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 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