3. 16.5" Barrel for DT (What caliber for hunting)

16.5" Barrel for DT (What caliber for hunting)

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    Guys,
    I just acquired a covert handrail for my DT on the cheap and now have the bug for a new shorty barrel. This will be exclusively for stand hunting whitetail and occasional coyote. 95% of my shots are 200 yds and closer. I just think it would be a very handy suppressed hunting rifle.
    I have recently learned the DT likes to feed 6.5 CM better than 6.5x47L, so I am leaning in the 6.5 CM direction.
    I just wanted to see if anyone here hunts with a 16.5" barrel and what is your preferred load (bullet and powder) and what kind of performance I could expect.
    I am not dead set on the 6.5 CM so all suggestion's are appreciated. Greg and Travis, you guys will be getting this order so I would love to here your suggestions as well.

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  • 6.5 Creed is a good option for short barrels. Performance will suffer greatly, but it will still be faster than a 308 at equal length.

    It won't have "knock down" power, but if the bullet gets placed right it will kill.

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  • Given the range you'd be shooting, you might consider a 6mm instead. Much more velocity, better terminal performance. 6 creedmoor or plain 243win.

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    Thanks for the reply. Interested in the 6 creed... Want to run some ballistic analysis. What bullet would you recommend and what kind of velocity could I expect? Berger 115 Hunting VLD?

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  • @painless said in 16.5" Barrel for DT (What caliber for hunting):

    Thanks for the reply. Interested in the 6 creed... Want to run some ballistic analysis. What bullet would you recommend and what kind of velocity could I expect? Berger 115 Hunting VLD?

    No need for the high BC of a 115 VLD if your goal is only 200 yards. Be back to slow and poor trajectory.
    Run the numbers on an 87 VLD, 87 V-Max, 90 NBT, or 95NBT going 2900-3000. I'd be for wanting to keep as much velocity up as I could for point and click to 200 yards

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    What do you feel would be an acceptable (Energy) ft-lbs would be for whitetail? I have heard 1000 ft-lbs is the absolute minimum, but just wanted your thoughts.

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  • @painless said in 16.5" Barrel for DT (What caliber for hunting):

    What do you feel would be an acceptable (Energy) ft-lbs would be for whitetail? I have heard 1000 ft-lbs is the absolute minimum, but just wanted your thoughts.

    Not a clue, I've really never looked at energy numbers. I'm more concerned with what the bullet does on impact, as I feel that's going to have more to do with the terminal performance than energy.

    Some rough numbers I looked at -- velocities for comparision value only, I have very little experience with 16.5" barrels and their corresponding velocities, these numbers are just assumed from my experiences with other barrels --

    6mm 87 Berger VLD at 3000fps -- 200yds .4elev, .3wind, 1275ft/lb, impact velocity 2568fps
    6mm 115 Berger VLD at 2700 fps -- 200 yds .5elev, .3wind, 1460ft/lb, impact velocity 2391fps
    6.5mm 143 Hornady ELD-X at 2500fps -- 200 yds .7elev, .3 wind, 1552ft/lb, impact velocity 2211fps

    It's been my experience that the lighter bullets travelling faster will dump all of their energy in a critter and provide more hydrostatic shock to shut a critter's lights off. While the 6.5 bullet travelling slower with more energy will still absolutely get the job done if placed properly. However, it's unlikely that the heavier constructed bullet will open much and will most likely pass through taking some of its energy with it.
    Now, this all comes back to pure preference of one's desired bullet performance. I however, like my bullets to stay inside and dump all their energy in a critter. I feel more confident in that effect completely wrecking their innards and resulting in a faster, more humane kill.
    I have zero desire to start a Barnes TSX versus Nosler Ballistic Tip argument with my above comments.

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    Thanks Travis, you make a good point, I ran very similar values I think I use a little higher velocity on the 115 but its splitting hairs. It really makes since as my 7 LRM is moving the 180 Berger Hybrid at 2650 at 200yds with 2800ft/lbs of energy and it absolutely devastates the opposite shoulder. With the thin jacket of the Target Hybrid I am probably I losing a lot of meat as opposed to using a thicker jacketed bullet although at that velocity it probably doesn't matter.
    I think you guys may be on to something with the 87g 6 Creed.
    I really appreciate the info guys.

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  • Travis's post has my full support. I feel the same way about it.

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    I really appreciate the ballistics lesson!!
    Sounds like 6 creed in a 87g is where I will focus.

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  • Another thing to think about is the versatility of a 6mm. You can use those same 87's on coyotes with great success, or you can drop down to 55gr noslers and whiz them out at around 4000fps for some real fireworks. Those are full length barrel numbers obviously, but I'd expect some blistering speeds with 55's even out of a short barrel. 3500 to 3700'ish fps would be my guess. In short ranges, they'd be like a lightning strike on coyotes. I wouldn't like them beyond 200yds however ... but to 150 you'd watch the fur fly.

    Heck even my little 16" 6BR hit 3200fps with them very easily.

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