Thread: Short barrel calibres?

Just asking out of interest/ignorance (or maybe long term planning when the 300BLK runs out!), are there particular calibres that lend themselves to short barrels, say 16 inch or even shorter. 300BLK and .308 spring to mind, but you don't hear much about short barrelled .223, .243 or 7mm08 etc.

.223 is fine outve a 16 inch barrel

Originally Posted by MB

Just asking out of interest/ignorance (or maybe long term planning when the 300BLK runs out!), are there particular calibres that lend themselves to short barrels, say 16 inch or even shorter. 300BLK and .308 spring to mind, but you don't hear much about short barrelled .223, .243 or 7mm08 etc.

Any "caliber" can work short barreled, some "cartridges" however, dislike being short barreled.

30-30

Originally Posted by 257weatherby

Any "caliber" can work short barreled, some "cartridges" however, dislike being short barreled.

Sounds like a rabbit hole! Which calibres don't do well with a short barrel and common factory loads?

Originally Posted by MB

Just asking out of interest/ignorance (or maybe long term planning when the 300BLK runs out!), are there particular calibres that lend themselves to short barrels, say 16 inch or even shorter. 300BLK and .308 spring to mind, but you don't hear much about short barrelled .223, .243 or 7mm08 etc.

All of your listed calibres are quite common in short barrels

Originally Posted by MB

Sounds like a rabbit hole! Which calibres don't do well with a short barrel and common factory loads?

BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: Home

this website was an eye opener for me, I like shorter barrels and its good to have hard data to work from
its a shame there isnt more calibers there but it gives you a fair idea

Most small to medium capacity cartridges in the .223 - .308 range will be acceptable in shorter barrels within reason. Velocities can be kept up by the correct use of faster powders and light to medium bullet weights. While large capacity cartridges can be used, they are not efficient in short barrels and will produce a ball of flame at the muzzle when fired in fading light. Powder is too expensive to use to raise global warming!

Not just a rabbit hole a whole warren especially when you factor in what its for.

I thought this was a pretty interesting video, TL,DW out of an 8.5 in barrel 7.62x39 and 7.62x51 only have a difference of 30 ft/lbs at the muzzle.

crudely put the larger the bore the more efficient the round will be at the muzzle with shorter barrels as the bullet base has more area for the expanding gas to push on,
then you have to look at external ballistics and the range you want to shoot at.

ie my 358 win with 18/20" barrel has way more muzzle energy >33% than my 24" barreled 243 but past 325 mtr the 243 carries more energy due to a high bc bullet.
same basic cartridge and powder volume.

what sort of hunting are you looking to do, do you reload etc
happy shooting to only 200mtr then you could consider say 38-55/375win or 44mag (hand loads), 35 rem, 300BLK
want to get to 300 mtr then drop to a 30cal 30-30, or 358win
want to go further out then 308 or 7mm

obviously the shorter the barrel and the larger the powder charge and bullet weight the muzzle blast and recoil goes way up
heaps of choice and everyone of us has a different aim so no wrong answer here.
Z

8.6blk

Originally Posted by 55six

8.6blk

That's next on my list 12" 8.6BLK.

.338 Federal or .375-08


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by tikka

That's next on my list 12" 8.6BLK.

yeah me too but im not sure its going to do anything the 300blk or 44 subs wont

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like pretty much anything goes with non-magnum calibres provided not pushing the limits of energy/distance. Think I would go .308 due to versatility and ammo availability. Just for the record, I'm happy with my little 300BLK bush outfit. It's pretty much perfect now that I have given up on the subsonic project. The only issue is ammo availability. Hopefully, that will resolve itself!