What barrel length for 308

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saltbait

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Hey guys,

I am building my first 308 precision bolt action and have chosen a Beven King barrel. It's max length is 28inch with a 1 in 10 twist (1.25 diameter). I am looking to have multiple uses for the rifle...plan on using it for hunting and also for some target shooting. I have watched a few videos from PRS matches and that looks like something that I would want to get into. So with all of these uses in mind, what would be the appropriate length that I should get my barrel cut to.
I cover quite a bit of ground while hunting and my shot ranges are from under 100 yrds to 500yrds+. I will mostly use the rifle to hunt white tail.
At the range I would really like to try to see how far I can stretch out this rifle. I've read a few internet posts/articles on the max range of the 308 and have had ranges all over the place.
Last season I was hunting coyote and white tail with my 6.5 creedmoor bolt. I was comfortable stalking with this rifle and it is not the lightest setup in the world. 25 inch broughton heavy barrel with mcmillan A5 stock.
Right now I am leaning towards a barrel length of between 24-26", but I will let the feedback on here push me either for or against these lengths.
Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks
Ben
 
A barrel in the 24 to 26 inch range will do you well. Plenty of guys shoot to 1000+ out of 20 inch. The extra length will give you a bit of leg up with velocity, but I find anything over 26 can be cumbersome for hunting, especially if you're in the bush at all. Not to mention, a barrel over 26 inch in a 1.25 straight contour will be heavy and likely terribly unbalanced when shooting from anything other than very steady rest, unless the rest of therifle is built to match
 
Thanks for the great advice guys! Leaning towards getting it cut to 24" right now....maybe 24.5"...then maybe 24.56 inch...as you can see I've made a lot of progress decision wise haha. But yes leaning more towards the lower end of the 24-26" lengths.
Here is a picture of my recent 6.5 creedmoor build to help ease your wait gwgm11! I've still yet to decide between a stiller tac30 and surgeon 591 for an action for the 308 build so things might be a while.

The creedmoor specs:
Fluted PTG bolt body duracoated OD green
Broughton spiral fluted barrel cerakoted FDE
Rem 700 receiver cerakoted FDE
AICS mag system
Timney trigger
20 MOA rail
Bushnell Elite 10x40 kryloned Tan
Mcmillan A5 stock
UTG bipod kryloned Tan (mounted with blackhawk swivel stud rail)
I clear coated all the krylon work and it's had amazing durability. I have taken this rifle on numerous hunting trips...both overnight and day. It has seen it's fair share of scrapes, and bumps. I have yet to see the finish on either the scope or bipod start to chip. It does have a few scratches, but so does some of the other finishes.
 
Factory or reloads? And just how far and with what kind of accuracy? Max range for tight groups or tightly wrapped burger and steaks in your freezer?

Avg MV with 41.5gr IMR4895/168hpbt/Norma cases/Fed210/2.800" from a 20" was 2490 fps. 26" AVG was 2557 fps. This charge is around a starting load, a hotter load should see a bigger difference. The point is alot of factory ammo will not see much improvement in velocity past 20". .308 is not a magnum case so longer barrels are not such a big deal for field use. Competition is another world altogether where every edge is an asset. Not too many f class rigs sporting a 20" tube. Another interesting point, a friend has a 16" Mossberg MVP .308 that spits out 168 TTSX at 2550 fps with varget. A cow elk now lives in his freezer because of it.
 
I run a PGW 308 for everything, hunting, PRS, daily shooter, even a little F-class. A 24" barrel will do everything you want it to, if you want to chase speed and get the max out of you 308 I would run a 26", we have seen a 30-35 fps speed jump between the two lengths running the exact same load. On my 24" I am currently running 175 bergers at 2847fps @ 6 degrees C and 3000ft elevation.... Yes 2847fps not a misprint.. And seeing 0.2-0.3 groups regularly. When competing agains a crowd of 6 and 6.5 cal, every bit of speed helps on a 308. As far as length goes for handling I have not noticed any difference and personally try to have all my systems as close to each other as I can due to feel and muscle memory of handling the system in positional situations....a lot of people worry about the ballence of a system, just like they adapt their body and positions to the ballence, myself and many others adapt the position to the system weather it be ballenced or not, just know your system and how to operate with what you have.
 
I would agree with cbh560, 24" is my go to length. Long enough to reach proper velocitys, but short enough for a multi purpose role.
 
saltbait said:
Hey guys,

It's max length is 28inch with a 1 in 10 twist (1.25 diameter). I am looking to have multiple uses for the rifle...plan on using it for hunting and also for some target shooting. I have watched a few videos from PRS matches and that looks like something that I would want to get into. So with all of these uses in mind, what would be the appropriate length that I should get my barrel cut to.


Thanks
Ben
Click to expand...

Do you have access to another barrel or are you committed to the 1.25 dia barrel. I would look for a different contour if at all possible. Failing that i will be the contrarian. I would cut the barrel to 21inch. 21" is more hunter friendly while still being able to get out to 1,000. BUT with as shorter barrel comes more elevation. So if you are hunting out to 500 you will need a range finder and know your come ups.

Getting out to 1,000 shouldn't be too difficult shorter barrels work with heavier bullets. The 10 twist will work and is a good twist.

The other caveat would be you would need a scope with enough adjustments.

If you can get an HV or a Heavy Palma they would be more suitable options.. i still support the idea of a 21" barrel for these contours


All the best
Trevor
Trevor
 
I wouldn't go any longer than 24", and would shoot a lighter bullet like the 155 Hybrid. Being more maneuverable and having an easier time spotting your own shots will usually trump a ballistic advantage in PRS. The top Tactical division shooter at the CORE AI match was shooting a 223 with a 24" barrel. I watched him clean the 840 yard simulated rooftop stage. He is shooting an 80 AMAX at 2900. He was also top Tactical division in the last match he shot. I bet he ends up with 300 PRS points going into the Finale.
 
Depends on the course, if playing in the big winds or long distances the big heavies will win on those occasions, on calmer days with medium ranges a 308 will suffer.
 
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