30-06 barrel length
- Thread starter bobcat93
- Start date
FNSafari
Gold $$ Contributor
Depends on the powder. Look for safe loads that use the fastest burn rate powder and go from there.
IMO, hunting rounds should have full length barrels. I'm weird like that.
I even prefer 18" to 20" barrels on AR's.
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
Seems there are a lot of manufacturers coming out with much shorter barrels which make for better handling with cans on them. Seems like I've seen a lot of 20" barrels, though not sure about 30-06. If you don't mind the velocity loss and a bit more muzzle rise and recoil, (without a can) why not?
It's just a matter of perspective. You're not throwing 30" barrels or your hunting rifles to gain FPS. You'd rather cut them off at the knees with a 24" barrel because the extra FPS isn't worth the added weight and hassle. Same reason I use 18" barrels hunting in the swamp, the extra length and weight isn't worth the gain in FPS. We're just drawing the line of what we're willing to trade off in different places.
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In my opinion a custom 30-06 for me would have a 26" tube and a custom load and I wouldn't have a 30 magnum.
Gary in MD
Gold $$ Contributor
I’ve been saying the same thing for years. It’s like ordering a sports car with the V8 performance motor option and then unplugging two spark plug wires!
24” barrel in my custom ‘ought six
What powder do you have in mind for that longer barrel setup? Sounds interesting.
Depending on the bullet weight and use. I'll do some research and post back. A lighter weight like 168 used for longer distances would require a different powder than a 190+ grain for elk and bear. In the past I've done well with the lighter weights with a burn rate around Winchester 760.
The other issue is deciding how to cut the throat.
And then there are those of us who want the 30 magnum with the 26" tube. As Nigel said, "Ours go to eleven." ;-)
Thank you for sharing.
The 2550 with RL17 is about right for 16 inch barrel. My 28 inch skinny KBI with 4-port Salmon River Solutions Ti-Pro launches 215 Hybrids around 2840. Rifle weighs less than 11 pounds with Trijicon Tenmile. I can interchange RL17 and N560 for the combined precision and velocity.
For reference, one of my buddies 20 inch 300WM runs 215s at 2850. Another guy runs the same bullet from his 18 inch 30N at 2750. The latter double duty as flame thrower.
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That's gotta have some recoil.
Your choice on barrel length only lowers velocity and causes a change of optimal powders. If your interest is to lighten the gun and the range of your target is acceptable for the reduced energy of the round, then everything is fine. As a 30-06 is a powerful round even moving as slow as 1500 fps, I don’t see anything wrong. It’s never my intention to use really short barrels because I shoot targets at long ranges but the recipe for either is to dial in the drop and hit the target. At a range of 200 yards, I don’t see any reason a 16 inch barrel wouldn’t be perfectly acceptable for bullet energy. It’s more about point of impact. My 223’s are sub moa at 700 yards and I wouldn’t hesitate to take a shot at that distance on a deer for a head shot. It would still be instant death. It’s more about maintaining your accuracy than anything else with this example.
I dug into this and I'm suggesting powders between Winchester 760 and Reloader 22 in burn rate depending on bullett weight and barrel.
The throat cutting issues exists with a custom 06 as well as a 30 magnum.
To be accurate I'd need to start the process over again since the evolution of powders and bulletts has progressed.
My past work showed that the 30 magnums with equal barrel length (in general) had the ability for slightly increased velocities in lower weights ( as little as 75 to 125FPS) the heavy weights the magnums could be 150 to 200FPS faster.
Reloading for quality receivers and barrels can push the 06 to 60,000+ PSI where most 30 magnums can run 62,000+PSI.
30 magnum factory ammunition in general is loaded closer SAAMI maximum then most 06 factory ammunition which is why 06 handloads can close the gap.
In my opinion rate of fire during load development for the 06 should be kept in check as the higher pressures will erode the throat in a similar manner as a 30 magnum.
In the past I achieved 3100 FPS with 165 grain Hornady hunting bullets FB as well as BTSP. I had several rifles achieve 2850 and 1 achieve 2900FPS with the 190 grain Hornady. Recoil was similar to 30 magnum rifles of similar weight and stock design.
How close was this to magnum? Who cares, the loads and rifles shot well.
The nice aspect of an 06 is that I could download some 150 RN to about 2,400FPS for my sister-in-law, soft shooting and killed many deer.
In my youth I went a little magnum wild, I have a 358 Norma Magnum with a 30" tube. Way too much cartridge! But it still shoots sub moa and is fun to play with.
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