Short Barrlel vs. Velocity vs. Weight

[Survivor]

Are conventional powders going to burn all of the way off in less than a 20" barrel?  I'm considering a shorter barrel on my savage to save a little weight.  I'm not sure how much velocity I'm willing to lose if the powder isn't fully utilized.  I've seen some really short barrels on Ruger, H&R, Contender.  How do they do it?  They're shooting factory ammo.  What am I missing?

[gunnut69]

A lot depends on caliber. The more overbore the caliber the worse the loss will likely be. Sixteen inches is the shortest barrel length allowed on a rifle and most centerfires stop at 18-20 inches. Not because the velocity loss but because of the extreme muzzle blast. The powder burns fairly quicklly but the gas pressures in the barrel are still quite high. This means the short barrel produce more noise from the high pressure gas at their abreviated muzzles. Of course there is a point past which more powder will not generate higher velocities in a short barrel but it would likely be hard to reach.. What caliber are you considering and what action, etc. are you working with.. Some of the better synthetic stocks are very good and still very light.. Also remember, a rifle that's very light is usually more difficult to shoot well. I like longish barrels and walnut..I will do fine with a bit heavier rifle but of course I don't hunt in the high country any more..

[Survivor]

I hear you.  I like a managable rifle...BUT...I want a compact gun at some point.  It doesn't have to be this one.  A walnut pistol grip will be an up grade on my Savage 10 in 243.  I went synthetic to save a little coin in the long run when I bought it.  Figured I was buying a good action.  Shoots great as is.  But if the 243 could get a little shorter that would be nice.

[gunnut69]

The 243 is a pretty efficient round so a little shorter won't hurt terribly. I wouldn't go under 20 inches but 18 is still legal. Expect in the neighborhood of 50 fps loss from velocities taken in a 22 inch tube. Depending on profile you might loose 1-2 ozs. per inch of barrel at the end of the tube..maybe 6-8 ozs. max. Wouldn't enough to matter to me but to each his own. The 243 has nearly no recoil and is usually superbly accurate.. With 95-100 grain partitions it is a very effective whitetail round and with 75-85 grain hollow points a very effective coyote killer..

[Survivor]

The Handi to Survivor conversion that I'm working on will satisfy this little fetish for me.  My Savege has been flawless and I'll respect his performance by leaving him alone.  IYO, what other rifles have performed well w/ short barrels? 

[animal]

The .243's speed is it's attribute. I would not go shorter than 22" if it's for longer ranges. Inside of 100 yards won't matter.

[animal]

The 30-30 is a sweet shooter  in the 20" lever carbine and not loud. When you get into higher velocity 308 caliber or larger,  shorter than 20 " barrels get awfully loud. Just my .02 cents, some people love big, fast, fiery, and loud.
    Good luck in your project.

[gunnut69]

There are faster .243 calibers. The 243 can loose 150-200 FPS and still be extremely effective.. Below 20 inches the muzzle blast gets pretty uncomfortable.. I've used the 243 extensively and it works very well indeed. Nearly any fairly balanced round will work in shorter barreled guns as well as most with no bottle neck. You likely won't gain too much of a weight savings but thats as it may be..