Im currently running an 18" barrel and debating on moving up to a 22"/24" barrel. I initially went with 18" because i wasnt interested in having a grossly long barrel. I previously shot 308 in 16" and 18" gas guns so naturally this is what i went with. However, i just recently picked up a 22" 6.5 creedmoor and love it.
Im looking to increase velocity a bit and also want a submoa non factory barrel. Im holding 1moa or less on average with a factory prefit. Anyone else move to a longer barrel after awhile? Ive had it for about 3 years now.
If you want a new barrel and am willing to go longer...... great.
If your thinking velocity gains between an 18" and 22" is enough to justify a new barrel, not so much especially in a 308 and the rule of thumb 25fps per inch is not reliable and even if it was the difference is not enough to bother.
I like the short barrels my self but consider 24" an optimal balance for handling as well as performance regardless of caliber.
+1 for the 24" barrel.Originally Posted by D.ID
24" 1/10 what are you getting for velocity? Im 2480-2591 depending on round. I want to get above 2600.
If you aren't shooting beyond 400 yards then a longer barrel really isn't needed. Just my opinion...especially if you reload.
Speed of bullets is important for two reasons...a flat shooting rifle and proper expansion on game animals at extreme ranges. Bullet drop from a "flat" shooting rifle at 300 or 400 yards is not that different from a rifle shooting 200fps slower. As for hunting...pretty much all bullets will expand properly out to 400 yards that you can but for your 308. Now if you go beyond that...then you may have to be somewhat selective on which bullets to use but even then...with the right bullet you can still tag a deer out to 600 yards with a short barrel.
Last edited by Bigeclipse; 02-12-2015 at 09:19 AM.
I shoot further than 400 with both rifles. I use 168gr for under 600yds and 175gr for over. 6.5cm i use 140gr for the entire length of 1000yds. I want to push my 308 faster though. Not interested in hunting aspect of the round as i only hunt under 482yds due to my other deer stand being at that distance.
I ran a 26" 1/10 with my 308. I ran 178's just under 2700FPS. If you use a 308 for long range work/practice an extra 50-100FPS will make a difference in your hit percentage for sure. I run a 27" barrel with break on my 243 Competition rifle. The only reason I would build with a short barrel would be for a short range brush gun.
Was this factory or aftermarket 26" i need that extra oommph between 900-950 because i seem to be dropping from transsonic at that distance.
It was a McGowen Prefit. Shot everything I put through it 1/2" or better!
Your 26" only gains 75 fps over my 16" 1 in 8 mcgowen.
Sounds like some warmer loads. Factory ammo vs factory ammo i never was able to get that close without having to switch to hand loads. I like to shoot both so i usually only try to compare fps with factory ammo first.
I have not shot factory ammo in years.
Fairly mild load actually but the barrel was allot faster than expected for sure.
Reason#1: Suppressor.
Want to go faster switch to the 6.5 creedmoor. More speed better B.C. and made for long range work.
Its everything the 308 always wanted to be.
Want more yet go 300wsm; )
+1........... on both points.
I already have a 6.5 creedmoor.... i posted earlier about it. I just still like to shoot 308.
Well theres more than just barrel length.
Lighter pills and switching powder can get you fps but if you dont have the barrel length your gonna have a hard time.
I would go 22" or 24" and look at RL15 varget or imr 4064 and a 168 mk or amax. Should be around 2600 there.
Or go lighter Sierra list 165's hitting 2700 in a 26".
Ive been debating switching from 168smk/amax and 175smk/178amax to 155 scenars or some hybrid. Im using imr4064 in my 308 and h4350 in my creedmoor.
Well if you drop in the 150 class you can really get some speed there. Just depends what you want to do I guess
I run 16" and 24", I'm getting just shy of 3000 with Berger 155's and 2450 out of 185's. In the 24"
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