Short barrel keeper loads??

[Mtnhunter1]

Reloading for shortened barrel length…..

Thumb through any reloading manual or while viewing online and the test barrels are usually listed at 24” or 26”. There are many shooters that have shortened their barrels and there are manufacturers now offering shorter barrel options.

Shortening a barrel usually will result in lower velocities compared to published loads. Is the velocity loss acceptable? Have shooters reduced their bullet weights to make up for the velocity loss? How is the accuracy out of the shorter barrel?

With the current trend in shortening rifle barrels, what are the loads that have turned out to be keepers?

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6.5 PRC Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT 20” barrel:

Lapua brass, Rem 9 ½ LRM primer, PP-4000MR, 127gr Barnes LRX.

C.O.A.L.: 2.865” or .060” off of the lands.

Hit pressure at 54.0grs and backed down to 52.75grs for accuracy.

Sub MOA, with average 100yd groups at .786”.

20” barrel velocity averaged 2,941.53 FPS using a Garmin.

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6.5 PRC Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT 20” barrel:

Lapua brass, Rem 9 ½ LRM primer, VV N565, 150gr Nosler ABLR.

C.O.A.L.: 2.885” or .045” off of the lands.

Hit pressure at 57.0grs and backed down to 55.75grs for accuracy.

Sub ½ MOA, with the average 100yd groups at .405”.

20” barrel velocity averaged 2,703.4 FPS using a Garmin.


Same rifle, 20” barrel, Factory Ammo: Hornady PH 143gr ELDX, 2,871.95 FPS and 1 ½” group size.



All velocities are with a thread protector, no brake or suppressor installed.



As always, every rifle is unique, so work up the load for your rifle accordingly.

 

[mtmuley]

I can't help. Everything I have is long. And so are my rifle barrels. mtmuley

 

[Mtnhunter1]

I can't help. Everything I have is long. And so are my rifle barrels. mtmuley

That needs to be on a T-shirt! LMAO!!

While I agree with long barrels, without brakes or suppressors, the 20" CA FFT is turning out to be a really great rifle. It's light weight, shoulders/points great and shoots awesome. This rifle has impressed me so much that I picked up it's twin in Ennis a weeks ago. The "twin" is a 6.8 Western and I am hoping it will be a keeper also.

 

[mtmuley]

That needs to be on a T-shirt! LMAO!!

While I agree with long barrels, without brakes or suppressors, the 20" CA FFT is turning out to be a really great rifle. It's light weight, shoulders/points great and shoots awesome. This rifle has impressed me so much that I picked up it's twin in Ennis a weeks ago. The "twin" is a 6.8 Western and I am hoping it will be a keeper also.

I'll share the profits with you. Push that Western hard with a Hammer. mtmuley

 

[N2TRKYS]

I’ve never had a barrel shortened, but have some that are 20” long and a couple that are 22”. I haven’t had any trouble getting them up to speed without dropping weight.

 

[Mtnhunter1]

I’ve never had a barrel shortened, but have some that are 20” long and a couple that are 22”. I haven’t had any trouble getting them up to speed without dropping weight.

Do you have any keeper loads that you could share here?

 

[brockel]

Do you have any keeper loads that you could share here?

Every rifle is different so my loads probably won’t work for yours. Any powder that worked for a long barrel will still work for a short barrel

 

[brockel]

I can't help. Everything I have is long. And so are my rifle barrels. mtmuley

Not me. God gifted me with a great personality for a reason

 

[Mtnhunter1]

Every rifle is different so my loads probably won’t work for yours. Any powder that worked for a long barrel will still work for a short barrel

I agree on the powder used but I am curious what barrel length vs real world velocity others have seen with their keeper loads.

I tried various bullet/powder combos through the CA FFT and found that some proven loads just did not preform well in the shorter barrel. The loads that did not preform well were proven to be keepers in various other standard length barreled rifles. With that, the two loads that I listed above have proven to be keepers in the 24" and 26" rifles but with a 100+ FPS increase in velocity.

