16" vs 24" .308 Win Velocity...

[longrangehunter]

Last hunting season (2024) was my first year trying mono’s in my 308, 7-08 and .257 WSM. While hunting with my Tikka (7-08), I would keep both my 120 TTSX and 120 NOS BT handloads in my stock bag and I would load as I desired for the hunt (same POI). The first shot on the doe (didn’t drop her but would have been lethal/big hole behind her shoulder) was with my 120 Nos BT/Big Game. She pile drives for 20 yards, stood back up and then walked toward and prepared to jump the barbed wire fence that separated the farm’s property line that leads to the thick stuff. I put a second anchoring round through her. The 2nd shot was with my Barnes 120 TTSX/CFE223 handload. I had single loaded the Nos BT (1st shot) over a mag of handloaded Barnes 120 TTSX/CFE223. The big hole behind her shoulder was the entrance with 120 Nos BT(shot #1). The second pic shows the exit hole from shot #2 (Barnes TTSX 120). I have a hard time deciding which load I prefer to hunt with. Both shots were devastating but I think that I get a little more blood trail with the Nos BT. I tend to shoot more lung shots behind the shoulder. Each shot was 175 and 200 yards respectively with a 16” suppressed barrel. Maybe I don’t have to decide. Fun times…

Your first shot was spot on and would have been enough, but I completely understand your concern had it jumped the fence.

Good shooting, cool rifle too! Which Tika is that? Looks like a low magnified Vortex 1-8?

 

[longrangehunter]

Recently tested five different .308 Winchester ammo types, two handloads and three factory loads, in both my 24" Rem 700 and a 16" barreled rifle built by Gavin. I knew the 16" would do rather well. There's roughly a 200 fps difference between the two rifles with bullet weights from 125 - 175 grains:

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FYI, if you're researching short-barrel rifle ballistics, take a look at the "pistol" section Hodgdon's online Data Center offers. It's intended for users of specialty pistols with 15" barrels but is real useful for folks building or buying shorter-barreled rifles as well.

Regards, Guy

Gavin did you justice by using a 1:8” out of a 16” bbl. so you’ll get two full revolutions before the bullet exits.

I’ve always just fallowed that rule even though some people might not see it that way? Simple rule actually vs length of a bullet…. I’ve never been one to shoot a low SD bullet, too short IMO to hunt with, but that’s just my personal preference.

I’ve considered sending Gavin rifle parts I’ve gathered from RO’ing for a build. Looks like now I might need to get in touch with him after I see your build!?!

It’s a shooter right?

 

[Guy Miner]

Cole - the 24" Remington is my rifle, the 16" custom is a rifle Gavin built for the shop. I write articles and do videos for UR and get a chance to work with a lot of his rifle builds. He does build an excellent rifle and each that I've worked with has shot well. This 16" 308 that I dubbed "Shorty" is my favorite of the many rifles he's built.

Regards, Guy

 

[JMRhino]

Your first shot was spot on and would have been enough, but I completely understand your concern had it jumped the fence.

Good shooting, cool rifle too! Which Tika is that? Looks like a low magnified Vortex 1-8?

Thanks. It is a Tikka T3X Lite Stainless in 7mm-08. I had a gunsmith chop and thread the barrel to 16" and 1/2x28. The scope is a Vortex Strike Eagle 1x8 FFP. It has been working well. It is a good optic for the money but a tad heavy. On low magnification it behaves as a red dot but can reach out if needed. I may consider a Leupold 2X12 with a Firedot or Vortex Gen III Razor 1X10 but I am not in any hurry.