Re: Shortest barrel length I can get away with on .308
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Scooter-PIE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
If you want an easier handling rifle, why not look at a lighter barrel profile and lighter stock? </div></div>
Why not a lighter barrel profile? Less accurate
Why not a lighter stock? Less recoil absorption
Why a short barrel? Because it performs exactly the same as a long barrel, except that it is shorter and lighter.
With a lighter barrel profile, balance might come in to play, but with a bull barrel, an 18" barrel should be pretty well balanced.
I know that years of superstition have played into the idea that you need 24" or 26" for velocity or accuracy. This might actually be true for some calibers (read the article I posted from the Shooting Times). For .308, it has been proven by pretty much everyone who has bothered to try it that you lose nothing down to 20" and probably don't lose much down to 18".
If you are looking to shed weight and keep accuracy, shortening is better than fluting (according to Varmint Al, who has run some mechanical engineering simulations). It is really a waste to flute a 26" barrel... much better to shave off 6". A lighter profile? Same answer... less stiff barrel = less accuracy.
I can't speak to the muzzle blast issue, but most reports that I have heard say no difference. It is not something I really care about, so I haven't looked into it as deeply as the impact on MV and accuracy.
