Looking for insight on barrel lengths and first rifle

SuperSixTwo

SuperSixTwo

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I'm trying to narrow down what to buy in .308win before I go out and buy a new (or used) rifle. Will mostly be target shooting, and I want to be able to reach out to 500m at some point. But I do plan on hunting with this rifle as well.

I was originally looking into a tried and true Remington 700 build, but most of the rifles I've seen for sale used are 20" barrels, and the local gunshop advised that I might prefer a 24" barrel for hunting and longer range. So I started looking at a Weatherby Vanguard and had the opportunity to shoot a friend's and really found it fit well, and could still get a DBM for it.

If I get a used 700 with a 20" barrel, and I going to find it challenging to make the longer shots later? Or If I get the vanguard, am I going to be limited in aftermarket support?

I'm trying to stay around the $1000 mark.
 
I have a Weatherby Vanguard 308 with the 24 inch barrel and it is a fine rifle. I use it for hunting and it is great. That said the Rem 700 are a nice platform as well and as you say there is a lot of after market support for the 700's. With the 20" barrel you will lose a bit of muzzle velocity compared to the 24" but really it is not all that much. Out to 500 meters I don't think the shorter barrel will cause you any problems if you decide to go that route. Buy the rifle that feels best and shoulders well for you.
Have fun!
 
There is nothing wrong with a 20" barrel and it will surely get you out to 500M no problem.

Buy a Tikka if you can. The aftermarket support is growing and they are a better quality product than the 700s.
 
24” is nice for the range and open space hunting, seeing you’re from BC I assume most of your hunting would be meadows and alpine? I have a 20” on my 700, mostly bought it because I hunt in thicker bush but it’s also a great shooter at the range, you’ll have no problem getting to 500 with it.
 
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Any length 308 barrel will get you to 500 no problem. The longer barrels only come in to effect if you are looking to push it and go for 1000 for the sake of velocity (barrel length doesn't give you accuracy, it gives you velocity). Honestly, if 500 is the farthest you want to go, you could just get some really thick, short barrelled fire breathing monster which you'd be able to navigate the woods with when hunting. I have a 22 inch barrel, and with a middle of the road load of 43.4 grains of varget with 178 Grain bullets gets me over 2600 FPS. If I can keep it supersonic past 1000, an 18 incher will probably get you to 900 *ISH* (AKA way more then 500).

Sure, the wind might push you around a little with the slightly lower velocity, but 500 yards, 10K/h winds is something like 1 mil. It's nothing too daunting. In your shoes, I'd run some numbers, and make sure to have the desired amount of kinetic energy for the distances you think you'll HONESTLY be hunting at and go from there. there is no need for a long unwieldy barrel to hunt, or to just take it out to 500.
 
mustang979 said:
Any length 308 barrel will get you to 500 no problem. The longer barrels only come in to effect if you are looking to push it and go for 1000 for the sake of velocity (barrel length doesn't give you accuracy, it gives you velocity). Honestly, if 500 is the farthest you want to go, you could just get some really thick, short barrelled fire breathing monster which you'd be able to navigate the woods with when hunting. I have a 22 inch barrel, and with a middle of the road load of 43.4 grains of varget with 178 Grain bullets gets me over 2600 FPS. If I can keep it supersonic past 1000, an 18 incher will probably get you to 900 *ISH* (AKA way more then 500).

Sure, the wind might push you around a little with the slightly lower velocity, but 500 yards, 10K/h winds is something like 1 mil. It's nothing too daunting. In your shoes, I'd run some numbers, and make sure to have the desired amount of kinetic energy for the distances you think you'll HONESTLY be hunting at and go from there. there is no need for a long unwieldy barrel to hunt, or to just take it out to 500.
Click to expand...

Mustang is right. Realistically if 500 is the goal a rack tikka would be all you need. That being said, if you may have aspirations to go longer, it's a good idea to plan for it prior to buying (and save yourself having to rebarrel or with a rifle with minimal aftermarket support). Just my 2¢.
 
A 20" barreled .308 is more than adequate for 500m. I made hits in matches with my old 20" out to 1140 yards. It's certainly not ideal but for what you're looking for, it won't make much difference.
 
I cut my Savage 10 Tr ,from 24 to 19.
I lost 67 FPS at 20 inchs.
So not sure if that will effect anything at distance.
But it’s a heavy sucker :)
 
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