Light weight hunter build

**ninner** · 12-25-2019, 09:15 PM

Now that my chassis builds are complete I’m looking to change up my light weight hunter. I looked through my current barrel collection and I’ve got two ways I could go 7mm mag or 270. The barrel will be cut down to 16 or 17 inches and threaded for a brake. Does anyone have first hand experience with either caliber in a shortish barrel. The main reason I’m cutting down the barrels is for ease of use in a box blind. Longest possible shot is 300 yds but usually inside 150. Just looking for something a little flatter shooting than the 3006. Ive got other heavy barreled rifles for when i really need to reach out there.
Thoughts? Opinions?

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**hamiltonkiler** · 12-25-2019, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by ninner

Now that my chassis builds are complete I’m looking to change up my light weight hunter. I looked through my current barrel collection and I’ve got two ways I could go 7mm mag or 270. The barrel will be cut down to 16 or 17 inches and threaded for a brake. Does anyone have first hand experience with either caliber in a shortish barrel. The main reason I’m cutting down the barrels is for ease of use in a box blind. Longest possible shot is 300 yds but usually inside 150. Just looking for something a little flatter shooting than the 3006. Ive got other heavy barreled rifles for when i really need to reach out there.
Thoughts? Opinions?

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Merry Christmas. Barrel length and bullet/cartridge make what the capabilities are.
No experience in a short barrel. But .30cals work.
Even though I like the .223 cartridge

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**Stumpkiller** · 12-26-2019, 01:31 AM

I'd have to ask "why" on the 7mm Mag? You couldn't burn all the slow powder it would need to get optimum velocity. With a barrel that short you might as well go with a .280 REM or a .270 WIN. And if you already have the .270 go with that.

**ninner** · 12-26-2019, 05:36 AM

Originally Posted by Stumpkiller

I'd have to ask "why" on the 7mm Mag? You couldn't burn all the slow powder it would need to get optimum velocity. With a barrel that short you might as well go with a .280 REM or a .270 WIN. And if you already have the .270 go with that.

Why 7mm mag? I have the barrel, ammo and reloading components but same for the 270. That’s why I’m asking. After some google research I may up the barrels to 18” I’ve seen published results for both calibers at that length.

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**wbm** · 12-26-2019, 08:57 AM

Shortest 7mm Magnum barrel I have had was 22" sporter. Would not wish that on anyone! 7mm and 270 just lose too much "reason for being" when you get below 24" barrel lengths. Personally I would go with a 7mm-08.

**ninner** · 12-26-2019, 10:39 AM

I guess I’ll start by just recrowning the 7mm mag sporster barrel and leaving it full length to see if I like it.

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**pappy83** · 12-29-2019, 11:28 AM

My son shoots a 7mm SAUM it has a 20 inch criterion barrel and is in a mcmillian HTG stock. Barrel is light varmint contour. 168 Berger's at 2850fps it works very well on deer out to 400yds longest we shoot. That load is not max and rifle is not obnoxious to shoot at all. It also will shoot sub .250 if my daughter is shooting it. Lol. That load is with 4831sc it will shoot faster with h1000 but accuracy is awesome with the 4831sc. When this barrel is shot out will have criterion send one that's finished at 18 inch.

**micky_blue** · 01-05-2020, 09:17 AM

I had a 35 whelen with a 17.5" barrel once. It was the single loudest thing I have ever fired and that includes several rifles with muzzle brakes. It was similar to shooting hot 357 loads in a ported snub nose revolver. Simply put, don't do this.

**charlie b** · 01-07-2020, 08:38 AM

Since you are using what you have on hand then the .270 is it, hands down. Even for the 22in barrel.

If you are just after ballistics then look at a couple of charts with the bullets you want to use and see how little difference there would be at your short ranges. I'd even compare them to your .30 cal and see if you really want to do the work or not.

**Robinhood** · 01-07-2020, 10:12 PM

35 whelen

358 winchester

**Stumpkiller** · 01-07-2020, 11:17 PM

He wanted flatter shooting than a .30-06.

16 to 17" barrel . . . why on that as well? I hunt fairly tight cover with a 44" barrel on a flintlock rifle and grouse with a 42" smoothbore barrel flintlock (when gun weighs 7 lbs) and I don't recall ever hitting a tree when swinging.

5" of sporter weigh barrel isn't all that much additional weight. 22" should still work in a box blind.

**ninner** · 01-08-2020, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by Robinhood

35 whelen

358 winchester

Might as well sbr a 300 Weatherby, I’ve got 200 rounds of reloads I got at an estate sale for $15 I need to find a use for.
$200 tax stamp for sbr
$200 tax stamp for suppressor
$2k for a can that can withstand a sbr’d 300wby. So 10 or 14 inches for the barrel? The can should quiet it enough where plugs and muffs should be good for at least 10 rounds while sighting it in. Almost forgot $150 for a zombie green Boyd’s stock. I better sell more sleds on eBay.

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