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Efficient big game cartridges that do well in short barrels

kmcdonou

I am curious what cartridges you would recommend for game up to the size of elk/moose, using 180-200gr bullets, and that work well suppressed (7" TBAC Ultra) in a 20-22" barrel. I have heard more efficient cartridges work best in that length, particularly 300 RCM. However, that cartridge hasn't really caught on and I would like something with more commonly available and good quality brass.

Shooting distance is no more than 350 yards. I plan to use it for target practice too, so a cartridge with good barrel life is nice, but not required, as long as I can get at least 1,500 rounds before a rebarrel. I would prefer to use a 20" barrel, but am willing to stretch it to 22" if really needed.
 
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I would like something that is somewhat flat shooting and can be suppressed. This last criteria eliminates the 35s. Maybe someone makes a suppressor for a 35 caliber, but I the ones I have seen generally go up to 33 caliber. I have two suppressors, one in 6.5 caliber and the other a 30 caliber. The former is going on a new 260 Remington.

I could go 308, but that is too close to the 260 Remington and doesn't really shoot the 200gr very well from my understanding. I really want something that can do 180-200gr bullets well. I have 300 win mag, but for sentimental reasons I am not cutting the barrel on that one.

I have heard the larger magnums need a longer barrel length to fully burn the powder, yet the writer John Barness says that's baloney. He claims "in most modern centerfire rifle cases, just about all the powder burns up within at most 4 inches in front of the chamber. You lose velocity in a shorter barrel not because the powder doesn't burn, but because the gas formed by the powder burn is still expanding. This expansion keeps pushing the bullet to faster velocities as long as the expansion lasts. In most centerfire rounds, this would be in a far longer barrel than any of us use on a sporting rifle."

I don't know what the truth is. I just want something that works well suppressed in a shorter barrel. Maybe barrel length doesn't make a difference and I can just pick any cartridge.
 
Pick the round you want and run with it. Anything will shoot in a 20 inch barrel and be good to 400 yards easy. 400 yards is not far, and you say 350...

300 win mag was my first thought
 
kmcdonou said:
...I have 300 win mag, but for sentimental reasons I am not cutting the barrel on that one.
Click to expand...

You mentioned an appreciation for your 300 Win. Mag. Perhaps the 300 WSM may interest you? It has very similar performance to your longer 300 Win. Mag., but in a shorter cartridge and a short action.
 
kmcdonou said:
I would like something that is somewhat flat shooting and can be suppressed. This last criteria eliminates the 35s. Maybe someone makes a suppressor for a 35 caliber, but I the ones I have seen generally go up to 33 caliber. I have two suppressors, one in 6.5 caliber and the other a 30 caliber. The former is going on a new 260 Remington.

I could go 308, but that is too close to the 260 Remington and doesn't really shoot the 200gr very well from my understanding. I really want something that can do 180-200gr bullets well. I have 300 win mag, but for sentimental reasons I am not cutting the barrel on that one.

I have heard the larger magnums need a longer barrel length to fully burn the powder, yet the writer John Barness says that's baloney. He claims "in most modern centerfire rifle cases, just about all the powder burns up within at most 4 inches in front of the chamber. You lose velocity in a shorter barrel not because the powder doesn't burn, but because the gas formed by the powder burn is still expanding. This expansion keeps pushing the bullet to faster velocities as long as the expansion lasts. In most centerfire rounds, this would be in a far longer barrel than any of us use on a sporting rifle."

I don't know what the truth is. I just want something that works well suppressed in a shorter barrel. Maybe barrel length doesn't make a difference and I can just pick any cartridge.
Click to expand...
When did the .308 win get to where it doesn't shoot the 200 gr. bullets well? These guys have made some great suggestions..
 
long40shot said:
He said, 180-200.
Click to expand...
You might want to reread what he said. I read it as he said 200 gr didn't shoot good. Might be mistaken, will not be the first time nor probably the last.


I could go 308, but that is too close to the 260 Remington and doesn't really shoot the 200gr very well from my understanding. I really want something that can do 180-200gr bullets well. I have 300 win mag, but for sentimental reasons I am not cutting the barrel on that one.
 
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