I am looking to get a tikka and cut the barrel to around 17 inches and add a suppressor. I am in between 6.5prc and .270win and plan on shooting 130-140gr bullets in either. Max hunting distance probably won’t be over 400 yards. I currently shoot .270 so I have components already but I cannot find much data on short .270s. Does anyone have velocities to share out of either cartridge in a short barrel?
Short barrel 6.5prc vs .270win
- Thread starter akj
- Start date
Data developed by manufactures normaly has a 22–24-inch barrel, you can use that data in a shorter barrel however you will not get the same velocities as listed in the manual. What your barrel will do is not going to be the same as another barrel based on condition, length ect.
nun_hunter
Well-Known Member
If you want velocity then you want a larger bearing area to be able to accelerate a bullet to a similar velocity in a short barrel. Think a 338 Federal can achieve same or higher velocities than a 308 both firing a 180 grain bullet.
Both cartridges seem a bit pointless in a short barrel. Not saying they won't work but especially the PRC it's designed to fire a high heavy for caliber bullet faster than existing cartridges. You'll just get a load of noise and unburnt powder and not much more velocity than other options and no benefit of the high BC bullet within 400m
Both cartridges seem a bit pointless in a short barrel. Not saying they won't work but especially the PRC it's designed to fire a high heavy for caliber bullet faster than existing cartridges. You'll just get a load of noise and unburnt powder and not much more velocity than other options and no benefit of the high BC bullet within 400m
Neither cartridge is optimal at that barrel length - just not what they are designed for. If barrel length is your deciding factor, pick a calibre better suited - like a 308
Have a look at this:
www.gunmart.net
Some of the performance wasn’t terrible from a short barrel. When I had a 20” .270 I could get decent velocity using RL17.
270 Calibre Barrel Reductions
Bruce Potts considers cutting down a rifle in that most misunderstood cartridge, the 270 Winchester
www.gunmart.net
Some of the performance wasn’t terrible from a short barrel. When I had a 20” .270 I could get decent velocity using RL17.
woodlandvenison1
Well-Known Member
Why waste you time just have a smaller capacity case having a high volume case and a short barrel is pointless
As said above broadly but if you want a shortie it can come either from the barrel or the action, my vote is the action.
My wifes Bergara BA13 in 243 is a delight to use with a 20" barrel and I would probably go again with a .308 for personal use, there is something ever so joyful about a gun that doesn't dink on everything you pass.
I had her gun for giggles at 600 yards at Bisley two weeks ago and it was doing 1/2 MOA in a decent wind, they are ridiculously good value for the outcome.
Neither of your cases are right, too much powder, too little barrel, smaller cases win.
My wifes Bergara BA13 in 243 is a delight to use with a 20" barrel and I would probably go again with a .308 for personal use, there is something ever so joyful about a gun that doesn't dink on everything you pass.
I had her gun for giggles at 600 yards at Bisley two weeks ago and it was doing 1/2 MOA in a decent wind, they are ridiculously good value for the outcome.
Neither of your cases are right, too much powder, too little barrel, smaller cases win.
The more the powder , the slower the powder the barrel needs to be longer . Shooting higher capacity cartridges through a short barrel and you just chuck unburned powder into the moderator and the air .
The reason behind the short barrel is to use the suppressor without making the rifle overly long. A lot of my hunting involves packing through thick impenetrable brush that likes to snag your gun barrel while strapped to your pack.
Thanks! I have actually come across this article and it is one of the few real data points I have seen. Lots of people say .270 is useless in a short barrel but few have the real data to back it up. I realize there will be velocity loss. The velocities published in this article seem good to me. I was just hoping to get more real data from others, knowing one rifles velocities are not necessarily equal for other individual rifles.Have a look at this:
270 Calibre Barrel Reductions
Bruce Potts considers cutting down a rifle in that most misunderstood cartridge, the 270 Winchester
Some of the performance wasn’t terrible from a short barrel. When I had a 20” .270 I could get decent velocity using RL17.
For those suggesting 308, what load do you suggest will perform better at 400 yards than what the .270 will do? From what I have seen, 308 generally fires a heavy bullet at slow speed. I imagine a short barrel will only limit this more. I am completely open to suggestions though! I am not entirely stuck on 6.5prc or 270.
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