.308 Bush Gun Barrel Lenght Question.

I have a Ruger American Compact in 243 with a 18" barrel. I really like that rifle, mostly because of the weight.
It has quite the bark when you pull the trigger. I don't think a 2" longer barrel would change that.
I also have a 20" barrel BLR and I like the Ruger in the bush better.

David
 
I'm a fan of the 18". My bush riffle is 788 in 308 with an 18.5" barrel and it's a real treat to carry and maneuver in dense brush. I can't imagine something even shorter improving that experience.
 
BlackRam said:
Hard to beat the 20" barrel length that has been proven so handy in the brush on several different makes and models over the past 100+ years...
Such as the Winchester Model 94's, Marlin lever actions, Savage Model 99's, Browning BLR's, etc. as well as many different bolt action carbines and full length stocked models that have been made.

You still get, short, light and handy, well balanced rifle, while not losing more of the 308's velocity and energy by going shorter, burning more of the powder in the barrel vs a larger muzzle blast/flash that will obscure your target in the dark brush and less lighted hunting conditions, which will be made worse on dark targets such as moose or bears, and as mentioned above, more noise closer to you the shooter that will affect your hearing. You will also lighten the rifle and increase felt recoil.
Click to expand...

X2! ...... For handling sake alone, I wouldn't go shorter than 20".

20" is plenty short for your purposes. Shorter than that, the gun gets a bit choppy and certainly loud. I have an 18.5" 760 308 and rarely shoot it anymore.
 
SuperCub said:
X2! ...... For handling sake alone, I wouldn't go shorter than 20".

20" is plenty short for your purposes. Shorter than that, the gun gets a bit choppy and certainly loud. I have an 18.5" 760 308 and rarely shoot it anymore.
Click to expand...
exactly, I have a friend who bought his wife a ruger Hawkeye compact in .308. She fired it once and wouldn't touch it afterward. He ended up trading it in on a blr and she hasn't looked back.
 
I've shot 16.1 & 18.7" Ruger 308's quite a bit. I prefer the 18.7, as it is still quite compact and handy, and gives about 100 fps more velocity
 
TacticalCanuck said:
It should be whatever you shoot best with. Try several out, the results may surprise you. Got a friend who lugs around an almost 10lb gun simply because he is out to do a very specific thing - shoot. And he wants to ensure his shot counts and its the best shot he is able to make. And that best shot is in that 10lb gun. Not one he bought just because it was 2 or 3lbs lighter but his groups open way up with. Of course, he could practice more with the lighter gun, but that is for a different conversation.

Height and physical fitness also apply here. Someone who is 6'6'' will find a 20'' barrel the same as a guy is 5'5'' finds a 16'' barrel (maybe even better) so that plays a role as well.
Click to expand...

Very yes. If an 18" barrel makes a rifle too long to be handy in a space, when I go into that space I'm going to get in my own way more than the gun will. (I'm 5' 14.")
 
Last edited:
SuperCub said:
X2! ...... For handling sake alone, I wouldn't go shorter than 20".

20" is plenty short for your purposes. Shorter than that, the gun gets a bit choppy and certainly loud. I have an 18.5" 760 308 and rarely shoot it anymore.
Click to expand...

I’ve had 18s, 19s, and agree 100% with the 20 inch barrel. 20 is my go to length for my hunting rifles
 
mike t said:
I’ve had 18s, 19s, and agree 100% with the 20 inch barrel. 20 is my go to length for my hunting rifles
Click to expand...

He was not asking for recommendations for his "hunting rifles"... he was asking about barrel lengths for a gun purpose built for bush work... 20" is too short IMO for ALL of your general hunting rifles... standard would be 22", 90% of my rifles are either 22" or 24"... that would be the "go to" length... but for a specific SBR for hunting thick stuff, you would want shorter than that... I would choose 18"... but a good case can be made for 16".
 
A 16 inch Rem 600 Mowhawk in 308 weighs just over 6lbs - pretty nice for a bush gun. Very similar in weight to a Maverick 12 Guage 18.5 inch.
If you're carrying it all day - the lighter the better.
Not all of us can get an ATT for predator protection.
 
I think I have decided to go with the Ruger Predator 18”, with a decent scope it’s well within the budget I want to spend for this specific use firearm for myself.
Thanks for all the advice and input much appreciated!
 
18.5"

I have both 16" & 18.5". I find the 16" more of a "speciality" thing. 18.5" is a bit more all around useful for me.
 
hoytcanon said:
He was not asking for recommendations for his "hunting rifles"... he was asking about barrel lengths for a gun purpose built for bush work... 20" is too short IMO for ALL of your general hunting rifles... standard would be 22", 90% of my rifles are either 22" or 24"... that would be the "go to" length... but for a specific SBR for hunting thick stuff, you would want shorter than that... I would choose 18"... but a good case can

All my hunting is bush hunting, no fields and 100-150 yard shots are quite rare. Most shots are taken within 50 yards. I like the 20s but it is all personal preference
Click to expand...
 
Gatehouse said:
16 GSR for me

49286276_2294974337450165_163413004417761280_n.jpg
Click to expand...

Where did you get that thread protector?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom