Suppressed Short Barrel Hunting Rifle Build Suggestions

[montana_native]

Now that we can hunt with a suppressor in Montana, I was considering have a Model 700 long action (Mag Bolt Face) rebarreled for use with an Elite Iron Bravo STFU (30 cal). The can is just under 8” long so I’d like to keep the barrel at around 22”. I’ll probably use a #5 contour barrel.


My gunsmith has a 7 SAUM reamer with a long freebore that he says works well in a long action. However, is this going to be a moot point since the barrel is relatively short?


What are some recommendations/thoughts for an elk-worthy chambering that will deliver good amounts of energy to 800 yards? Keep in mind, the wind loves to blow in my little corner of Montana.


Thanks!

 

[Wingnut00]

6.5-284 Norma. Change the bolt and run 140's probably close to 2900. That velocity is just a guess but should be close. Just a thought.

 

[montana_native]

6.5-284 Norma. Change the bolt and run 140's probably close to 2900. That velocity is just a guess but should be close. Just a thought.

That is something I hadn't considered. Thanks for the input. I also edited the title to say "short barrel".

Thanks again.

 

[rpierce]

I did a little 6.5 saum on a 24" barrel in a folding manners eh1a stock with my tbac ultra 7 suppressor. It was a wicked round on antelope. Was also nice and compact with the folding stock when I threw it in my eberlestock backpack. The 140 berger hybrids left baseball sized exit holes on the 4 antelope we shot between 610-750 yards. I ended up shooting a speed goat at 1200 with it also. I like it alot more than my 7rsaum i did a few years ago. First load I tried in the 6.5saum was 3/4" @300 yards. 140 going 3050 fps in a 24" barrel.

 

[M14AMU]

30/06

 

[Sniper338]

Take you pick... anything in 22 inch barrel will still shoot, ita loose a little velocity, but anything will work you wanna do.... 300 win mag, or 300 win mag AI,

 

[Drop Port]

"elk-worthy chambering that will deliver good amounts of energy to 800 yards?"

If your can was .33 a 22" 338 Norma would sure deliver and they run great in shorter barrels.

 

[snowpro440]

WSM or SAUM would do the trick in an 18" HV barrel for a suppressor in my world.

 

[rpierce]

Heres a 6.5saum i just did the final assembly on this morning. Stiller Tac30, Manners EH1 in midnight camo, 24" fluted sendero contour Brux Barrel, my round mini magnum "Muscle" brake, Curtis Custom Bottom metal, Accurate Mag 3 round mag, Hawkins Precision Rings and a NF 5.5-22 NXS. Weighs 10.5 lbs with optics.

 

[goneshootinginAZ]

Heres a 6.5saum i just did the final assembly on this morning. Stiller Tac30, Manners EH1 in midnight camo, 24" fluted sendero contour Brux Barrel, my round mini magnum "Muscle" brake, Curtis Custom Bottom metal, Accurate Mag 3 round mag, Hawkins Precision Rings and a NF 5.5-22 NXS. Weighs 10.5 lbs with optics.
View attachment 993801 View attachment 993802 View attachment 993803

I was thinking about the same kind of rifle. Will the 6.5saum be enough bullet on elk at distance? Are the Hornady brass quality issues I've read about with the 6.5saum resolved or how are you dealing with those? Not looking to start an arguement with either question, hoping the answer for those with experience is yes! Really like the idea, if it's workable, otherwise I'd probably look at a 7mm something. Thanks in advance!

 

[rpierce]

I would feel comfortable shooting out to 1000 on a elk with a 6.5saum. The 140 hybrid left a baseball sized exit hole at 1200 yards on the antelope i shot last month. So it still opens up quite a bit at that range. I consider myself quite a bit better than the average Joe at reading the wind so obviously my range is extended quite a bit more. I talked to a number of people including George Gardner about the new run of Hornady brass. I was told to expect 8 firings with 61.4 gr of h1000 and 140 hybrids. I ordered up a 1000 pieces of the new stuff from GAP so I would have them for myself and a few of the builds Im doing in the 6.5GAP. I haven't had time to test it yet though. For a short action caliber its hard to beat in my opinion for long range hunting. 140 bergers at 3050-3100 fps out of a 24" barrel is some serious long range medicine. Now for long action builds my preferred caliber is the 28 nosler as Ive built around 60 of them this year alone. Typical accuracy is sub 1/4 moa. Customers and I have shot quite a few animals past 700 with it and the results have been devestating on game with the longest being an elk at 1150 yards. It didn't go more than a step or two.

