Musings Short Action Cartridges from Short Barrels

 I have several articles about the utility of short barrel rifles but most of them are focused on small cartridges like 9mm, .22 LR, .300 Blackout and .357 Magnum. While other loading are discussed I recently came across a premium hunting rifle manufacturer offering 12.5 inch barrel bolt action rifles then found another in the 13 inch range. They offer the rifle in the 3 Creedmoor loadings with one offering .308 Winchester and 6mm ARC. I immediately pondered if the performance would be worth anything.

After doing some research, I can say that I am fully on board with this idea but there are several caveats. That said, I started looking into incorporating such a build into our inventory and if it would make sense to do so.

The short answer is, if I was willing to spend a bunch of money, I could build a nice little rifle for use out to 200 yards to hunt whitetail (my favorite go to benchmark animal). I would like to go over the caveats first.

Fierce Firearms claims they achieve 2500 fps from their Wingman SBR using their in-house custom ammo using a Hornady ELD-M 140 grain bullet in 6.5 Creedmoor. That combined package is likely still usable out to 300 yards if you know your bullet's drop. The problem is that this is custom ordered ammunition using a very expensive rifle. That's not in the range of normal for an average hunter.

Can we do something similar on a budget? Let's mull over this thought experiment. Here are my requirements: 12 to 13 inch barrel, inexpensive ammunition, 200 yards effective range, short action cartridge (I don't see going to .270 or 30-06 for this).

The rifle can be whatever you want. If you want to cut down a Savage Axis or buy a pre-made pistol and build it out, feel free. Most factory ammo like the Federal blue box or Winchester Power Points aren't likely going to be at the velocity level needed to achieve what I'm looking for. 

Digging up good data on velocities can be tricky. Most of everything is specifically AR-10 rifles with 12.5 barrels using range ammo not hunting ammo. So far, a 150 grain .308 Winchester load will likely be around 2300 fps. If we use Federal's Fusion Tipped load for the benchmark, it looks like 2300 fps gets to 156 yards before the velocity drops down to 2000 fps. For reference, 2000 fps is a generally accepted minimum velocity for bullet performance in hunting. Interestingly, the drop with a 100 yard zero is under 3 inches. That's actually pretty great. If 2300 is not correct and the velocity is more like 2250 fps, then we're looking at 130 yards. Unfortunately, we're looking at 1875 fps at the 200 yard mark. I don't know if the bullet works well at those velocities.

If we switch from .308 Winchester to 6.5 Creedmoor, we can at least pick up a higher ballistic coefficient bullet but finding accurate velocity data has become hard to do. The closest I have been able to dig up was a young man showing around 2250 fps with what appears to have been American Gunner 140 grain range ammo. Let's just take that as cannon and select good bullets.

The Hornady ELD-X bullet has a very high BC at .623 G1 and is available in the Precision Hunter loading. If being launched at 2250 fps, that ELD-X will hit 2000 fps around 197 yards and is just about 6 inches down with a 100 yard zero. That is so close to what I'm looking for, it's silly. But wait, there's more.

I've been keeping an eye on .25 Creedmoor since it came out. It's just a .257 caliber bullet in the Creedmoor algorithm that a group of West Virginians developed. You had me at West Virginia but quarter bore is just interesting. It's mostly an exercise in splitting hairs to achieve just a little better performance. Most new hunters could have adopted the 6.5 CM and never needed anything else. As it were, we're splitting hairs here.

If we assume again a 2250 fps (It's likely that we would see a higher velocity due to the lighter bullet weight) and a that we stick with the ELD-X but now have a BC of .633, we achieve 2000 fps right at 200 yards. The calculator also says that we are 6.2 inches down with a 100 yard zero.

Looks like we may have our winner but we should try to validate this first. Going back to Fierce Firearm's webpage for the Wingman SBR, we see they are claiming 2720 to 2725 fps with a 110 grain Nosler in their custom loaded DirtNap ammo. It's $80 for a box of 20 rounds. Not really a good comparison. So maybe we aren't able to verify what we have.

6mm Creedmoor and .22 Creedmoor are pretty much going to be ballparking with higher velocities but with worse BC's. I suspect that the factory Hornady loading with the ELD-X. I reran the calculator for the 6mm CM with a 103 ELD-X but for 2300 fps and it's just about the same as the 6.5mm.

I would like to revisit this once the 25 CM has more factory ammo options and more data available. Rifle options will need to show up as well. Currently, I suspect that the .25 CM is the sweet spot for what I'm thinking on for the build. My reasoning is that the .257 caliber appears to balance expansion diameter and penetration with our needed velocity. Big Game Hunting Blog has completed Hornady ammo gel testing for .22, .25, 6mm and 6.5mm Creedmoor with the .25 CM showing good expansion and penetration while staying in the velocity window. However, the issue falls to is this practical and does it benefit me and the family to chase this down?

