Short barrel 7-08

[lefteyedom]

Thinking hard about shortening a 7-08 down to 16 1/2" and have it threaded for a suppressor. Why? because Wyoming every well may legalize hunting with suppressors next year.

I am looking for chronograph info for a 140 grain bullet out this barrel length.

Winter are long and a Man has to have something to do during the long nights.

 

[VAPOPO]

A 16" Barrel will likely turn your 7mm08 into a 7x30 waters performance wise. A 18" barrel would cut the velocity loss by 100fps or so.

 

[Abel]

I would go 18.5" instead.

 

[Scrumbag]

In the UK where hunting with a suppressor is becoming the norm (if it isn't already) the solution is to have a 'can' that goes back over the barrel which means if you have to keep and extra inch or 2 for performance it isn't too long overall...

 

[helotaxi]

If you're not planning on long shots, losing the barrel length isn't that big of a deal. You'll get some of the velocity back from the suppressor.

 

[lefteyedom]

What the books say...

From another site I was directed to the Nosler load data site. Nosler listed 14" hand gun loads for the 7-08 as well as 26" barrel rifle loads. Using Nosler's load data and Hornady's ballistic calculator to figure the data it would seem that a 16 1/2 barreled 7-08 would launch a 140 grain bullet about 2500 fps and at 400 yards it would retain 1015 ftlb. Using to old standard of 1000ftlb of energy for ethical deer killing this little rifle would be A 400 yard deer rifle.
FYI a 140 grain 7-30 Waters out of a 14" barrel pushes about 2200

Nosler's site shows a 7-08

From a 14" pistol barrel
120 grain bullet, 2500 fps
140 grain bullet, 2400 fps

From a 26" rifle barrel
120 grain bullet 3000fps
140 grain bullet 2800 fps

My guess would be about 100 fps gain from a 16 1/2 barrel over a 14".

Using the Hornady Ballistic Calculator

120 grain Muzzle 2600 fps 1801ft-lb at 400 yards 1828 fps and 890 ft-lbs
140 grain Muzzle 2500 fps 1943ft-lb at 400 yard 1807 fps and 1015 ft-lb

As all ways your mileage may vary...

 

[adelbridge]

I have been searching for a 7mm can myself but looks like .30 is going to have to suffice since I cant find anyone making 7mm. Why do you want to shorten your barrel? You arent going to notice a few inches with big ol can hanging off the end.

 

[lefteyedom]

The reason for shorting the barrel is to make room for the suppressor. 16 1/4 barrel with 8" can will be the same as a 24" barrel rifle.

It is one thing to shoot a rifle with a 50" over all length at a firing range, it is not very handy length to use while hunting

 

[lefteyedom]

Here is a picture of what I am think of

 

[tahoe2]

lefteyedom

I too have been considering the "can/carbine" thing as well, (on my Spanish Mauser 7x57).
And yes those Brit's use them alot, not all areas in the UK require them, but most lands do !
If you don't mind my asking, where are your inquires focused ?, cans are darned expensive !!

 

[Pacsd]

I am completely unfamiliar with them. So, I have to ask, what is the advantage of them?

 

[lefteyedom]

Suppressors, are not silent like Hollywood. They reduce the noise level to the point were hearing protection is not needed. The sonic crack of the bullet breaking the sound barrier is the loudest sound. The muzzle blast is removed, and felt recoil is reduced. If the suppressor is of good quality and the barrel correctly thread there is no loss of accuracy.

Go on youtube are search suppressed rifle and you can get a taste of why they are so nice. Once you shoot one you never want give it up.

It is the differance between running open headers or a complete exhaust system

 

[Zak Smith]

According to QuickLoad, if you had a 140gr in a 26" going about 2950, 18.5 would be close to 2750 and 16.5 would be close to 2750.

Unless you are shooting in very tight brush, an extra 2 or 4" isn't going to make a big difference in handling but it will change your ballistics a noticeable amount. On the other hand, under 300 yards you won't notice the difference anyway.

We did a demo for the AP reporter who wrote the story in the Tribune a couple weeks ago. He was actually a hunter and pretty stoked about getting to shoot a suppressed rifle.