I have a Rem. 700 SPS Varmint in 308 with a 26" bbl. 1 in 12 twist, with a Witt clamp on brake. I am wanting to go shorter for packing around. This rifle shoots under moa with 155 and 168 grain bullets. Thinking of going 20" with a 2" brake. I'm not really concerned with the 168's, but is this long enough to get the 155's up to speed, or do I need at least 24"? Any input would be appreciated.
308 Barrel Length question.
- Thread starter MONTADO76
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Nomosendero
Well-Known Member
Up to what speed and how far do you want to shoot?
RobertB
Well-Known Member
I have a 26", 2 20"ers, and a 16" The 16" is my favorite because I don't seem to loose a lot of speed and its is really nice that short. Another guy here has one like mine and loves the 155s of anything else. He gets 2775fps from a sierra 155 palma with no pressure signs. I am getting 2550 from southwest ammo 175s which is like 175 fgmm. I get 2650 from my handload with 175s. Longer and shorter both have their place but with a 308 I kept going short and liking it even more. Now with other cartridges I have been doing the same thing and finding big performance differences as I go shorter. THe 308.....not so much. Hope this helps.
BTW, both our bbls are Bartlien 1-10 twist.
BTW, both our bbls are Bartlien 1-10 twist.
BrentM
Well-Known Member
Interesting. I wonder if this would apply to other calibers that share the 308 case. I have been wondering about barrel length for a 243 I want to build for my wife. If this case design is inherently suited to a shorter barrel that would be helpful. Do you happen to have experience with other calibers sharing this case?
MontanaMarine
Well-Known Member
Both my 308s started at 26" Rem varmint barrels. Now 20.5", and 22".
Velocity loss was about 13-15 fps per inch.
Velocity loss was about 13-15 fps per inch.
BrentM
Well-Known Member
Not much of a loss compared to others from what I read. My 204 and 6.5 284 are right around 25 fps per inch.
Nomosendero
Well-Known Member
Here is a good 308 article in general and if you look at the lower part of the article they give velocity data for different length barrels.
.308 Winchester Cartridge Guide Looks like with both loads, going from 26 to 20" was about a 24fps per inch loss in that case.
Here is an article about short barrels but more fitting for someone going 600 or so:
file:///C:/Users/Dell/Desktop/SWAT%20Article%20BARREL%20LENGTH.htm
Yes, the 308 does very well with short tubes, it is a modest case for the bore size. but just looking at getting to 800-1000 yards the extra velocity helps. To each his own but I have a 5R with a 24" & I like a short lite 308 for tree stand/thicket hunting so I bought a RAR and shortened that to 18.5, a cheap rifle that shoots 1/2-3/4" regular, not a 5R but great hunting rifle. 2 Rifles was the best solution for me.
.308 Winchester Cartridge Guide Looks like with both loads, going from 26 to 20" was about a 24fps per inch loss in that case.
Here is an article about short barrels but more fitting for someone going 600 or so:
file:///C:/Users/Dell/Desktop/SWAT%20Article%20BARREL%20LENGTH.htm
Yes, the 308 does very well with short tubes, it is a modest case for the bore size. but just looking at getting to 800-1000 yards the extra velocity helps. To each his own but I have a 5R with a 24" & I like a short lite 308 for tree stand/thicket hunting so I bought a RAR and shortened that to 18.5, a cheap rifle that shoots 1/2-3/4" regular, not a 5R but great hunting rifle. 2 Rifles was the best solution for me.
Canadian Bushman
Well-Known Member
Im with nomosendero
I got a 30" 308 for 1k ftr and im cutting my 26" 308 down to 20" for hunting.
I got a 30" 308 for 1k ftr and im cutting my 26" 308 down to 20" for hunting.
MontanaMarine
Well-Known Member
22" is a good compromise between performance and handling with a 308.
Here's my 22", with a SWFA 12X mil/mil scope.
Moly'd 208 AMax at 2620 fps via 49.0 gr RL-17.
Here's my 22", with a SWFA 12X mil/mil scope.
Moly'd 208 AMax at 2620 fps via 49.0 gr RL-17.
gohring3006
Well-Known Member
Nice rig what are you using as far as paint on that barrel to get it to stick22" is a good compromise between performance and handling with a 308.
Here's my 22", with a SWFA 12X mil/mil scope.
Moly'd 208 AMax at 2620 fps via 49.0 gr RL-17.
MontanaMarine
Well-Known Member
That's Krylon camo.
Before I paint, I spray/wipe/dry with windex or ammonia/water mix to degrease. The paint holds pretty well when the metal is clean.
The barrel itself is a matte finish (700 SPS Varmint) , so that little roughness of the metal surface probably helps hold the paint too.
Before I paint, I spray/wipe/dry with windex or ammonia/water mix to degrease. The paint holds pretty well when the metal is clean.
The barrel itself is a matte finish (700 SPS Varmint) , so that little roughness of the metal surface probably helps hold the paint too.
