my Omega. The smith sad it had a nice shoulder left and it shoots real nice.
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I may have done one of the more extreme of these options last year.
I had a 19" barrel spun up for my 6x284 shooting 105 gr pills.
It really comes down to the bullet choice, powder options and what you plan to do with the rifle.
FOR ME, I was using the rifle for a LR match rifle with 3200fps speed limits.
By choosing a 19" barrel, I was able to run a slow powder, with a heavy, high BC bullet right at 3160 fps with one of the shortest rifles on the firing line.
One benefit to this, is that slower powders burn cooler and there is less powder used per case...which yields a slight barrel life increase. I was able to squeeze right at 1200 rounds of match accurate life from my barrel. However, accuracy completely fell off at that mark. When it was toast, it was TOAST.
The other benefit, is that I was able to run a rifle, and suppressor in a package that most people had to use a rifle and brake. This is big when you're using barricades and negotiating hazardous terrain.
By knowing my speeds, and ballistics, 1400 yd shots at matches was a non-issue.
With the powder charge that I was using, quickload yielded an estimate of 98% powder burn, which was good enough for me. In order to get a 100% powder burn, I had to drop my charge to a point where accuracy was a little to inconsistent.
I did, however, choose to rebarrel to 22" when it was all over, and chose to use a 115 gr bullet, which...again, puts me just below match speed limits.
I personally don't see any downside in running a short barrel, especially when it's for hunting.
I had a 19" barrel spun up for my 6x284 shooting 105 gr pills.
It really comes down to the bullet choice, powder options and what you plan to do with the rifle.
FOR ME, I was using the rifle for a LR match rifle with 3200fps speed limits.
By choosing a 19" barrel, I was able to run a slow powder, with a heavy, high BC bullet right at 3160 fps with one of the shortest rifles on the firing line.
One benefit to this, is that slower powders burn cooler and there is less powder used per case...which yields a slight barrel life increase. I was able to squeeze right at 1200 rounds of match accurate life from my barrel. However, accuracy completely fell off at that mark. When it was toast, it was TOAST.
The other benefit, is that I was able to run a rifle, and suppressor in a package that most people had to use a rifle and brake. This is big when you're using barricades and negotiating hazardous terrain.
By knowing my speeds, and ballistics, 1400 yd shots at matches was a non-issue.
With the powder charge that I was using, quickload yielded an estimate of 98% powder burn, which was good enough for me. In order to get a 100% powder burn, I had to drop my charge to a point where accuracy was a little to inconsistent.
I did, however, choose to rebarrel to 22" when it was all over, and chose to use a 115 gr bullet, which...again, puts me just below match speed limits.
I personally don't see any downside in running a short barrel, especially when it's for hunting.