Can't go wrong. Look forward to your projectAfter this great info i think im going to do a 18" barrel. This is a woods gun for hunting whitetail out to 300 yards but i want it to be for walking and pushing deer.
You will be very happy with itAfter this great info i think im going to do a 18" barrel. This is a woods gun for hunting whitetail out to 300 yards but i want it to be for walking and pushing deer.
My 7mm08 has a 22" bbl (9.5" twist) and I shoot everything from140 VLD to 175 Hornady SP.
For anything over 400 yards I use the 140 VLD with 42.5 gr Varget.
IRRC it's in the vicinity of 2,775 fps.
If I know I'm not gonna get a shot over 300 years, I go with the 139 gr Horn. BTSP or SST (same 42.5 gr Varget)
IF in stuck in annoying brush,... I use the 175 Horn. SP with 39 gr Varget... Velocity if fairly lethargic, at around 2,500 fps, but withing 100 yards it's beyond enough to drop deer in their tracks (HARD).
From a 22" barred down to a 20" barrel your only gonna loose 50 fps ( 25 fps per inch ). This makes ZERO difference on game or wind or bullet drop.