View Full Version : Short Barrel Truck Gun Opinions
So Ray is getting some pretty good input on his thread, so I'm gonna give this a shot on my own thread. So I have an action laying around with no dedicated purpose, it's a Surgeon Short Action 591 repeater with a .308 bolt face. I want to build a dedicated truck gun, short barrel 18" at most. Primary use will be 800yds and in, critter getter and possibly deer. I know my options on .308 already and it may be the way it goes, but looking for some other input on different calibers, folding stocks, etc. Not in a rush to build it, but I'm ready to gather the rest of the parts. So fire away guys, opinions, photo examples of shit you like, weight will be a concern but not a set point. Here is a pic of the action to be used..............
http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss256/smchop/SURGEON_zps64513b0d.jpg
bobbyfairbanks
01-18-2015, 16:40
Hard to go wrong with .270
hurley842002
01-18-2015, 16:45
Dang, and here I was thinking lever gun or something upon reading the title. Was going to recommend a 16" 30/30 or similar lol. I got nothing for the bolt gun, but whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be sweet.
XC700116
01-18-2015, 17:08
For short barrels, it's hard to beat a 308 for efficiency, I personally am not a fan of the cartridge for long range work, but there's no doubt it is more efficient in a short barrel than it's 6mm, 6.5mm brethren. Haven't looked into 7mm-08 in shortys personally, but it might be a good choice as well.
XC700116
01-18-2015, 17:09
Hard to go wrong with .270
Except that it's a long action caliber, and a 591 is a short action.[Coffee]
mcantar18c
01-18-2015, 17:14
.308 is a good "general purpose" caliber, IMO.
I know all the benefits of a .308 in short barrels and I agree they are hard to beat, I run a 16.5" GAP 10 in .308 and its a hammer. I reload and was kind of looking for something different. 7-08 has me interested, also saw someone running a .243 at 18" hitting 3000fps with 75gr amax, but thats to light for deer. A lever would be cool, I could sell this and probably cover the cost of a lever, Surgeons are not cheap, but I'm a big fan of the bolt! Keep it coming, anybody run anything with a folder other than a KRG W3, I've had that, excellent stock.
mcantar18c
01-18-2015, 17:26
.243 is not too small for deer...
.243 is not too small for deer...
You are correct, I was thinking more along the lines of the weight, I thought there was a minimum weight requirement for the bullet itself outside of caliber and energy.
mcantar18c
01-18-2015, 17:41
Gotcha. Eh, I'd confidently take the shot with a 75gr. Just make damn sure of your shot placement for a clean/humane kill.
I voted 308 even though I am not a fan of it in really short barrels. I would have voted 223/5.56 based off of the whole short barrel, possibly folder thing. But then I saw 800 yards and the the deer thing. So my vote went for 308 for it's "jack of all trades" ability.
Colorado Osprey
01-18-2015, 17:49
... I thought there was a minimum weight requirement for the bullet itself ...
There is minimums for Colorado big game:
70 grain bullet minimum/ 85 grain for elk and moose
.243 dia bullet minimum
Also, must have 100ft/lbs at 100 yards
The 243 does this easily in all aspects as well as able to punch little 55 grain bullets at laser speeds at critters
The 60 grain Sierra HP is death medicine on coyotes
I know a lot of people who shoot the 243 and like the 85's on antelope and deer. Personally I like the anchor factor on the 90's and 100's for deer and antelope.
7mm-08 might be a good choice as well but I honestly have no idea how it would do in a short barrel. Just like someone else already stated.
I'm not sure on the 7-08 either Ray, wish I knew someone with one. The .243 I'm kinda liking the idea, wonder if the barrel twist would work for 55's up to the 85's?
I'm not sure on the 7-08 either Ray, wish I knew someone with one. The .243 I'm kinda liking the idea, wonder if the barrel twist would work for 55's up to the 85's?
I have a Remmy 7mm-08 in a hunting rifle. It is plenty of rifle for deer-sized game. The DOW encourages use of this caliber for younger hunters that go on their mentored youth hunts for elk, so it offers plenty of punch. The .284 (7mm) is an efficient caliber and should offer good BC for longer ranges.
IHTH
Colorado Osprey
01-18-2015, 19:26
I'm not sure on the 7-08 either Ray, wish I knew someone with one. The .243 I'm kinda liking the idea, wonder if the barrel twist would work for 55's up to the 85's?
My 243 was originally a 7mm-08 I put a 243 tube on. As far as twist a 1:10 will stabilize a 55-85. My 1:10 stabilizes all the way to 100 but doesn't like the 107's. Some 1:10's have issues over 90 grain.
My 243 was originally a 7mm-08 I put a 243 tube on. As far as twist a 1:10 will stabilize a 55-85. My 1:10 stabilizes all the way to 100 but doesn't like the 107's. Some 1:10's have issues over 90 grain.
My 6mm Creedmoor (.243) shooting the 105 hybrids runs a 1:8, but will also run the heavier bullets to. 1:10 huh? Now I think I'm kinda really liking the .243 idea.
My concern with the 7-08 is it being to heavy on the bullets to be fun to shoot varmints with, the 7mm SAUM was running the 162's with great results. Haven't looked to see what lighter loads could be built for the 7mm.
I've shot 140s out of my 7mm Rem mag with decent results. I'm not sure how light of a bullet you can get. I've always wanted a light weight 7mm-08.
