Short barrel trend

A short barrel rifle has its place, but it doesn’t belong in every place.

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an old classic rifle does not look correct without a more traditional length. 24-26”

But an MP5 with a 20” barrel is not beneficial

Everything is negotiable for me and the target and distance dictates the tool.
 
I don’t understand the recent trend to shorter and shorter rifle barrels. I recently aquired a Howa 1500 in 350 legend with a 16” barrel in a raffle. Now the original short barrel rifle the Mannlicher Schoenauer model 1903 is a beautiful form of the hunkers art. These new half stock short barreled rifles not so much. The shorter barrels do not maximize a cartridges potential and at least for me lessen their pointability making them whippy in the hands. They are handy in a tree stand for sure but I like a bit more barrel for stalking.View attachment 686312
A short barrel is frequently chosen so that the rifle can be mounted transversely on a quad.
 
I don’t understand the recent trend to shorter and shorter rifle barrels. I recently aquired a Howa 1500 in 350 legend with a 16” barrel in a raffle. Now the original short barrel rifle the Mannlicher Schoenauer model 1903 is a beautiful form of the hunkers art. These new half stock short barreled rifles not so much. The shorter barrels do not maximize a cartridges potential and at least for me lessen their pointability making them whippy in the hands. They are handy in a tree stand for sure but I like a bit more barrel for stalking.View attachment 686312
@MS 9x56 - like Womens skirts it seems barrel length on shotguns & now rifles is a “trend” with some “facts” built in: Some powders used with certain cartridges Can achieve effective performance in barrels less then 20”-22”, and also need to make room to add the latest & greatest UNneeded accessory “suppressors”. Shotgun barrel lengths make even less sense for 99% of shooters will not shoot any better or worse with 26” out to 32” barrels - but how can you sell more guns without “creating” a need. I admit that I have also fallen for some “fads” and now like a 30”-32” barrel for Sporting Clays…although my scores w/28” barrel are just as good. But, since I’m Not a Master Class shooter (or even “A” class) I might be beyond help….it’s the Indian, Not the arrow.
 
I prefer shorter barrels on my rifles for a couple of reasons. Besides making the rifles nimbler to handle for off hand shooting, traversing thick terrain & wearing a suppressor…short barreled rifles are just bad ass looking, IMHO!

In addition to that, more efficient cartridges of today’s market are conducive for short barreled rifles. I’m a 300 WSM fanatic & my 19” barreled Win M70 suits me perfectly. It’s a hunting gun, @ 5 pounds with scope & loaded it’s a light carrying & short barreled killing machine.

I use suppressors on short barreled rifles for concussion, recoil & barrel rise reduction. Besides, the game don’t seem to run like hell & scatter for dear life after a sonic boom shot.

The exception, for me, are DG rifles…UNsuppressed 100%. But Short!
I run a 19” 458 B&M, it handles and shoots like a dream.

I think I hate long unwieldy barrels!!!!
But I respect those who love them…

To each its own, good times, horns on the wall and game meat in the bbq.
 
I guess I should have clarified my question. Being a still hunter I have always gravitated to carbine sized rifles and barrels18-22” barrels in lever, pump and bolt actions. I really enjoy the Mannlicher style stocks. I found the Howa M1500 16” barrel to be a detriment to quick target acquisition in offhand shooting. Fine in a tree stand but not so much in still hunting. Never thought of suppressor use as they are not legal in my state. I now understand due to the many helpful individuals on this forum. Thank you all for my illumination.
 
I don't currently use suppressors. But, I do like 20-22" bolt rifles, and lever guns 16-20".
I have a few 24-26" bolt rifles, but extremely rare for me to use one. Were I a long range shooter, or just wanted the velocity boost, I would use the longer barrels.
 

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I’ve been a member since 2015 but haven’t been active since 2017. Life got busy, especially with building my second business. Still, I’ve kept my passion for hunting and followed things from afar. Now that I have more time, I’m excited to reconnect, contribute, and be part of the community again.


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