Possible new bolt gun build. Thoughts needed.

[ReservoirDawg10]

I want another bolt gun, but I want it to be different. I want a short barreled, match grade bolt gun. 12 - 14 inch barrel would be ideal. I could plug an MTU or similar profile barrel in there and still be relatively lightweight and mobile as hell as well as being very stiff.

Of course, the barrel length would neuter most rifle cartridges out there. Are there any with medium range capability, out to 800 maybe 1000 yds, that would do well with such a short barrel? I know 6.8 is supposed to be fine out of a short barrel, but anything with a better BC? Being a bolt gun, I could go with and Ackleyed cartridge to get some more powder/velocity and feed fine.

What says the brain trust?

 

[War Paint]

Had a man shoot a 1.950 group at 600 yds last weekend. With a 6mm Ackley Improved.

 

[ReservoirDawg10]

Had a man shoot a 1.950 group at 600 yds last weekend. With a 6mm Ackley Improved.

What length barrel? That's the round I kinda had in my head.

 

[War Paint]

I really don't know I would guess 26"-28". He put my 6.5x47 L To shame. But there is always next month

 

[Laufen]

This is a bit out of my wheelhouse, but wouldn't a larger bullet diameter and/or a shorter case allow for more powder to be burned in a shorter barrel (basically since you can burn more powder in a shorter time in a wider diameter cylinder)?

Maybe a 6mm PPC would be a good compromise and give you better short barrel velocity and a good bc? Just spitballing.

Heck, even 7mm-08 would probably perform well.

 

[ReservoirDawg10]

This is a bit out of my wheelhouse, but wouldn't a larger bullet diameter and/or a shorter case allow for more powder to be burned in a shorter barrel (basically since you can burn more powder in a shorter time in a wider diameter cylinder)?

Maybe a 6mm PPC would be a good compromise and give you better short barrel velocity and a good bc? Just spitballing.

Heck, even 7mm-08 would probably perform well.

Thats kinda my issue. I'm good at knowing differences when barrels are long, but when you go short, not sure how they perform.

 

[Rwjeter]

What about one of the Benchrest calibers designed around a pistol length barrel? I have no personal experience with it, but I have a friend with a 7mm BR who loves it.

 

[AtlMedic]

Could you go with a bull pup? Still have the shorter overall length but longer barrel performance.

 

[Rwjeter]

Could you go with a bull pup? Still have the shorter overall length but longer barrel performance.

He already has a Desert Tech.

 

[ReservoirDawg10]

What about one of the Benchrest calibers designed around a pistol length barrel? I have no personal experience with it, but I have a friend with a 7mm BR who loves it.

Didn't realize that was a thing. I'll check into those calibers.

 

[Rwjeter]

Didn't realize that was a thing. I'll check into those calibers.

They really kinda started with Remington. They were made for their XP100s. Pretty nifty little cartridge. Dunno what it would do at 600+. Here are a couple photos I pulled. The XP 100, a 6mm Br and 30 BR.

 

[cmshoot]

I was thinking one of the BR rounds as well. 30BR would be my choice, but there’s also 6BR.

“The 30BR now dominates 100, 200, and 300-yard Benchrest Score Competition. The larger .308 bullet diameter provides a clear advantage over the 22PPC and 6PPC in "best-edge" bullseye scoring. The 30BR has superb inherent accuracy. With H4198 or N130, one can easily find accurate, consistent 30BR loads with very little development time.

The 30BR is forgiving and easy to tune. Top shooters can "set and forget" the 30BR since it holds its "tune" in a wide variety of conditions. Barrel life is 6000+ rounds. The 30BR is even more efficient than the 6BR. It can drive 120gr bullets faster than other cartridges, such as the 6.5-08, which burn 30% more powder.”

 

[Rwjeter]

I was thinking one of the BR rounds as well. 30BR would be my choice, but there’s also 6BR.

“The 30BR now dominates 100, 200, and 300-yard Benchrest Score Competition. The larger .308 bullet diameter provides a clear advantage over the 22PPC and 6PPC in "best-edge" bullseye scoring. The 30BR has superb inherent accuracy. With H4198 or N130, one can easily find accurate, consistent 30BR loads with very little development time.

The 30BR is forgiving and easy to tune. Top shooters can "set and forget" the 30BR since it holds its "tune" in a wide variety of conditions. Barrel life is 6000+ rounds. The 30BR is even more efficient than the 6BR. It can drive 120gr bullets faster than other cartridges, such as the 6.5-08, which burn 30% more powder.”

Damn, those numbers are better than I was expecting. I was honestly figuring the 7mm would be the better of the BR lineup. Interesting to hear it’s the 30.

 

[War Paint]

@ReservoirDawg10 Ever think of 224 Valkyrie ? I might get a upper just for shits and giggles.

 

[ReservoirDawg10]

@ReservoirDawg10 Ever think of 224 Valkyrie ? I might get a upper just for shits and giggles.

I'm going to convert an AR over to one as soon as the JP barrels and matched bolts become available. Not against it in a bolt gun, but thinking there may well be a better round. Looks like the 224 is good at 20 inch plus barrels.

 

[War Paint]

We shoot ar's at 400yd and I think this might do good against the other gas guns.