Shortening the barrel on Rem. 7600

SBG · November 9, 2005, 12:04 PM

I have a new 7600 in .308 and was interested in getting the barrel shortened to "carbine" length. I've hunted with a 742 carbine for years and love the shorter barrel in the tree stand. I was wondering what to expect from the shortening in regards to felt recoil, accuracy, and long range effects. Thanks for any help and God bless.

**Unclenick** · November 9, 2005, 03:45 PM

The recoil will increase because the weight is reduced. The muzzle velocity will be reduced about 30 fps for every inch you take off the barrel. This will begin to significantly affect trajectory at long ranges (beyond 300 yards), but at normal hunting ranges it shouldn't be a problem.

For example, firing a 165 grain Hornady BTSP or Nosler Partition from a Winchester case over 43.5 grains of IMR4895 produces 2700 fps from a 24" barrel and 2550 fps from an 18" barrel. Zeroed at 200 yards, per Cooper's precepts, both will stay in a 4.3" circle to 230 yards. The longer barrel delivers the bullet at about 1870 ft-lbs at that range, while the short one gets it there with about 1650 ft-lbs left. At 300 yards the bullet from the short barrel has dropped 9.4 inches below the 200 yard zero, while the one from the long barrel has dropped 8.4". When zeroed at 200 yards, it takes 300 yards to get the point of impact one inch different between them.

Nick

SBG · November 10, 2005, 08:32 PM

Thanks for the info Unc. I really appreciate it.

fhp490 · November 11, 2005, 07:23 PM

I would also recommend Mercury recoil reducer Brownells product # 163-100-002
This will go a long way to help with the added recoil

Harry Bonar · November 15, 2005, 09:33 AM

Dear shooter:
Don't do it.
Harry B.

OBIWAN · November 15, 2005, 09:52 AM

I would not go below 18"

SBG · November 15, 2005, 12:33 PM

Harry,
Thanks for the reply...any particular reason for the "don't" advice?

Harry Bonar · November 15, 2005, 06:10 PM

Dear Shooter:
Yes, and I shouldn't have been so short

!
If your bbl is 22", or 24" you really won't gain too much in manuverability and you will have the expense of the work; you will lose some velocity and it just isn't necessary, I don't think.
However, if you will use this for tree-stand use at close range shooting go ahead.
The .308 is a small case and it needs some bbl length to perform with the fast burning powders; not only that but the muzzle=blast will be more. I, personally, wouldn't get in any tree stand made, and I hunt, when I do, from terra-firma!
Harry B.
P.S. In my youth I felt the same as you - a short bbl.

SBG · November 17, 2005, 08:01 PM

Thanks Harry...very good advice.

November 9, 2005, 12:04 PM	#1
SBG Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Posts: 16	Shortening the barrel on Rem. 7600 I have a new 7600 in .308 and was interested in getting the barrel shortened to "carbine" length. I've hunted with a 742 carbine for years and love the shorter barrel in the tree stand. I was wondering what to expect from the shortening in regards to felt recoil, accuracy, and long range effects. Thanks for any help and God bless.

November 15, 2005, 09:33 AM	#5
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	shortening the bbl. Dear shooter: Don't do it. Harry B.

November 15, 2005, 06:10 PM	#8
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	bbl shortening Dear Shooter: Yes, and I shouldn't have been so short ! If your bbl is 22", or 24" you really won't gain too much in manuverability and you will have the expense of the work; you will lose some velocity and it just isn't necessary, I don't think. However, if you will use this for tree-stand use at close range shooting go ahead. The .308 is a small case and it needs some bbl length to perform with the fast burning powders; not only that but the muzzle=blast will be more. I, personally, wouldn't get in any tree stand made, and I hunt, when I do, from terra-firma! Harry B. P.S. In my youth I felt the same as you - a short bbl.

November 9, 2005, 03:45 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	The recoil will increase because the weight is reduced. The muzzle velocity will be reduced about 30 fps for every inch you take off the barrel. This will begin to significantly affect trajectory at long ranges (beyond 300 yards), but at normal hunting ranges it shouldn't be a problem. For example, firing a 165 grain Hornady BTSP or Nosler Partition from a Winchester case over 43.5 grains of IMR4895 produces 2700 fps from a 24" barrel and 2550 fps from an 18" barrel. Zeroed at 200 yards, per Cooper's precepts, both will stay in a 4.3" circle to 230 yards. The longer barrel delivers the bullet at about 1870 ft-lbs at that range, while the short one gets it there with about 1650 ft-lbs left. At 300 yards the bullet from the short barrel has dropped 9.4 inches below the 200 yard zero, while the one from the long barrel has dropped 8.4". When zeroed at 200 yards, it takes 300 yards to get the point of impact one inch different between them. Nick

November 10, 2005, 08:32 PM	#3
SBG Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Posts: 16	Thanks for the info Unc. I really appreciate it.

November 11, 2005, 07:23 PM	#4
fhp490 Member Join Date: September 30, 2005 Posts: 32	I would also recommend Mercury recoil reducer Brownells product # 163-100-002 This will go a long way to help with the added recoil

November 15, 2005, 09:52 AM	#6
OBIWAN Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 1999 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,340	I would not go below 18"

November 15, 2005, 12:33 PM	#7
SBG Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Posts: 16	Harry, Thanks for the reply...any particular reason for the "don't" advice?

November 17, 2005, 08:01 PM	#9
SBG Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Posts: 16	Thanks Harry...very good advice.