 

[cmillard]

If you have a mag bolt already, I would go with a .300 wsm. I would go with a 10" twist.

 

[goneshootinginAZ]

I would feel comfortable shooting out to 1000 on a elk with a 6.5saum. The 140 hybrid left a baseball sized exit hole at 1200 yards on the antelope i shot last month. So it still opens up quite a bit at that range. I consider myself quite a bit better than the average Joe at reading the wind so obviously my range is extended quite a bit more. I talked to a number of people including George Gardner about the new run of Hornady brass. I was told to expect 8 firings with 61.4 gr of h1000 and 140 hybrids. I ordered up a 1000 pieces of the new stuff from GAP so I would have them for myself and a few of the builds Im doing in the 6.5GAP. I haven't had time to test it yet though. For a short action caliber its hard to beat in my opinion for long range hunting. 140 bergers at 3050-3100 fps out of a 24" barrel is some serious long range medicine. Now for long action builds my preferred caliber is the 28 nosler as Ive built around 60 of them this year alone. Typical accuracy is sub 1/4 moa. Customers and I have shot quite a few animals past 700 with it and the results have been devestating on game with the longest being an elk at 1150 yards. It didn't go more than a step or two.

Thanks very helpful! I really like the 6.5 saum to go with my Creedmoor.

 

[Drop Port]

Thanks very helpful! I really like the 6.5 saum to go with my Creedmoor.

I would feel comfortable shooting out to 1000 on a elk with a 6.5saum. The 140 hybrid left a baseball sized exit hole at 1200 yards on the antelope i shot last month. So it still opens up quite a bit at that range. I consider myself quite a bit better than the average Joe at reading the wind so obviously my range is extended quite a bit more. I talked to a number of people including George Gardner about the new run of Hornady brass. I was told to expect 8 firings with 61.4 gr of h1000 and 140 hybrids. I ordered up a 1000 pieces of the new stuff from GAP so I would have them for myself and a few of the builds Im doing in the 6.5GAP. I haven't had time to test it yet though. For a short action caliber its hard to beat in my opinion for long range hunting. 140 bergers at 3050-3100 fps out of a 24" barrel is some serious long range medicine. Now for long action builds my preferred caliber is the 28 nosler as Ive built around 60 of them this year alone. Typical accuracy is sub 1/4 moa. Customers and I have shot quite a few animals past 700 with it and the results have been devestating on game with the longest being an elk at 1150 yards. It didn't go more than a step or two.

Is that a typical result you are getting with the 140 Hybrid?

 

[rpierce]

In the saum it is with the 5 kills I've gotten with it so far. In the 6.5x47 pushing them 300 fps slower the exit holes were significantly smaller, golf ball size. However the deer flopped over dead at that speed as well.

 

[Drop Port]

In the saum it is with the 5 kills I've gotten with it so far. In the 6.5x47 pushing them 300 fps slower the exit holes were significantly smaller, golf ball size. However the deer flopped over dead at that speed as well.

Curious of the distance you used the 6.5x47 the data would confirm some of my findings.

 

[brianc74]

So. What do you all think the velocity will be with a 20" barrel and the 6.5GAP? As I am planning a new build for my new suppressor aswell.


Brian

 

[rpierce]

Drop port: I killed 11 deer out to 330 yards with it. All had the same sized exit hole. 9 out of 11 flopped over dead. The other 2 went about 30 yards tops.

Brian: I believe you'd still hit 3000 fps with it no problem.

 

[Drop Port]

Drop port: I killed 11 deer out to 330 yards with it. All had the same sized exit hole. 9 out of 11 flopped over dead. The other 2 went about 30 yards tops.

Brian: I believe you'd still hit 3000 fps with it no problem.

I had identical results, i think you will find similar results out to around 600 then it gets weird. I started to notice mixed exit size with a few large exits at 700 and beyond and the few i recovered showed signs of less expansion and more nosing over. I run them 2900, I would be curious to see what the SAUM does at 300 yards (exit size) I find it to be a tough bullet and suspect it would hold up well on larger game.

 

[montana_native]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I am sort of leaning toward another 300 Win with the 215 Berger. I've also thought about the 300 WSM since I've heard they work better out of short barrels. I'm reluctant to go with less than a 7mm bullet so that there is a little more forgiveness if the shot isn't perfect. I've seen elk take multiple rounds to the boiler room and still run a long ways before dying.