Short barrel Tactical rifles

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Fatelvis

Fatelvis

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Ive seen a couple tactical bolt rifles with very short barrels. What is the reason for this, portability, barrel harmonics, etc? Thanx-
 
As I understand it, these are for improved handling in tight urban circumstances where the reduction in bullet velocity and increased muzzle blast are deemed secondary to handling. Personally, I like long tubes whenever possible.
 
Short heavy barrels are stiffer barrels. The basic advantage is that they're more portable (less likely to snag on stuph, more vehicle friendly) and since the deployment is likely to be under 300 yards, they're good enough for gubmint work.
 
The basic advantage is that they're more portable (less likely to snag on stuph, more vehicle friendly) and since the deployment is likely to be under 300 yards, they're good enough for gubmint work.
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That's pretty much the same logic for all carbines in general over the years. Except that you could replace "vehicle" with "horse" for some of those older lever and bolt actions. The fact that carbines are good for CQB also has been a fairly recent discovery(well, since WWII) and is just icing on the cake so to speak.

Carbines are sort of a "jack of all trades master of none" proposition though. Especially now with select-fire carbines like the M-4. They are usually deployed in situations where somebody sometimes needs a rifle, sometimes needs subgun and sometimes needs a pistol. Rather than carry all those, they use a carbine instead. It can do all those jobs but doesn't excell at any of them. This is why they end up getting a bad rep.
 
What everybody else has already said so well. The short stiff barrels are every bit as accurate asthe longer barrels (just ask any competitive benchrest shooter) but are much easier to handle and manuver with. You do sacrifice some velocity and this can be a handicap past two or three hundred yards.
My Steyr SBS HBC Tactical is every bit as accurate as my longer barrelled Remington 700VS...

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3 rounds Black Hills 168gr. match .308 at 100 yards...

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20" barrels

I just traded my old 24" heavy barreled Savage Model 10 in .308 for a new Accu-Trigger model 10 heavy barrel with 20" inch barrel also in .308. I just like the shorter barrels for no particular reason except I like them. I do not shoot much farther than 200 yards anyways so they suit me fine. I have a Remington LTR .308 with 20" barrel, but the Savage, believe it or not, shoots better. I shoot mostly reloads and cast bullets in the Savage. I do not have a problem with the short barrel but some of the shooters I recently shot with in a silhouette match said it was louder than the dickens, especially the guy that shot next to me. Here is a target I shot with the Savage using reloads. It was a calm day, from sandbags on a bench. This was the first three rounds. The next three, on a different target were slightly bigger. Of course, I just kept the best target. The gun can do it and so can I. Sometimes!! I was using a Redfield 3x9 scope. Some people can probably shoot the 20" guns at long range with great success. I guess you have to know what you are doing way on out there. I just stay at 200 yards or less and all is well.
 

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Nate - would that be the "Mare's Laig 2K3" from the upcoming movie re-make of "Wanted Dead or Alive?" :rolleyes: :D
 
Its actually in 457 magnum and is quite controllable shooting "offhand".

They are also being made in 44 magnum and 50 Alaskan, in take down versions and with 11 1/2 barrels (cut right back to the forend cap).

Back to the original topic, I was told by the guys at Stey years ago that their 20 inch bbl SSGs were more accurate thatn their 26 inch bbl ones. Barrel harmonics.

WildshortiscoolAlaska
 
LEO sniper applications usually happen under 100yards (or was it 75yards), so shaving 4-6" off of the barrel length has advantages of weight, maneuverability and concealability without giving up too much worthwhile loss of velocity.

Recent trends have LEOs upgunning to magnum calibers from .223 & .308 anyways to make up for loss of velocity and added punch. -I think this was a result of famous "Good Guys" hostage crisis where glass deflected snipershot & resulted in hostage fatalities.
 
KOR- a remake of the Rutger Hauer movie?

I hope they don't cast some candyass in Rutger's role. That was a good movie.
 
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