I'm thinking that all powders react differently through a shorter barrel, velocity wise, Harmonic wise, etc. As stated, the manuals show an expected velocity range, for a given powder, with a standard barrel length. No published data can be located for the shorter barrel trend of today, at least that I know of anyway.

The listed 6.5 PRC VV N565 load that I listed above is a keeper for my rifle. I would be perfectly comfortable with this load for hunting. I'm guessing that load may work for others also but they maybe disappointed with the velocity. Shortening the 6.5 PRC basically reduces the advantages it has over a standard length 6.5 Creedmore.

Here is a pic of the VV N565 load. This is also how I keep track of my keeper rifle/reloading data along a written log.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Do you have any keeper loads that you could share here?

I’m getting 2850fps and 3000fps out of a 20” barreled 7-08 using 140 grain Accubond/Partitions and 120 grain Nosler ballistic tip(NBTs).

My 22” barreled 7 SAUM gets 2950fps with 160 grain Accubonds/Partitions.

My 22” barreled 270Win gets just shy of 3000fps with 150 grain Partitions.

My 20” barreled 308 gets in the 2700s with 165 grain Accubonds and 3000fps with 125 grain Accubonds and NBTs.

My 22” barreled 223 gets 2800fps with 77 grain TMKs.

They’re not exactly book velocities, but I’m very happy with all of them.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I agree on the powder used but I am curious what barrel length vs real world velocity others have seen with their keeper loads.

I tried various bullet/powder combos through the CA FFT and found that some proven loads just did not preform well in the shorter barrel. The loads that did not preform well were proven to be keepers in various other standard length barreled rifles. With that, the two loads that I listed above have proven to be keepers in the 24" and 26" rifles but with a 100+ FPS increase in velocity.

I'm thinking that all powders react differently through a shorter barrel, velocity wise, Harmonic wise, etc. As stated, the manuals show an expected velocity range, for a given powder, with a standard barrel length. No published data can be located for the shorter barrel trend of today, at least that I know of anyway.

The listed 6.5 PRC VV N565 load that I listed above is a keeper for my rifle. I would be perfectly comfortable with this load for hunting. I'm guessing that load may work for others also but they maybe disappointed with the velocity. Shortening the 6.5 PRC basically reduces the advantages it has over a standard length 6.5 Creedmore.

Here is a pic of the VV N565 load. This is also how I keep track of my keeper rifle/reloading data along a written log.

View attachment 360050

How’s the on game performance of the 150 grain ABLR. I’m debating between the 142s and 150s for my 6.5 PRC. I didn’t know if it was worth going to the 150s?

 

[Mtnhunter1]

I’m getting 2850fps and 3000fps out of a 20” barreled 7-08 using 140 grain Accubond/Partitions and 120 grain Nosler ballistic tip(NBTs).

My 22” barreled 7 SAUM gets 2950fps with 160 grain Accubonds/Partitions.

My 22” barreled 270Win gets just shy of 3000fps with 150 grain Partitions.

My 20” barreled 308 gets in the 2700s with 165 grain Accubonds and 3000fps with 125 grain Accubonds and NBTs.

My 22” barreled 223 gets 2800fps with 77 grain TMKs.

They’re not exactly book velocities, but I’m very happy with all of them.

Do you care to share the load data for these loads? I would like to try out several that you have listed!

 

[brockel]

18” 223 77tmk on top of h4895 2750fps

20” barrels 223. 3400fps with 53grain vmax on top of benchmark. 2800fps with 77 TMK on top of h4895

18” 22-250 53 grain vmax on top of h4895 for 3600fps. 62 grain eldvt on top of h4895 3450fps. 77 TMK on top of h4350 3075fps

18” 22 creedmoor 77 TMK on top of h4350 3150fps

20” 243 Winchester 108 eldm on top of h4350 2900fps.

