I am building a Mega MATEN. The gun is being built because of my experiences with my 18" OBR. I like my OBR and it's a very capable gun. However, with my can attached and the big scope on it, it's a pig that is NOT fun to carry while hunting. I really enjoy hunting with a semi-auto .308 that is suppressed, so I don't want to go back to a bolt gun for Deer/pigs.
I shoot 3-gun also, and the OBR is a bit heavy for that as well.
So, I am planning on building the MATEN and am acquiring parts to do so. I'm about 75% there.
The foundation of this build is a Rainier Arms Select 16" .308 barrel that I already have. I will shoot this gun suppressed MOST of the time if not all of the time. My question is this: Should I chop the barrel to 14.5" to save length and a small amount of weight or should I leave it at 16"? What is the actual MV difference? (I've found that it's around 60 or so fps?) Should I keep it at 16" and if so, why. Other than the extra cost to have it chopped and pinned I'm not seeing a lot of negatives.
The average shots that I have found while hunting are less than 300yds. Longest shot I took in 2012 was on a nice buck at 249yds ranged. 3-gun I have made shots out to 500, but I don't think that will be a problem. (and that would have a different optic setup specifically for that)
The gun will have a CMC 3.5lb trigger, Magpul ACS stock, 13" rail, and will be topped most likely with a Vortex 2.5-10x32 as it will fit the bill mostly. (though, I'd like something with a better objective with a similar weight, and would be open to suggestions on this as well)
I shoot 3-gun also, and the OBR is a bit heavy for that as well.
So, I am planning on building the MATEN and am acquiring parts to do so. I'm about 75% there.
The foundation of this build is a Rainier Arms Select 16" .308 barrel that I already have. I will shoot this gun suppressed MOST of the time if not all of the time. My question is this: Should I chop the barrel to 14.5" to save length and a small amount of weight or should I leave it at 16"? What is the actual MV difference? (I've found that it's around 60 or so fps?) Should I keep it at 16" and if so, why. Other than the extra cost to have it chopped and pinned I'm not seeing a lot of negatives.
The average shots that I have found while hunting are less than 300yds. Longest shot I took in 2012 was on a nice buck at 249yds ranged. 3-gun I have made shots out to 500, but I don't think that will be a problem. (and that would have a different optic setup specifically for that)
The gun will have a CMC 3.5lb trigger, Magpul ACS stock, 13" rail, and will be topped most likely with a Vortex 2.5-10x32 as it will fit the bill mostly. (though, I'd like something with a better objective with a similar weight, and would be open to suggestions on this as well)
