Barrel Upgrade

Ravage

Ravage

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I have a 308 rifle with a 16.5" barrel in a MDT LSS chassis and I was looking to upgrade the barrel on it and get it customized

I am looking for a new barrel for target shooting but i'm not really long range and I want to keep the barrel length at the 16.5" and I shoot nothing bigger then 168 gr

I was looking at something like a Krieger and maybe a heavy varmint profile but looking at the website they get pretty technical and throw out a ton of numbers so looking for some advise on what specs and where I should look for a barrel in Canada

Thanks
 
1-10 twist, would be best.


But honestly, I wouldn't bother unless you want to gain velocity (longer), or save weight (CF barrel).

You wil not gain much from changing the barrel as it currently sits.



Really, unless your priority is to shoot farther, or cut the weight, you won't notice a difference.

If it is just the look you are going for, get the gun refinished or created.


Now, yes you will gain accuracy, with a quality barrel, but.... I have been using a factory remington barrel consistently at under 3/4 MOA, and the biggest issue for me is velocity (as I currently have a 20") as well as weight (I want to go heavier to minimize shooter induced movement).
 
You probably won't find a barrel that short for sale, to be honest. You can get a barrel cut to any length you want though or get the dealer to order you a custom one in from Krieger, or whatever other manufacturer you'd like. As far as contours go, pick whichever one strikes the right compromise for you in regards to how heavy you like vs how long of a string of fire you'd like to be able to do with the barrel remaining consistent (a thicker barrel heats up slower than a thinner one and you can therefore fire longer strings of fire without "flyers"). A quality barrel will definitely be more accurate and consistent than a factory barrel, given consistent handloads or quality match ammo. If you have a Rem 700 you might as well get the action trued up at the same time as you re-barrel. If this is only for target shooting, I'd echo the others who suggested you go with a longer barrel. A 16.5" barrel, especially in .308, is severely handicapped as far as speed goes and that will limit you if ever you decide to stretch it out.
 
I do hand load and I will also be getting the action trued up as well and custom reamed, It will be pretty much a full customization job.

I want to keep the shorter barrel for keeping the gun compact which is why the LSS chassis with collapsible buttstock and I will not be shooting especially long range with it, basically looking to customize myself the most accurate gun for out to 300 yards. I am definitely looking for a heavier barrel for target shooting, fluted maybe not sure about that part tho.

I do see on their website krieger has a #20-Benchrest Short barrel
 
Touch base with JC at jccustombarrels.com. Makes barrels to order. Choice of Cr-Mo or stainless. Twist, # of grooves, flutes, contour to your specs. Canadian made, no border issues. Quality work. I have one of his barrels, set it up in .308W; its a sub-minute shooter. .308, 1-12, 4 groove. Was in his shop yesterday, ordered another, a 1-8 .224, 6 groove.

If you want compact, MDT makes a folding stock adapter for the LSS.
 
LUCK12 said:
Could give ALBERTA TACTICAL RIFLE a call , CANADIAN business close to you and excellent quality / service in all my dealings with them.
Click to expand...

Agreed!
I have had them build several rifles for me and all have exceeded expectations both in accuracy and customer support.
 
Give Gary at Bighorn sales a call he will hook you up. If I were you I would give the 155 grain bullets a try, gain some velocity and are slippery. I run a 28" number 17 contour on my 308 in 11 twist benchmark with the 155 amax (switching to the 155 scenar soon) and it is stupid accurate.
 
I have a benchmark 308 win 24" #3 11 twist and it shoots everything i can throw at it sub moa. They build nice barrels there.
I agree with the guys telling you to go longer, put a 24" barrel on it. If you really can't stand the performance improvement, cut it back.
 
1:12 would be a good twist. That would easily handle up to the 190gr boat tail match bullets.

Personally, I use 1:14 and 1:13

Don't buy a 24" and assume you can cut 4" off it. The muzzle might not be concentric with the outside of the barrel.

I would suggest nothing shorter than 20", so you get less muzzle blast and more velocity.

20" bench rest barrels are not difficult to find.
 
I'm on my 3rd sub 20" barrel on my .308. Nothing wrong with them out to 600m. You will start giving up some hits past that but it is still doable.

When you order one and I do recommend Gary at Bighorn and Benchmark. Specify the length so the blank is appropriate length. General rule is not to cut more then 6" of a blank.

I have had better luck with slightly heavier bullets as you can't push lighter ones fast enough to overcome the deficiency in BC. 170-185's have always worked well for me.
 
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All the work has been done for you, 7.62x51 is probably the most tested caliber around by the US Army.

They came to the conclusion the best combination is M118 match grade ammo with a 168gr bullet, shooting a 24" 1:11.25 twist 5r rifling. It is the barrel specs that is used in the US Army M24 & M110 rifles and British Army's L129A1 rifle.
 
The M118 has been upgraded with the M118LR which is a 175gr MK and lots of the units have switched to semi-autos sporting barrels as short as 16"
 
I have done a few at 16.5 in 10 twist and at 100 m they are still sub .300 on factory 168 FGMM. Slower yes but still can smack clay piegons at 500 and 600 m no problems at all. i know of a few government agencies that have had 12" barrels done on AI folders so they fit in a small duffel bag and are still able to make necessary shots at 500 m.
 
Truing a action and a rebarrel, Sounds like you are going to need a gunsmith. Stop looking at barrels and look for a quality smith. Once you have one, talk to him about what you want. The smith will be able to point you in the right direction. And as far as barrel length goes. Most come as blanks. Not chambered and not cut to length. The smith will do all that. He can cut it to 28" or down to what you want at 16.5".
 
I thought if a barrel came from the factory shorter than 18 inches, it was non-restricted, but if you cut it, or gunsmith and etc, then it becomes restricted?

And basically, the thicker the barrel shank, the better it holds up to heat and resists shifting and whipping from heat. Some contours have thick shank and profile down to like a 0.930 at the muzzle. I prefer the heavy varmint or Palma contours. But it's all a matter of preference
 
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