Thread: Short barrel calibres?

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!

Originally Posted by gundoc

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!

Hi @gundoc
What is correct use of faster powders ?
Wouldnt the same loads still be better than traditional ones in standard length barrels ?
Can you avoid the ball of flame with a different powder or is it just the amount of powder ?

Indeed are short barrel optimised loads dangerous in standard length barrels ?

Originally Posted by Bagheera

Indeed are short barrel optimised loads dangerous in standard length barrels ?

Not related to barrel length, but if you are firing the load in a longer barrel you are obviously using a different rifle, so yes, the load could potentially be dangerous