Thread: Reloading For short barrels

Since joining the forum, I have begun to notice the shortie version of a normal hunting rifle.

It occurs to me that this might be a fun thing to have, one day.

Reading Ryan's account of his new 270, it occurred to me that I really know nothing about the specifics of reloading for short barrels.

What kind of powder do you use as a general rule, and are there any other things to take into account?

If I got a shortie, It would likely be 308/7mm08/243.

In general you want to use something faster burning than what you would use in a long barrel but there are restrictions to this as you will find pressure earlier with a faster powder, there seem to be some exceptions to this rule such as reloader 17 which seems an excellent powder for most calibers in a short barrel, despite being designed as a powder for large capacity magnum cases

As an example I know a few guys who run 308s and were using the likes of 2208 to run 130gr projectiles in a full length barrel but then went to the slightly faster 2206h with a short barrel and didn't lose a lot of performance

You are trying to balance good burn efficiency and maximize velocity.

As for loads it depends what you want. If you are a sub 300m point and shoot guy then going to a lighter projy (and usually faster powder) to maximise PBR is the way to go.
If you like to turn turrets then you can still load long heavy-ish bullets and just turn a few more clicks

I was assuming that I needed something to shoot effectively to 200m. anything beyond that is a bonus with a short barrel.

16” 308 using 2206h launches 165s out to 500 no probs

Originally Posted by Gibo

16” 308 using 2206h launches 165s out to 500 no probs
Attachment 91052

Yea I was launching 178s out of mine at around 2550fps, good grouping at 450


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The best powder for velocity is the best powder for velocity.
Maximum pressure is obtained in the first few inches of barrel.
If you are getting more by going from say 2208 to 2206h you are loading to higher pressures and may as well just up the 2208

Happy to be proved wrong by anyone who can back it up with hard data.

Most velocity is achieved in the first 10 inches / 25 cm of barrel. Your barrel looks quite adequate.

Originally Posted by Smiddy

Yea I was launching 178s out of mine at around 2550fps, good grouping at 450


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What barrel length for 178's at 2550?

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

The best powder for velocity is the best powder for velocity.
Maximum pressure is obtained in the first few inches of barrel.
If you are getting more by going from say 2208 to 2206h you are loading to higher pressures and may as well just up the 2208

Happy to be proved wrong by anyone who can back it up with hard data.

Might give it a go, got some in the shed somewhere

I run 2206h like Ryan and gibo, pushes a 150 grain SST at 2750fps from a 16inch barrel .308
Will group well out to 500m subject to wind

I find bm2 works well in my .375, 16 inch barrel sends them out at 2650fps for 250 ttsxm Just got a few 250 sierras to try
good deer medicine, have decided to use the 375 for a bit as its handier being short compared to my other rifles

Originally Posted by Echo

What barrel length for 178's at 2550?

16in


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Originally Posted by Smiddy

16in


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Thanks what powder and grains? (obviously I'd need to start lower)