Sheltowee
Well-known member
What is your reasoning behind a 27-28inch barrel?
35 Whelen vs 7mm Mag
- Thread starter Greybeard
- Start date
Believe it or not, some shooters still prefer long barrels and no suppressor. Personal choice. mtmuley
Sheltowee
Well-known member
Sure, I get that. You usually don’t see much beyond 26” for a .30-06-based case, though. 27-28” is on the long side even for shooters who prefer longer barrels.
Curious as to his rationale and whether he’s getting to the point of diminishing returns on velo. That’s all.
Seeking the most velocity I'm sure but I understand your point. Muddy seems to push the envelope. mtmuley
150 gr Nosler E-tips at 3100 fps in Africa. Zebra, Wildebeest, Eland (africas moose).
I had a bullet hit an eland right on the big numerous bone, shattering it along with a rib, stopping short of the heart. Granted, that’s pretty extreme- had I slipped the bullet in behind the shoulder and just hit a rib it would have been fine.
It’s just how hunting works: sometimes things go a little awry and I like the insurance of a bigger bullet on game animals that can go 900# or more.
noharleyyet
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Mustangs Rule
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- Feb 4, 2021
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What I say now comes from my personal experience.
I have had two 35 Whelen's. My hunting partner had a 9,3x62. We are both long time experienced reloads and shooters. For quite a number of years, we would go to Utah every winter for a late season cow, antlerless elk hunt. The cows could get pretty big, and the land was open country. Off season we would, work up loads, go to the range, do all the math, all the things gun nuts do.
The 9,3 was, is and always will be a close to at best a barely medium range caliber.
What was the best of the best for medium bore was a 35 Whelen using Barnes 200 grain, TTSXBT bullet with a B.C. of .359 going 2,800 feet/sec. That was an honest 350 yard caliber. And even better with a turret dial ranging scope.
I recall watching a wrestling match ages ago between a larger, bigger, muscular but somewhat fat wrestler and a small but not small man, who was solid toned muscle and was much faster. There was no contest at all. The leaner, faster guy won easily.
Barnes bullets are the leaner, faster, more efficient killers, and do they kill well, even at distant ranges. The bugs have been worked out very well indeed.
Where did I end up after all these years, sold all my big calibers and now use on everything a Sako Finnlight with a tight 20 1/4" match grade barrel, shooting Barnes TTSXBT 168 grain bullets pushed by a max load of AA2520 going just under 2,900'/sec. Shoots sub-moa, does it all with a great BC. Deal done!
If I ever cut a barrel, you will be the very first to know. mtmuley
84 more to go. mtmuley
RealMuddyboots
Well-known member
Milk every fps is the motto of a lot of shooters. As @mtmuley mentioned, I wring every fps from every grain of powder. I like long barrels. Yeah, I know I am compensating for something. But at 6'5" not much. I haven't shot cup and core for few years and like to run monos to warp speed. They perform best at higher velocities.
For example, Recent .270 Win build is a rocket with 27" barrel. Not your grandpas version. I run a 156HH @3250 and it topped out over 3300. Heck the 140HHT is running over 3400.
Most recent 30-06 build with 26" barrel runs 181HH @3100 under same premise.
I build rifles to leave no velocity on table. Every build shows there might be some more to unleash. That is the fun being rocket man.
For example, Recent .270 Win build is a rocket with 27" barrel. Not your grandpas version. I run a 156HH @3250 and it topped out over 3300. Heck the 140HHT is running over 3400.
Most recent 30-06 build with 26" barrel runs 181HH @3100 under same premise.
I build rifles to leave no velocity on table. Every build shows there might be some more to unleash. That is the fun being rocket man.
This is awesome. The old girl has it. mtmuley
RealMuddyboots
Well-known member
Except you can build non SAAMI based rifles to reduce pressure and gain velocity. Serengeti Bore Rider reamer, long actions with magazine max COAL of 3.67" and longer. Add in throat with added freebore to provide seating out for monos to increase case capacity you now have more velocity potential with slower burning powders.
What’s brass life like? RL26?
RealMuddyboots
Well-known member
RL26 is the rocket fuel. Lucky I have about 13#'s left and the .270 is the primary use.
5-6 loads easily. I do not push brass hard at all. I run to first sign of pressure then back off 1 grain.
Fed 210 primers
Peterson brass
5-6 loads easily. I do not push brass hard at all. I run to first sign of pressure then back off 1 grain.
Fed 210 primers
Peterson brass
Had a 24” 30-06 that I struggled to get 2850 with a 180 accubond with rl26 before I ran out of case room with saami throat. The hammer design is definitely helping you gain some velocity
RealMuddyboots
Well-known member
RL26 might not be the best powder for your setup. W760, Ramshot Hunter and Big Game just might give you little better. I like Hunter. The key difference as you noted is SAAMI. The 180AB is taking up case space that is wasted horsepower. For example, I can run the 180AB quite a ways out due to throat and freebore. Reduces pressure and increases case capacity. I do plan on running the 180AB and 200AB just to see what it will do. The Hammer design helps a lot but its not sole reason. Good example is my son's 700ADL 30-06 22" barrel runs the 180HH at 2875. Topped over 2900 with W760. Don't forget all monos are longer than cup core so this requires the type of build to max COAL and gain case capacity.
For SG's I will run 180AB ladder in next few days and will either PM or post up.
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Wind Gypsy
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I'm with the others, pick which floats your boat.
