Cut the barrel to what length?

[neo-con]

I have a Remington 700 ADL 30/06 with a 24 barrel that is just to long for where I hunt. I don't take long shots and I only hunting white tales and hogs.
A shorter barrel will work better in the blinds I hunt out of and getting in and out of the truck. I am considering going to 20".

Are there 30/06 rounds loaded with faster burning powders for short barrels?

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I'd go with 21.5-22", but 20" will work fine, too.

 

[sarduy]

16.5 / 18.5

 

[Kind of Blued]

Legal Disclaimer: Just keep it longer than 16", preferably 16.5".

 

[NCsmitty]

I would not go shorter than 20" with a 30-06. You'll lose at least 100-150fps from the 24" length and the muzzle blast will increase too, depending on the load.
It will be much handier for your situation though.

NCsmitty

 

[Art Eatman]

Shorter = Louder.

There's no such thing as "faster burning powder for short barrels". A faster burning powder likely won't have as much muzzle flash, but the velocity inevitably is reduced as the barrel is shortened. Trying to maintain velocity via faster powders leads to unsafe pressure levels.

 

[rangerruck]

for the 30.06, there is not a big enough speed drop to worry about, between 18 and 22 inches to worry about, especially if you don't shoot over 300 yds.
Cut it to 18.

 

[Uncle Mike]

... say your at 24" now.

If you loose 2" off your waistline or loose 2" of hair... if you loose 2" of....well, nevermind, this all, you would notice.

But loosing 2" of rifle barrel as far as the physical aspect is concerned... I shouldn't think you would even notice.

Now going from 24" to 20"... now you might notice the ease of which you can climb into your stand, or exit the truck... this I would give up velocity for.

The loss of a mere 2" would only prove to reduce downrange preformance while not achieving much in the way of a physical asset.

 

[USSR]

Shorter = Louder.

+1, and a great big muzzle blast. Personally, I wouldn't go below 22" on a .30-06. My .30-06 hunting rifle (Sako) has a 24" barrel, and both my .30-06 match rifles have 26" barrels.

Don

 

[DeepSouth]

Cut it to 22"
use the gun a while, if it is still to long cut it to 20"
use it a while longer, if it is still to long cut it to 18"
use it a while longer, if it is still to long cut it to 16.5"
use it forever even if it to long.


That would be my plan.

 

[Furncliff]

White tail deer and hogs are regularly taken at 50 yards or so with .357 mag pistols at muzzle velocities half that of the .30-06 with similar weight bullets. I don't care how much you cut off the barrel, it's got to be more than a pistol. On second thought leave the rifle alone , buy a pistol, choose your shots.

 

[psyopspec]

Do your own research at http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com

 

[rcmodel]

I think you will find 20" to be quite handy, and the rifle will still balance right.

Anything shorter will seem butt heavy, not to mention blowing your eardrums out without hearing protection.

And I doubt you want to wear earplugs while hog hunting.

rc