From a practical stand point, the answer is yes. The typical East Coast hunting distances are achieved with the worst case velocities. There is ammunition available and more coming online soon, though not wide spread. The rifle would be very short (which you'll want) for woods work. If a 20 inch Winchester model 94 is a good woods gun at 38 inches over-all length, this concept will do fine even with an 8 inch suppressor. Top the build with a 1-8x scope and I figure you'll have a very useable and handy rifle.

To reiterate, I suspect that I am under-playing the 2250 fps velocity for the .25 Creedmoor from a 12.5 inch barrel. If that's the case, the distance is just going to be further and the gun more usable than what I've suggested here. But what's also interesting is that all of the short action cartridges have some sort of useable velocity envelope that a hunter looking for this sort of build could go for. The .308 Winchester version still functions in many distances that lots of hunters find themselves in. I would argue that the only short action cartridges you shouldn't use would be .243 Winchester, 6mm Creedmoor and .22 Creedmoor. I think they need all the velocity they can get for deer hunting given their bullet diameter and the final expansion diameters that gel testing shows. Most factory loads are achieving under half an inch and I think if I'm building this, I should push for a larger hole and deeper penetration. I prefer over final diameter to be over .55 inch with penetration over 18 inches.

This was a fun though experiment and I look forward to seeing what the next several years look like for the firearms world.

Deer Season 2026 and the WWSD Hunter 300 Blackout - A Hunting Story

 Opening Day for the 2026 deer hunting season was successful and I am grateful to the Lord above for a generous harvest. As always, it was educational and I will provide you with what I learned or didn't learn.

This year's test rifle was the re-barreled AR-15 based on the "What-Would-Stoner-Do" concept. This rifle is several years old having been initially completed in 2021. Using a KP-15 lower receiver, I implemented a piecemealed upper receiver setup with mostly inexpensive, budget-friendly parts. The most expensive part (other than the suppressor) is the Lancer carbon fiber handguard. The original build was meant to replace my 1970's era Winchester 94 with a platform that was ballistically similar while being able to accommodate modern accessories such as a suppressor and scope. The semi-auto function is merely a bonus. The system's intrusive sound pollution is substantially reduced by a Dead Air Primal .46 caliber suppressor with Keymo quick detach features. At the time, all I had was a Primary Arms Classic 3-9x scope in a lightweight Monstrum mount from Amazon. Not what I call premium but it works for now.

Completed zeroing just a few days before season opening.

Initially, the rifle was configured for 350 Legend but due to what were likely ammunition or magazine induced issues, the rifle was not mechanically reliable. I chose to bail on the 350 Legend barrel and switch to an Anderson Manufacturing .300 Blackout barrel. Eventually zeroed with the Barnes VOR-TX 120 grain solid copper factory loading at 50 yards, this configuration proved to be useful for providing food for my growing family. 

The day of the hunt was very much a gift. The new 10 ft stand had been in the budget and on sale. The installation had been sweaty but worth the effort in the 94 degree F heat. The view is commanding.

The weather had swung from mid-80's to the 60's during the days with the evenings dropping into the 40's. A cold front had rolled in from the North just the evening before opening day. A great blessing.

With that front came higher winds; 14 to 15 mph gusts. Thankfully, the wind was blowing from Northwest to Southeast. That created a wonderful condition where I wouldn't be winded until the deer were well into the field I was hunting. While high 40's is not what I call cold, the wind will take warmth from you. Having heavy bibs and a warm Ridgecut jacket from Tractor Supply was very welcome. That, a neck gaiter and good gloves made my morning comfortable.

The morning started well too, having managed to be somewhat fed, appropriately caffeinated and read a chapter of Romans. I was in place around 6:30 AM and enjoying the first of this year's Deer Season Audiobook Club; The Hobbit.

Before the light had filled the open space, around the top of the hour, I noticed a dark blob moving silently. They had snuck in right in front of me. Right where the wind was blowing my scent. My elevation was a huge benefit but they could still see me. While I didn't move, what turned out to be 3 deer, opted to move along down the driveway heading into the wind. That never gets old and is always good fun.

I needed to keep an eye on the time as I had agreed to assist with a volunteer group called Square Foot Ministries. We were to assemble interior framing being laid out in our church's parking lot. Those frames were for a new house they were constructing for a family in Cordele. They were to get started around 09:00 AM.

As the sun crept up and my view becoming more illuminated, I was treated to the sound of another hunter's loud signature. Hopefully, they were doing better. At least I was enjoying Bilbo trying to ward off three trolls.

At just around 08:15 AM, I heard a crunch down to my left. I slowly panned to look. A doe was walking in. I waited until she was behind a bush to maneuver my rifle into position.

