16-18 inch shorty rifles

I'm looking to build a light weight 18inch shorty for scouting and wondering around the outdoors. Probably wont come across any critters beyond 300 yards .....but the possibility may present itself. Would anyone recommend a 18inch .243 or stay simple with a .223 ? I will most likely start with a tikka or remmington action. I already have a Remy.243 varminter sps that shoots 3/8 factory lead at 100 yards. Are larger barrels the best option with short barrels in the recipe? I will soon have a GAP 6.5 but I just cant justify spending lots of coin on a rifle that's probably gonna get a few bruises . ........sorry i have no pics, but with your help I can start my photo shoot soon :)

I have a 18" 243 youth running 105gr hunting VLDs @ 2700. No heavy barrel shooting half MOA with a max load of IMR 4350.


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It's not bad at all. Nothing compared to my full size .308. There is a great deal of muzzle flash in low light though if that's a concern.


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its a kevlar/ carbon composite loosely based on a lazoroni but more erognomical with ability to shoot thumb up higher cheek piece and wider forend there built here in the uk by stafford synthetic stocks all hydro dipped in atacs, lovely
 
For the last 4 years we have had 'yotes running up and down a stream bed in the woods not far from where we live and could occasionally hear them howl. I never thought much of it until my sister in law's dog got badly mangled (she heard the fight and ran to the woods like a crazy woman and the 'yote took off. Little guy was well perforated and barely made it out with his life) and a few small pets started to go missing. Time to take action. Picked up an AAC-SD in 300BO and brought it to Accurate Ordnance for a Timney, NF rail, AICS 2.0, cut the barrel down and blind pinned and welded an AAC brakeout (making the required 16") for a 762-SDN-6. It's on the brown truck right now and I should have it on Monday. It is with great restraint that I had AO stop there with this project. I didn't want to spend too much on a gun that is to be used as a tool for a specific and very short range job (Mark actually talked that sense into me, much to his credit). But spending money in increments somehow makes it seem like we're not spending as much and I won't be surprised if it goes back to AO for a little more massaging before the year is out. We'll see how it shoots and I'll come back with a range/yote report.

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For the last 4 years we have had 'yotes running up and down a stream bed in the woods not far from where we live and could occasionally hear them howl. I never thought much of it until my sister in law's dog got badly mangled (she heard the fight and ran to the woods like a crazy woman and the 'yote took off. Little guy was well perforated and barely made it out with his life) and a few small pets started to go missing. Time to take action. Picked up an AAC-SD in 300BO and brought it to Accurate Ordnance for a Timney, NF rail, AICS 2.0, cut the barrel down and blind pinned and welded an AAC brakeout (making the required 16") for a 762-SDN-6. It's on the brown truck right now and I should have it on Monday. It is with great restraint that I had AO stop there with this project. I didn't want to spend too much on a gun that is to be used as a tool for a specific and very short range job (Mark actually talked that sense into me, much to his credit). But spending money in increments somehow makes it seem like we're not spending as much and I won't be surprised if it goes back to AO for a little more massaging before the year is out. We'll see how it shoots and I'll come back with a range/yote report.

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AICS300BO2_zpse8cbb665.jpg

Looks FANTASTIC !!!!! great job on that stick !!
 
For the last 4 years we have had 'yotes running up and down a stream bed in the woods not far from where we live and could occasionally hear them howl. I never thought much of it until my sister in law's dog got badly mangled (she heard the fight and ran to the woods like a crazy woman and the 'yote took off. Little guy was well perforated and barely made it out with his life) and a few small pets started to go missing. Time to take action. Picked up an AAC-SD in 300BO and brought it to Accurate Ordnance for a Timney, NF rail, AICS 2.0, cut the barrel down and blind pinned and welded an AAC brakeout (making the required 16") for a 762-SDN-6. It's on the brown truck right now and I should have it on Monday. It is with great restraint that I had AO stop there with this project. I didn't want to spend too much on a gun that is to be used as a tool for a specific and very short range job (Mark actually talked that sense into me, much to his credit). But spending money in increments somehow makes it seem like we're not spending as much and I won't be surprised if it goes back to AO for a little more massaging before the year is out. We'll see how it shoots and I'll come back with a range/yote report.

MosesTheTank, what model/size Nightforce is that on your rig? Can't tell if it's 2.5x10-42mm or 3.5-15x50mm.
 
Here's my budget build. Remington SPS 16.5, Timney Trigger 1.5#, BC M40 Stock, Bedded, Cerakote, Leupold 3.5X10 VX-III Mil-Dot. Factory barrel turned out to be very accurate and groups .5MOA at a 100 Yds with Lapua 170g D46 pushed by Varget. 4 inch steel plates at 300 are fun too. Hell on Deer in SC...
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Here's my contribution, built on a budget.

