Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 7mm/08 with 16.5" barrel

I'm with JPro on 20"s being a magic number, but like Toad says, I like both, or in this case (All 3!!!).

All 35 Remingtons. Strangely the little 600 doesn't seem any louder than the Model 7. The action on the 7600 is so long it compensates for the 16.5" barrel.

Top: 20", Middle 18 1/2", Bottom 16.5".







I know.... it's a sickness. (Actually 3 daughters, 3 SIL's, 3 grandchillin, with another on the way.)

DMc

20" is where I would look, give or take an inch or two.

They balance well and are a good compromise of length/noise/velocity.


Any 06' case with a muzzle break will really leave your ears a ringin'. Like getting slapped with two phone books. My 708 is not too loud, but my ears do ring afterwards for a short while.

That's what I was looking for, thanks!

She's shot my 223 plenty, and never really complained about it much - aside from the time she shot a coyote from her covered carport. If the 7/08 is in the same general noise range, it won't be a problem. Otherwise, I'll look for a 20" barrel and see how it fits her. Kind of a tossup between the Compact and the old tang safety Ultralights, whichever pops up cheapest in an interesting caliber I reckon.

You might consider the various youth models available in different brands. I will comment on the Howa, which I have in .243 Winchester. The Youth models will have a shorter LOP, typically a 20" barrel, and usually top out in 7-08.

The Howa seems to be more than accurate enough, and the only thing I felt needed replacing was the trigger. The standard trigger was usable, but the Timney was an improvement. The weight of the rifle is nice, not the lightest, but certainly not the heaviest.

Having shot several different Thompson Encore rifle cartridge chambered 16.25" barreled short rifles and pistols I can say that there is a very significant muzzle blast that comes with shooting them.

I think you're crazy to shoot ANY centerfire rifle or pistol without quality hearing protection in place for every single shot...

The cumulative damage to one's hearing over a lifetime of hunting and shooting is nothing to take lightly.

I've found that the reduced velocity that comes with a shortened barrel such as a rifle with 16.25" barrel (any shorter and it's illegal to possess without a special federal permit)is more than worth it because these rifles almost always shoot more accurately since a huge portion of accuracy problems are caused by barrel whip.

Barrel whip is greatly reduced as barrels become shorter and 16.25" is quite a nice sweet spot.

I have several carbines with 20" barrels that I'd LOVE to shorten to either 18" or 16.25" but don't want to lessen their sale or trade value in the future if I decide (once again) to change my cartridge focus...

$bob$

LDH - It's funny you should mention the thought of the shorter barrels being more accurate. I've got two other 223's, one with a 22" barrel and the other is either 20" or 22". The 16.5" rifle is the only one which is particular about handloads, a half grain either way will take it from a .6" rifle to a 2"+ rifle. It's been bedded but I left the forearm pressure at the advice of a friend who has some Ruger experience.

My Ruger RSI 77 Stainless 7mm-08 has the 18 1/2 in. barrel
It is a little louder than my std 30-06.
AMRA