20” 6.5 creedmoor Berger 140vld on top of h4350 for 2675fps

20” 7mm-08 140 grain accubond on top of varget for 2800fps

18” 6.5 prc 140 grain Berger vld on top of h1000 2825fps

20” 6.5 prc 156 grain Berger vld on top of h1000 2825fps.


This is just off the top of my head. Probably a few more I’m forgetting

 

[Mtnhunter1]

How’s the on game performance of the 150 grain ABLR. I’m debating between the 142s and 150s for my 6.5 PRC. I didn’t know if it was worth going to the 150s?

I have no personal experience with 150gr ABLR on game but I have buddies that are seeing good results up to and including elk. A buddies 82yo mother killed a bull moose last fall with the 142gr ABLR out of a 6.5 CM. Two in the boiler room and two perfectly mushroomed bullets under the off side hide.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Do you can to share the load data for these loads? I would like to try out several that you have listed!

They’re all max book loads using these powders: RL26, Big Game, and TAC.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I have no personal experience with 150gr ABLR on game but I have buddies that are seeing good results up to and including elk. A buddies 82yo mother killed a bull moose last fall with the 142gr ABLR out of a 6.5 CM. Two in the boiler room and two perfectly mushroomed bullets under the off side hide.

I used the 142 grain ABLR in my CM on a couple of whitetails this year inside of 100 yards. I think I’ll like the regular ABs better for that application. I may shoot the 130 ABs in my CM and the 140 ABs in my PRC.

 

[Mtnhunter1]

18” 223 77tmk on top of h4895 2750fps

20” barrels 223. 3400fps with 53grain vmax on top of benchmark. 2800fps with 77 TMK on top of h4895

18” 22-250 53 grain vmax on top of h4895 for 3600fps. 62 grain eldvt on top of h4895 3450fps. 77 TMK on top of h4350 3075fps

18” 22 creedmoor 77 TMK on top of h4350 3150fps

20” 243 Winchester 108 eldm on top of h4350 2900fps.

20” 6.5 creedmoor Berger 140vld on top of h4350 for 2675fps

20” 7mm-08 140 grain accubond on top of varget for 2800fps

18” 6.5 prc 140 grain Berger vld on top of h1000 2825fps

20” 6.5 prc 156 grain Berger vld on top of h1000 2825fps.


This is just off the top of my head. Probably a few more I’m forgetting

Nice! Every person is different in the way that they load. Do you feel that these are "warm" keeper loads?

 

[Mtnhunter1]

I used the 142 grain ABLR in my CM on a couple of whitetails this year inside of 100 yards. I think I’ll like the regular ABs better for that application. I may shoot the 130 ABs in my CM and the 140 ABs in my PRC.

What did you see with the 142gr ABLR that has you wanting to change to the standard AB? The moose was shot with a mild 6.5 CM load at 120yds, behind the shoulder with ribs being hit. Absolutely nothing wrong with the standard AB. I've taken many animals with it over the years.

 

[N2TRKYS]

What did you see with the 142gr ABLR that has you wanting to change to the standard AB? The moose was shot with a mild 6.5 CM load at 120yds, behind the shoulder with ribs being hit. Absolutely nothing wrong with the standard AB. I've taken many animals with it over the years.

I didn’t get an exit. Both were quartering to me shots, so I guess it was to be expected with a softer bullet. However, I kinda figured it would exit. I feel like the regular ABs would have exited. The ABLR were very accurate and I may keep using them, but for longer ranges like they were designed for.

 

[brockel]

I didn’t get an exit. Both were quartering to me shots, so I guess it was to be expected with a softer bullet. However, I kinda figured it would exit. I feel like the regular ABs would have exited. The ABLR were very accurate and I may keep using them, but for longer ranges like they were designed for.

I’ve had lots of accubonds not exit but they are always against the hide on opposite side