16" R700 .223
Threaded 5/8 x 24
Badger Bolt Knob
McMillan A5
Tuned old style trigger 2lbs
Weaver 20 MOA
Nikko Stirling 4-16 x 44
McCann Industries rail
and the usual harris

M5 system going on shortly

<a href="http://s823.photobucket.com/user/claykiller101/media/IMG_6499_zps364e06fe.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz153/claykiller101/IMG_6499_zps364e06fe.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_6499_zps364e06fe.jpg"/></a>
 
Ok finally my turn! My new toy came in and now I'm part of the group ;)

700 AAC-SD 223 16.5"
AICS 2.0 FDE
Bushnell HDMR H59
Seekins 20moa
ARC M10
Accuracy First Bubbel Level
Timney 510
Phoenix Precision Bolt Knob
Blackout/brake TBD

Can't decide between a brake or Blackout. I have both and am leaning towards the blackout because this gun is going to be used on squirrels as well as paper and I wanted to keep the noise down. Time will tell...

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Remington 700 SPS Tactical 16.5" 223 (Model 85549)
Factory XMark Pro Trigger 3lb (more consistent than my Timney 510 on another rifle)
H-S Precision M24 Tan Web PST086 (Tried my hand at bedding. Bedding works, but isn't pretty)
Seekins Low 6/4 30mm Rings
Seekins 1 Piece 20 MOA Base
SWFA SS HD 5-20x50
PCR Varminter Bolt Knob

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ashih313, great looking rifle. I'm looking at that exact stock (HS 086 green web) for my .308 16.5". How do you like it? Do you know the weight of the whole rig?
Do you have any more pics?
No further questions.

Please and Thank You.
 
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ashih313, great looking rifle. I'm looking at that exact stock (HS 086 green web) for my .308 16.5". How do you like it? Do you know the weight of the whole rig?
Do you have any more pics?
No further questions.

Please and Thank You.

Thanks. I like it a lot actually. It feels nice and light but sturdy. The channel cut for the action was a little big and allowed for some movement, so I bedded it which wasn't a big deal. I'm not sure about the exact weight since I currently have an inoperable scale that would be sufficient to weigh the rifle (kitchen scale is too small, bathroom is too big), but I do have excess weight on there with the large mag scope, but still manageable.

I can take whatever pics you would like.
 
oddball-six-albums-xlr-308-2014-update-picture30101-308-rifle-repaint.jpg


My 18" 308 after the re-paint this week.

Stiller long action 308
Anderson Knob from PTG
AAC 18" 1:10 Barrel with "Medium" Contour, Threaded 5/8x24, Nitrided
PTG .171 Thickness Single-Pin Recoil Lug
X-Mark Pro Adjustable Trigger (Set @ 3.5#)
XLR Evolution Chassis
Stiller 0 MOA ("Flat") Base with Dual Recoil Pins
US Optics Low Rings
Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 FFP Optic
Harris 1A2 Bipod
 
Is anyone running a shorty with 1:12 for .308. Just got a good deal on an sps-v but 26" is ridiculous for hogs n yotes. Thanks

Yep, same here. Shorty I posted a million pages ago in this thread is an 18" 1:12 that shoots 175 SMKs with no problems (taken it out to 1100-1200 or so).
I've never tried a 168 in it, but just picked some up for playing around at shorter distances.
 
Nice. Ive heard the 1:12 will handle any weights well. I said screw it and chopped it. Im doin a diy poor mans build. Ill post pics when I finish and learn how :) this site is a wealth of knowledge and im runnin with it.
 
simple set up:

Savage / Stevens 200 sporter barrel 17" +1.5" for brake .308 1:10
likes 110 vmax at 2900 & 165sst at just under 2600
harris bipod, cheap assed scope, rings, stock pack (lefty), sling
egw 20 moa base
rifle basix 1lb trigger
SSS knob
witt brake
bubba hacksaw and sandpaper factory stock job
moa out to 550Y



likes dogs and g hogs too:


 
oddball-six-albums-xlr-308-2014-update-picture30101-308-rifle-repaint.jpg


My 18" 308 after the re-paint this week.

Stiller long action 308
Anderson Knob from PTG
AAC 18" 1:10 Barrel with "Medium" Contour, Threaded 5/8x24, Nitrided
PTG .171 Thickness Single-Pin Recoil Lug
X-Mark Pro Adjustable Trigger (Set @ 3.5#)
XLR Evolution Chassis
Stiller 0 MOA ("Flat") Base with Dual Recoil Pins
US Optics Low Rings
Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 FFP Optic
Harris 1A2 Bipod

More pics please!!!
 
No pics, but I just put an 18" barreled action from Meredith Rifles into a McMillan M40 with molded - in OD green. Barrel is a M40 contour Bartlein. Has a Leupold 2.5-8 M4 with TMR reticle.

By design, I spec'd this for a short, handy stick. I have a butt ton of 20" rifles, but went a bit shorter. With the heavier contour, 18" length and sniper fill stock it balances well. . . even at 13#.
 