I took a moment to observe her and the two trailers coming in behind her. The lead doe was the largest. I began lining up my shot but she was warry of me having spotted me. Seems like I need a blind or to move my stand back into the tree line. She started to turn away toward the property line just some 60 yards away. That wouldn't do.

I opted to take a quartering-away shot. When I pressed the trigger, she took to a trot heading away. Remembering that I have an auto-loader, I opted to break a second shot. I was very grateful for the low recoil impulse and being able to stay in the glass to track. Thankfully, she dropped before making it to the property line.

I wouldn't call either shot exceptional. The placement of the first round entered too far left at the right rear leg. When I walked up, I found that she had not expired. I wasn't willing to force her to be patient for her end, so I placed an 200 grain Gold Dot loaded by Underwood from my 1911 into the vital zone to end her suffering. Not something I am happy about but was relieved to know that it was very effective. I did recover the Gold Dot (it expanded amazingly) but did not recover the Barne's bullets. I would have needed to process the critter down to do that.

I drug the deer to the edge of the field so that I could put her into the cargo carrier I use for our current small SUV. I had paused thinking over that I should at least gut the deer and see if I can locate either of the rifle bullets. Running out of time and wishing to keep my commitment, I left. Shortly after, I delivered her to a well-respected processor. This meat will now feed my wife, toddler and soon-to-be-born baby girl (via nursing of course).

I would love to spend more time trying for another deer, preferably with a broadside shot this time. However, our newborn should be here very soon and we have been meal prepping for a while now. Our freezers are packed.

Ultimately disheartened by the shot placement, my experience with this rifle and ammunition has so far been positive. I look forward to continued testing and a long term evaluation. I already have a few ideas on what can be improved during the off-season. Stay tuned for the post-season wrap up.

Heritage Roscoe - Now In .32 H&R Magnum

 About the time I started getting into revolvers and later learning about .32 calibers, Heritage released the Roscoe. It's a basic, classically styled double action revolver. Originally offered in .38 Special, I had been interested in a .32 version.

Turns out they have delivered. Being available in a 2 and 3 inch version, you can now enjoy either .38 Special or .32 H&R Magnum. 

I already have a Taurus 85 in .38 Special but I would like to add a 3 inch Roscoe in .32 H&R to my inventory. I mostly want it for light duty use around the property. I'm thinking rodent dispatching.

Deer Season 2026 Reading List - What's In Your Ear?

 It occurred to me on a walk that I should start a reading list, well, at least an audiobook list. Over the last several deer seasons, I consistently have had an audiobook in my ear while hunting. Generally, I had a pair of simple Bluetooth earbuds but one year, my wife gifted me a set of Caldwell E-Max Shadow earbuds. These offer similar capabilities to my over-the-ear Howard Leight and Walkers with ambient amplification but integrate Bluetooth functionalities into an earbud type platform. I have had them for many years and they are my primary form of ear protection for farm work and hunting. I recommend picking up a pair or something similar.

While in the wetlands and deer stands of Georgia, I have listened to a variety of audiobooks. Most of the time, they are some genre of fiction. My previous deer seasons have had Jack Ryan/Jack Ryan Jr., the Witcher, Monster Hunters Inc, Expeditionary Force, Bobi-verse, James Bond and James Reece book series but this year, I have added a few others. My current audiobook count is around 140. Podcasts make for a good listen as well. Pints with Aquinas, Live Free and several hunting podcasts including Ron Spomer's work and Outdoor Life.

Tomorrow is opening day for rifle season and I'll be listening to the Lord of the Ring's books. I have the movies, including the extended editions, and would annually, have a weekend marathon watching the three extended editions back-to-back. One year, we turned it into a church group night with several folks from our group from Church of the Apostles. It's probably best to start with The Hobbit since it's been a while. 

The prompting for Tolkien's works being included was a realization that I had never read beyond the The Hobbit but then also that during a recent interview between Matt Fradd and Malcolm Guite, there is an exceptional allegory between the series and the events of the bible. I should also add The Chronicles of Narnia. I suspect that should be next season.

The only thing missing is a pipe full of Old Toby or Sir Walter Raleigh.

Court News - Cato Institute Files Amicus Brief on Home Distilling Case - John Ream v U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

 Today, I learned that there is a court case moving through the federal courts to try to overturn a law from the 1860's that banned home distilling. 

I'm not a drinker and I don't much like the tase of hard spirits to begin with. That said, I think we should be free to make our own whiskey and shine. I had been talking with a friend at work about brewing beer from homegrown ingredients and that turned to stills. I had thought you could distill if under a certain amount but apparently that isn't the case per a government website.

I found the Cato post in a search that came up. Additional research found an additional case from the Fifth Circuit saying the law was unconstitutional.

It's good to see that we are, at least to some extent, clawing back someone what freedoms we have lost over these 250 years.

Link to Cato's brief