OK. I took a quick peek. Looks like you can load 120 grain bullets in the 7mm-08 to right at 3,000 fps.
And 175s at about 2,500 ish.
I've shot 140s out of my 7mm Rem mag with decent results. I'm not sure how light of a bullet you can get. I've always wanted a light weight 7mm-08.
Whats the barrel length and twist on your 7-08 Ray?
Whats the barrel length and twist on your 7-08 Ray?
Lol. I don't know. It's been gathering dust in the safe for probably ten years. I think it's a 26" barrel. Couldn't tell you the twist and I doubt the barrel is marked. I might be digging some other stuff out of the safe tomorrow afternoon. Maybe I can run a cleaning patch through it and let you know.
Oh, and it isn't a 7mm-08. It's a 7mm Remington Mag.
Oh, and it isn't a 7mm-08. It's a 7mm Remington Mag.
Oh shit, we're talking two different calibers! Don't worry about twist and barrel length, not gonna run a magnum round. Thanks though
Oh shit, we're talking two different calibers! Don't worry about twist and barrel length, not gonna run a magnum round. Thanks though
I was just trying to illustrate the options you had for various bullet weights for the 7mm-08. The loads I mentioned above were for the 7mm-08.
I was just trying to illustrate the options you had for various bullet weights for the 7mm-08. The loads I mentioned above were for the 7mm-08.
Gotcha, thanks for that info, after rereading it, I see where you said 7mm Rem Mag. Missed that the first time!
Also looking at the Drake Hunter Stalker chassis
Also looking at the Drake Hunter Stalker chassis
Looks a little like my XLR. Sort of.
My XLR is pretty small and light weight. They also make a thingy that allows the stock to fold. The stock with the tactical lite stock like I have was $595. I think the folder thingy is $115. What's that add up to? $710?
How much is the Drake?
They are running a shot show special for $599, I was looking at the XLR Element also. Like it a lot to.
Put it in a folding stock and run a longer barrel. Problem solved!
Kidding. I have no useful input, I'm just being a PITA.
Hate to admit it, but I vote 308. Much more efficient than about anything out there when it comes to that bolt face.
And seeing as how you added critter killing in, that kinda sealed the deal.
After my last experience with Surgeon Rifles, I went with a Bighorn. Maybe one day Surgeon will send me the correct 223 bolt instead of the 308 bolt.
I would think a 308 or a 7mm-08 would both work quite well. Not a ton of data on the 7mm08, but seen some load reports at respectable velocities down to 18.5" and woukd bet it would do pretty well down to 16. Lots of data showing 18" working well on the 308.
The smaller projectile loads, 260, 6.5CM, 243, 6CM all like just a bit longer barrel before really shining. I'd take the 243 from that lot in a short bbl if I had to choose.
Hate to admit it, but I vote 308. Much more efficient than about anything out there when it comes to that bolt face.
And seeing as how you added critter killing in, that kinda sealed the deal.
After my last experience with Surgeon Rifles, I went with a Bighorn. Maybe one day Surgeon will send me the correct 223 bolt instead of the 308 bolt.
damn Hoser, I expected a different answer from you! I've seen the load data running a .243 with 75gr a max at 3000fps, no one else thinks that's pretty damn good?
Tim K, you have more to share your just holding back....
But did you find a 75g @3000 out of a 16-18" bbl? 243 likes a bit longer barrel.
I would think a 308 or a 7mm-08 would both work quite well. Not a ton of data on the 7mm08, but seen some load reports at respectable velocities down to 18.5" and woukd bet it would do pretty well down to 16. Lots of data showing 18" working well on the 308.
The smaller projectile loads, 260, 6.5CM, 243, 6CM all like just a bit longer barrel before really shining. I'd take the 243 from that lot in a short bbl if I had to choose.
There we go, a .243 vote! I have a 6.5x284, its a screamer. Have a 6mm creedmoor for my DTA, it's gtg too. I think I'm tossing the .308 and the .243 around the most, but necking down a .308 to .284 seems to make sense on paper!
But did you find a 75g @3000 out of a 16-18" bbl? 243 likes a bit longer barrel.
18" barrel.
Agreed. The 284 projectile in the 308 case is a great combo on paper. For a lot of reasons.
bobbyfairbanks
01-19-2015, 13:48
7mm08 is nice i got to pay with a ultra lite pack one. Made on a 600 chasis. It was cool.
My first deer rifle was/is a Rem 788 in 7mm-08. I downed a lot of deer with 140 grn partitions from its 18.5" barrel. Handy little rifle/cartridge combo.
Ok, now I'm thinking of an 18" .308 set up to run the 155's, anyone running the 155's?
Impressive. What powder?
I'll have to dig it up, I forget.
Ok, now I'm thinking of an 18" .308 set up to run the 155's, anyone running the 155's?
Lapua and Sierra 155s at the speed of heat. Fill it up with Varget.
Zombie Steve
02-02-2015, 18:56
I must be losing my mind. I swear I posted on the first page...
Oh well. Boring, but .308 or 7-08... damn near the same thing. I voted .308 for hitting meat factor, and burning faster powders / more efficient with a short barrel factor.
...and I'll second the Varget comment.
Lapua and Sierra 155s at the speed of heat. Fill it up with Varget.
Amen. It's great set up in .308. I have an old 22-250 that will someday soon be turned into a gun just like you are thinking of building.
The 155's and Varget are a great set up. The 178 AMAX is a good bullet as well.
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