No pics, but I just put an 18" barreled action from Meredith Rifles into a McMillan M40 with molded - in OD green. Barrel is a M40 contour Bartlein. Has a Leupold 2.5-8 M4 with TMR reticle.

By design, I spec'd this for a short, handy stick. I have a butt ton of 20" rifles, but went a bit shorter. With the heavier contour, 18" length and sniper fill stock it balances well. . . even at 13#.
 
Here is my finished 18" Savage .243.


Finally got out and shot this today. Here are some results with Win brass, 210M's, H4831SC, and 95 Gr Berger VLD's.

44.0 Gr = 2700 FPS
44.5 Gr = 2730 FPS
45.0 Gr = 2755 FPS
45.5 Gr = 2790 FPS
46.0 Gr = 2850 FPS

I could probably go up more as there were no pressure signs at 46.0, but my best accuracy was at 45.0. Overall it averaged just under 1 MOA. It actually had quite a bit more recoil than I thought it would - the rifle is pretty light. Going to try some 58 Gr Vmax next.
 
Finally got out and shot this today. Here are some results with Win brass, 210M's, H4831SC, and 95 Gr Berger VLD's.

44.0 Gr = 2700 FPS
44.5 Gr = 2730 FPS
45.0 Gr = 2755 FPS
45.5 Gr = 2790 FPS
46.0 Gr = 2850 FPS

I could probably go up more as there were no pressure signs at 46.0, but my best accuracy was at 45.0. Overall it averaged just under 1 MOA. It actually had quite a bit more recoil than I thought it would - the rifle is pretty light. Going to try some 58 Gr Vmax next.

Given the sub nose nature of that rifle, I wonder if H4350 would give you more speed...
 
16.5" 6.5 Creedmoor


16.5" Pac-Nor 1/8 3 groove 6.5 Creedmoor, Mcree compact carbine folder, ERGO grip, 2.5-10 Nightforce, Magpul CTR stock with cheek riser. Just need to send it off to get the Nitride done now. Gun weighs in right at 10.5lbs, plan on changing out the rings and bases to the Badger alloy's which should shed a few ounces. With the LTR stock and standard BDL hardware it weighs right at 9lbs.
 
I'm having a 16" 308 build I was wondering what optic you guys think I should run? This rifle will be primerely used out to 400-500 yards
US Optics 1.8-10x37 mil/mil gap reticle
US Optics 3.2-17x44 mil/mil gap reticle
Premier Heritage 3-15x50mm Tactical
 
I'm having a 16" 308 build I was wondering what optic you guys think I should run? This rifle will be primerely used out to 400-500 yards
US Optics 1.8-10x37 mil/mil gap reticle
US Optics 3.2-17x44 mil/mil gap reticle
Premier Heritage 3-15x50mm Tactical
You will get all kinds of answers with a question like that. I would say what ever suits your needs. I have several and different days I like different scopes. I have the 2.5-10 NF, 5.5-22 NF, and the ATACR. Just depends on what I'm shooting that day and where. When I'm hunting I prefer the 2.5-10 because of the simplicity of it, when I'm at the range I prefer the ATACR because of the field of view and the 25X. In the end this is nearly an impossible question for anybody to answer except for you.
 


Thompson Center Encore 16in MGM .300-221 (same as a 300Blk or 300 Whisper) with TBAC 30P-1... Nearly the quietest and shortest single-stamp rifle possible... minus your bullpup, forward trigger tools. And I suppose a TBAC 30PSS could shorten it another few inches.
 
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Wow crazy to see you on here AIAW, Mr. post king. Thanks for the props, will be putting a few rounds down the tube on Saturday before I send it off. I will have to leave by 10 or 11 though, have to pick the in laws up at the airport. I doubt you will make it by then though. Will be checking velocity to get a base line for before and after the Nitriding.
 
Yeah, about to hit that 100 post count in 13 years! I lost a couple hundred when the forums got upgraded though.

In-laws!? 'Nuf said, hehe... So what is the overall wait time for the Nitride process?
 
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Well, I put this together after obsessively searching and reading SH, (when I wasn't lost in Motivational 2.0).
So, thanks and here you go.

Rem 700 AAC-SD 16.5"bbl 308win
McMillan HTG (purchased from Stockys, great customer service. Kim had all the answers and sent me pics of the actual stocks, since molded colors can vary so much.)
BAD-DBM
Leupy 3.5-10X40 CDS
Grovetec Flush Cups
Seekins Rail-waiting on Atlas PSR (missed the GB, so might be a while)
VTAC Padded Hunter sling
Triad Stock Pack
Hoping to shoot Saturday.





 
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Savage 10P-SR (.308) w/ 5R Rifling 18" barrel. (19.75 w/brake)
B&C Medalist Stock
Weaver 20moa base
Model 10 brake (amazon)
Seekins Precision Low Rings
Viper Vortex PST 6-24x50 MRAD SFP
Vortex Anti-Cant Bubble
Triad Tactical Stock Pack
Harris BRM-S bipod (not pictured)