Thread: small new build thoughts....

Definitely not too short. Seriously any 6.5mm to 308 calibre cartridge based on the 308 win will kill anything in NZ to as far as you have business shooting. A 147 eld m only needs to be going 2500fps to have 1000ftlbs at 600 yards. A 162 eld m only needs to be going 2425fps to do the same. A 168 eld m needs 2575. All of those velocities are easily achieved in 20 inch barrels by the 6.5 Creed, 7mm08, or 308. Most of those speeds are doable in 16 inch barrelled versions. All of those distances are based on being at sea level add about 1000m of elevation and you can add about 100yards extra effective as wiggle room. Just need to know your reload. I'd say you should be able to push 700 plus with a 20 inch barrel in any of the above. My 7mm08 load in my 20 inch kimber has 1200ftlb and is going 1800fps at 700 yards at sea level and I can load it up with another powder for about another 150fps easily but chose accuracy and temp stability over speed. That's further than I will ever shoot.