Shorting Barrels

I have shortened several barrels for quicker handling. In this case, re-barreled with a .243 axis heavy barrel on a 10 action, they are 22" and a bit lighter than the 12FV. But...it needs to be shortened for my carry/hunting. Member WBM has one I sold him, wish it was still screwed on to this action, it shot like a house-a-fire.

I know the specs show loss in velocity, don't give a hoot as shooting is usually 100-400 yrds and 70gr-100gr, with the 400yrds for fun only. I'm thinking of chopping this one down between 20" and 18." Nosler 70gr is a winner in 6mm a bit light to stop a deer in it's tracks last time.

How much blast is increased with a shorter barrel? If it shoots like that short FV, I'll be happy. I'm leaning to 3" off with a better crown.

My dad has an old Remington 600 that they used to make as a carbine type deal with 18” barrels. I haven’t noticed it being any louder than a normal 22” barrel. I know it has to be and if I paid attention I might would notice, but it’s not like he’s “that guy” at the range where you’re like holy sh!t my ears


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being an overbore cartridge it's going to be louder than a less overbore cartridge. you can kind of side step this with faster than usual powders and heavier bullets. ES/SD could become an issue as you'll end up with less than a full case of powder. also from my playing with short barrels the faster powders yield more velocity which is contrary to what most may say. in my case I got higher velocity with 8208xbr vs varget with a 18" .308

I would start with something like H4895 and a 90+gr bullet.

Usually use 4350 and 4064 with 100 grain with good results. I didn't like 6mm 55gr bullets at all. Have a .223 and .221fb for those anyway, and the .221fb is 14" barrel on a striker, a mild mannered caliber with .223 traits.

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Member WBM has one I sold him, wish it was still screwed on to this action, it shot like a house-a-fire.

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Yes it did.

Some powders give more blast than others.

In the 243win with 70 grainers in a short barrel trying to keep the muzzle blast down as much as possible I would work with powders like W-748, imr3031, H-4895, BLc2, imr4320, imr-4895, RL-15 etc.. In that area of burn rate.
Anything slower burning will more likely blast a fireball out the muzzle.

One of our QuickLoad users could run an excursion from, say, a 30” barrel down to about 16” abd then compare the blast pressure versus barrel length.

The blast pressure at the shooters ear will be roughly proportional to the muzzle pressure, but souped up a bit because the muzzle is that much closer.

One way to mitigate the blast with a shorter barrel is to thread for a muzzle brake and install a linear compensator. They don’t reduce the recoil as much as a standard brake bur the blast will be directed more forward.

I shoot a Striker 14" barrel in .223 and .243. Neither spits fire and the .243 is 3/4" at 100 yards it does not bark anywhere as bad as a brake 20" from the bolt.

Closer to my face and can split an eyebrow if not held in check, however.

I routinely cut and recrown hunting barrels to 20" (from 22 or 24) for better handling. Personally, I don't notice any significant difference in recoil, noise or muzzle blast (whatever that is).