308 Action Choice

[Tiny Tim]

Looking to build a relatively lightweight 308 Winchester for woods and out to about 300 yards. Probably 18-20" barrel and 160-175 class bullets. I will use a bdl style bottom metal. I have narrowed it down to either the Bighorn Origin or BAT Igniter SA.

My question is am I sacrificing anything with the Origin mag length as compared to the Igniter, which is already cut for a Wyatt's extended box?

 

[Shane Lindsey]

Do the extended mag cut. You won't regret it. Leaves options ope. I have a Rem 700 that I had cut for a Baney box. Trying to seat, I needed it. 2.8" works, but is limiting in my opinion.

20" barrel
Nosler (seemed to be forgiving with jump)
168gr Custom Comp 2.8" COAL
168gr Ballistic Tip 2.874" COAL to lands shot at 2.8"

Berger
175gr VLDH 2.925" to lands and shot it there, but gave up on this as it just sucked in this barrel at all seating depths I tried.
180gr EH 2.993" to lands and shot at 2.967" (very good for this rifle, not fast, but not terrible and BC is good).

Hornady
178gr ELDX shot at 2.795" COAL

Hammer
152gr Hammer Hunter 2.869" to lands shot at 2.830"
166gr Hammer Hunter 2.987" to lands and shot at 2.930"
135gr Power Hammer 2.845" to lands and shot at 2.815". This is the current hunting load suppressed at 3124 FPS.

Hope this helps. Not sure I would do another short, CF barrel on this 308. I am thinking more 22-24" heavy contour for the things that may come...

 

[Tiny Tim]

Do the extended mag cut. You won't regret it. Leaves options ope. I have a Rem 700 that I had cut for a Baney box. Trying to seat, I needed it. 2.8" works, but is limiting in my opinion.

20" barrel
Nosler (seemed to be forgiving with jump)
168gr Custom Comp 2.8" COAL
168gr Ballistic Tip 2.874" COAL to lands shot at 2.8"

Berger
175gr VLDH 2.925" to lands and shot it there, but gave up on this as it just sucked in this barrel at all seating depths I tried.
180gr EH 2.993" to lands and shot at 2.967" (very good for this rifle, not fast, but not terrible and BC is good).

Hornady
178gr ELDX shot at 2.795" COAL

Hammer
152gr Hammer Hunter 2.869" to lands shot at 2.830"
166gr Hammer Hunter 2.987" to lands and shot at 2.930"
135gr Power Hammer 2.845" to lands and shot at 2.815". This is the current hunting load suppressed at 3124 FPS.

Hope this helps. Not sure I would do another short, CF barrel on this 308. I am thinking more 22-24" heavy contour for the things that may come...

What twist barrel do you have?

 

[Shane Lindsey]

10.25. ordered a 10 and when I punch it, it is 10.25. Only figured it out as it would not stabilize the 181 Hammers, bullets impacting sideways.

 

[Tiny Tim]

10.25. ordered a 10 and when I punch it, it is 10.25. Only figured it out as it would not stabilize the 181 Hammers, bullets impacting sideways.

Was thinking the same (10tw). Sounds like your confirming my thought. 308 has never been known for powder space. Seems like almost anything over 150gr starts to crowd the powder space in standard SA length. Thanks for the responses.