30 inch bull barrel on a small shank?

[jimbo88mm]

The barrel I ordered had a 14 day build time so I did reach out to them to see if I could change the order from 30 to 28 inches but it was too late, they shipped it out today :)

I'm glad it sounds like there wont be any issues with the barrel mated to the action. The real issue now is if I can get it to shoot.

Sometimes a guy has to sit on the wet paint to learn for himself ;)

[dragonfly]

To the OP yes the SA will handle a 30 bull. I have a model 10 31 1/4" .900 at muzzle. 1 and 9.5 twist 308 win. started at 32" cut it to try something different. Go with the 30" you can always cut it to 28" or whatever works. Once cut you can't add.

[Newsshooter]

Well one reason might be more speed, kind of like the guys shooting the 6.5 SAUM with H1000.

[jimbo88mm]

Wanted to give a quick update.

No problems physically with the 30inch barrel. The whole setup is very solid.

In regards to powder burn rate issues with 140gr pills and brass life I am happy to report that I am not seeing any problems. Using Lapua brass that's already had 13 loads on it, I've gotten 2 more loads in and the brass is still good.

I found a node very quickly using IMR 4451 with Hornady 140gr bthps. Loads of 41.3 to 41.8 yield similar velocities and shot placement. I've settled on 41.5 with an average muzzle velocity of 2810 fps and a standard deviation of 6 fps. While not screaming fast I'm 100fps faster than the book max for 140s. Though the groups opened up with 42grs, I can probably go a little bit higher to find the next node but see no need since this load groups well:

http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Jimbo88mm/260-mcgowen-140s_zpsggmi8pjf.jpg


Next up, to work up a load using the berger hybrid 130s. The goal will be 3000 fps, but I'd be happy with mid 2900s if that's where the best groups live.

[Dennis]

If I am not mistaken, the outside diameter of a large shank action is the same size as the small shank action. This means that the large shank action has the potential to be weaker than the small shank. Only the chamber area of the large shank barrel is thicker and stronger than the small shank. There are guys here shooting 30" Varmit, and I think Bull's, and longer, that can tell us how it works.

If I am mistaken in this, I hope to be corrected :-) ... Thanks Jim

True Jim,

They drill the action out to accommodate the Large Shank Barrel. I don't see the advantage. Unless their saying the Large Shank Barrel is stronger vs. the Small Shank's. The action looses strength with Large Shank options.

JMO, Dennis

[FW Conch]

Thanks for the reply Dennis.

That's the way it looked to me. Jim :-)