Does Size Matter?
I am looking into getting a Remington 700 in a .308 or 270.
Use of the rifle would be mule deer and elk (maybe one day hogs if they ever make it to Utah)[:D]. I doubt I could hit anything farther than 500 yards. (most shooting would be done within 200 yds)
There is a Remmy in a 20 barrel that I really like do to it's compact size.
Question do I loose any accuracy going with a 20 inch barrel over a 24 or 26 inch barrel.
I understand that there might be some velocity loss but my main concern is accuracy and take down power.
I am still trying to understand "barrel walk" and that a shorter bull barrel won't vibrate as much as a longer thinner barrel.
Teach me. Thanks 00 Buck.
Use of the rifle would be mule deer and elk (maybe one day hogs if they ever make it to Utah)[:D]. I doubt I could hit anything farther than 500 yards. (most shooting would be done within 200 yds)
There is a Remmy in a 20 barrel that I really like do to it's compact size.
Question do I loose any accuracy going with a 20 inch barrel over a 24 or 26 inch barrel.
I understand that there might be some velocity loss but my main concern is accuracy and take down power.
I am still trying to understand "barrel walk" and that a shorter bull barrel won't vibrate as much as a longer thinner barrel.
Teach me. Thanks 00 Buck.
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20 inches is long enough to stabalize either round.
a free floated medium contour tappered barrel is the way to go, IMHO. say 850 at the breech and 650-700 at the muzzle, something like that.0 -
Actually, for any given barrel contour, shorter (within limits) should be more accurate due to being stiffer. 0 -
My take on shorter barreled rifles is that I want to use the heavier for caliber bullet that shoots well. The idea is that the heavy bullet will retain more downrange energy, accuracy is as always particular to each individual barrel. So if you go with the .308 I would be looking at the 180g bullets or bigger. I also tend to the smaller case cartridges as unburned powder just comes out as noise and flash. My compact short barrel liteweight rifle is chambered in 6.5x55 swede and I push the 140g range of bullets. The remington model 7 comes in the 260rem and would be a really good choice, IMO.
Good luck with whichever you pick.....0 -
i like the .308 in 20 inch barrel. 0 -
00buck,
Lots of misunderstood terms and concepts...
"20 inches is long enough to stabalize either round."
Barrel length has NOTHING to do with stabilization or stability. Twist rate and bullet length are what control a bullet's stability.
"Question do I loose any accuracy going with a 20 inch barrel over a 24 or 26 inch barrel."
We cover this question frequently:
Barrel length has nothing to do with accuracy unless you're using open sights.
Barrel length affects velocity and the range of powders you can use for reloading.
Barrel length is a contributing factor for load efficiency or inefficiency as the case may be.
Shorter barrels provide less velocity under some circumstances and velocity loss will result in energy loss.
I wouldn't get all bent out of shape regarding 'barrel walk' or barrel diameters for this project. If you buy a Remington, you'll need to bed the action and relieve the barrel channel which is called free-floating. I'm using an 18" barrel in .308 Win. to shoot at 1,000 yards for competition as a test so you will be fine. By the way, the muzzle diameter is only 0.550" also.
Personally, you will be served quite well by choosing the .308 Win. in a 20" barrel and loading it with a good quality hunting bullet that you test for accuracy.
Remember that accuracy has many other components, not the least of which is the glass you choose for the rifle. This is not the place to skimp especially when a trophy or meat necessary to feed your family walks into view. Standard weight bullets, 150 gr. and up will work for deer but elk deserve a slightly heavier and better constructed bullet. I would opt for the 180 gr. Nosler BT (hunting) or the Nosler Partition. But that is not a limit believe me. There are dozens of great hunting bullets and some that are specialized which are usually not considered but perform admirably.
Best.0 -
Thanks all for the info - Hopefully I will be making the purchase soon. 0 -
ever shoot longer "heavy" bullets from a short barrel that has a twist rate to long for a the BC until it passes a certian velocity?
the bullet doesnt stabilize consistantly leading to bad accuracy..
Put the same load into a longer barrel with the same ROT and it does better..[;)]
Velocity plays a role also in certian cases.0 -
I like a little heavier caliber for elk personally, 30-06, is the min I would use. But it's more personal preference I guess. Those elk are tough critters. 0
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