Stokesrjsr
Well-Known Member
like all things rifle, it depends upon your objective. I personally use a .308 because it is less sensitive to shortening the barrel than most calibers and use IMR8208XBR powder because it performs really well with short barrels and I use 168 grain bullets, either Hornady ELD-M or Sierra TMK or Berger Classic Hunter. With these I can achieve 2650 fps, .5 MOA and have killed many kinds of deer without incident out to 800 yards. This is from a 16.25" barrel with a TBA Ultra 7". So my total barrel is similar to a 22" sporter, actually lighter because the titanium can weighs less per inch than the barrel steel.
I still use full length barrels when warranted, like my 26" 30-378 with an additional 2" brake, both to gain velocity but also because you can't shorten a barrel firing 117 grains of powder short enough to be handy without blowing the suppressor.
I wind up using the short 308 for most situations and reserve the big gun for when I suspect the shots will be across canyons and to taxing on wind calls for the longer flight time of the 308.
I still use full length barrels when warranted, like my 26" 30-378 with an additional 2" brake, both to gain velocity but also because you can't shorten a barrel firing 117 grains of powder short enough to be handy without blowing the suppressor.
I wind up using the short 308 for most situations and reserve the big gun for when I suspect the shots will be across canyons and to taxing on wind calls for the longer flight time of the 308.
