.308, .300WSM, or 6.5PRC in a shorter (~22”) barrel

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Little_Fish

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Minuteman
Mar 1, 2022
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Hudson Valley, NY
#1
I’m in the planning stages of building a Frankenstein build to reuse a Bergara Premier action from my previous PRS production gun. My goal is a lightweight hunting rifle that will be used almost exclusively on the east coast for whitetail and black bear. Lightweight is the primary objective. I’ve decided on a barrel nut prefit from Preferred Barrel Blanks in carbon fiber, but I am still torn on cartridge choice. The three I am considering are .308WIN, .300WSM, and 6.5PRC. I’d like to keep barrel length around 20-22” not for weight but for handling characteristics in dense timber.

Would a .300WSM or 6.5PRC be effectively neutered in a barrel that short? If those two would perform the same as .308WIN in an equally short barrel would it just make sense to go with the .308?
 
#2
Shorties are always a trade off, and velocity loss is just reality. To answer the question, 300wsm will have a 2-300 fps advantage over 308 at basically every barrel length. I have a 20” 300wsm that sends 208’s pretty comfortably at 2700fps. That said, I live out west, and it’s common to have shot opportunities at or beyond 500 yards, so the extra velocity can actually be put to use. If I lived back east I’d probably take a 308 or 7mm08, pick a bullet that will work at all velocities from point blank to your personal max range, and call it a day.
 
#4
I get 2760 with 212 eld-x out of a 22" 300wsm. Carries minimum expansion velocity for a long way at western hunt elevations. Probably farther than you can see most of the time back east. I'd probably go 6.5prc or 308 for whitetails and black bears though.
 
#5
I just finished a similar build and went with a 20" 308 Win. Specifically throated for the Berger 200 grainers. I am using MDT mags with no Binder Plate and these are loaded rather spicy. I am at top end 30-06 velocities using Starline small rifle brass (CCI SRP mags) that I annealed. They are extremely accurate with no pressure signs and no issues with the brass. It has given me a substantial step up in velocity over factory 308 Win.

They are 2.95" COAL
 
#7
Completely do not understand the appeal of magnum cartridges for the animals being discussed here. I say that having killed several Kansas whitetails with a 300WM.
 
#8
I learn something new everyday. I've been out of the loop quite a while, and I'm glad to be back learning here. I would have thought .308 Win, would be a good choice. I was thinking the 300 WSM and 6.5PRC wouldn't burn all the power efficiently in such a short barrel.
 
#9
demarpaint said:
I learn something new everyday. I've been out of the loop quite a while, and I'm glad to be back learning here. I would have thought .308 Win, would be a good choice. I was thinking the 300 WSM and 6.5PRC wouldn't burn all the power efficiently in such a short barrel.
Click to expand...
They don’t burn all the powder, and neither will 308 in a short barrel, but that’s not the point. The point is you really don’t need a magnum for what you’re wanting to do, unless you just really want to for whatever reason. I’m considering taking my 18” 7mm08 for elk this year. At the elevation I’m hunting with the bullets I’m using, it’ll be totally fine out to at least 600 yards. Having a shorter lighter package is just worth it sometimes.
 
#10
16" 308 should be able to get 2500 out of the 200gr class - I have a 24" that gets 2640 with the 208 eldm, and FGMM brass is good for ~4 firings before resizing. 338 Federal another good candidate for a short barrel.
 
#11
SonoranPrecision said:
They don’t burn all the powder, and neither will 308 in a short barrel, but that’s not the point. The point is you really don’t need a magnum for what you’re wanting to do, unless you just really want to for whatever reason. I’m considering taking my 18” 7mm08 for elk this year. At the elevation I’m hunting with the bullets I’m using, it’ll be totally fine out to at least 600 yards. Having a shorter lighter package is just worth it sometimes.
Click to expand...
Thanks, that's what I figured. The shorter barrels have their place, that's for sure.
 
#12
Thanks all for the replies. Seems like I wouldn’t have too much to lose by going to the one of the larger cartridges minus the obvious (recoil, ammo price, ammo availability) but also that anything bigger than .308 is really more than I need. I think I’ll be better suited to build a .308 with this build then when the time comes to go after moose or western game build a proper 30 caliber gun on a long action.
 
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#13
Little_Fish said:
Thanks all for the replies. Seems like I wouldn’t have too much to lose by going to the one of the larger cartridges minus the obvious (recoil, ammo price, ammo availability) but also that anything bigger than .308 is really more than I need. I think I’ll be better suited to build a .308 with this build then when the time comes to go after moose or western game build a proper 30 caliber gun on a long action.
Click to expand...
That's what I was thinking. Good luck with the project.
 
#15
CaptArab said:
People have the most hysterically unrealistic idea of what it takes to kill deer. 16" 6/6.5 creed with a can would be perfect.
Click to expand...

Texas deer are pink like veal and can be killed with a decent pellet rifle or 22lr if you want to go overbore. NH deer are high on meth with butterfly knives hidden in their fur. They will go to the death over a smirk, and taste like shit-marinated-wallet-leather if you are able to take one down.
 
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