26 or 20

PhOnEpHrEaK

PhOnEpHrEaK

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 2, 2006
526
89
34
Salem, Ohio
#1
Alright, next week I'm going to pick up and Remington SPS Tac, or Varmint in .308. But i can't decide which to go with. The stock will be gone within a month so that isn't an issue, the barrel will eventually be changed as well but that is long long down the road.

So which one would be better to go with?
 
#4
Re: 26 or 20

I bought the varmint, and still ended up getting a diffrent stock, because the factory varmint stock is 100% junk, and cutting the barrel down. The only differnece between the 2 is about 2 months on waiting on all the parts coming in and having to wait on the barrel to be cut. I could have started out with the tactical and shot fom day 1. I'm still happy with the varmint purchase and all i've done. Hope this helps.
 
#13
Re: 26 or 20

Between those two I'd go 20". I had both guns and the 26" was just under moa and the 20" is capable of under 1/2 occasionally. The remington SPS Tactical AAC-SD would be my first choice.
 
#15
Re: 26 or 20

One more vote for nothing longer than 20". Unless you are just in to needlessly long barrels, issues toting around an extra 6" of barrel length (and OAL of the rifle) and the weight that goes with it, and really having nothing more to show for it at the end of the day...then you don't need a 26" barrel.
 
#16
Re: 26 or 20

I've had long and short barrels and prefer a shorter barrel.. 22" is my favorite followed by 20" then 24". All non-magnum calibers of course.
 
#17
Re: 26 or 20

I think it's funny how many people on here like the "20",but in reality the Military bolt-rifle shooter' Always use a minimal 24"(USMC M40a1,2,3,etc. and M24 sws)barrel and the top BR guys go longer than 24" typically....Just food for thought...Are you guys seeing something they're not?Military sharp shooters Do have to carry their "heavy" rifle out on deployment also,trust me,I know..Goodshootin'

~Reagan
 
#18
Re: 26 or 20

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Widowmaker0001</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think it's funny how many people on here like the "20",but in reality the Military bolt-rifle shooter' Always use a minimal 24"(USMC M40a1,2,3,etc. and M24 sws)barrel and the top BR guys go longer than 24" typically....Just food for thought...Are you guys seeing something they're not?Military sharp shooters Do have to carry their "heavy" rifle out on deployment also,trust me,I know..Goodshootin'

~Reagan</div></div>
Military shooters need the extra velocity. They are actually killing people (some wearing body armor maybe) where most of us civilians hopefully aren't. I don't need a 24" barrel (although it is the longest I would go and wouldn't mind it if I did have one) but someone who needs all they can get for extended range engagements will need it. Plus our troops already carry a ton of extra weight from equipment alone. Anyone who makes it to any form of a sniper position in our military is certainly no whimp either. Considering that, I'm sure they can handle an extra couple of pounds on their rifle.

In relation to benchrest shooters and frickin' ridiculously long barrels, I think they are just trying to get the most velocity possible for the best ballistic coefficients and the least amount of drop they can get out of the round they are shooting. And I would also not hesitate to state my opinion that they still use those tremendously long barrels because they haven't been proven against either. So if there's no wrong in using the longer barrel, and everyone else on the line is using them, why change something that works? Plus they add alot of weight to the rifle which equals less felt recoil. I know if I ever made a transition to benchrest type shooting (I hate some comp types because less skill is required and it's usually just a race for whoever has the best equipment and skill can be set at a minimum because of this... so I would love to get into something like Palma, which isn't benchrest but rather shot prone, where rests are illegal) that I would be the odd guy on the line with a short barrel. Obviously I wouldn't shoot Palma with a short barrel for sight radius reasons but something else where optics is allowed.


These are just my OPINIONS though, ducking from flames now.

-Dylan
 
#19
Re: 26 or 20

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TerrorInTheShadows</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Widowmaker0001</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think it's funny how many people on here like the "20",but in reality the Military bolt-rifle shooter' Always use a minimal 24"(USMC M40a1,2,3,etc. and M24 sws)barrel and the top BR guys go longer than 24" typically....Just food for thought...Are you guys seeing something they're not?Military sharp shooters Do have to carry their "heavy" rifle out on deployment also,trust me,I know..Goodshootin'

~Reagan</div></div>
Military shooters need the extra velocity. They are actually killing people (some wearing body armor maybe) where most of us civilians hopefully aren't. I don't need a 24" barrel (although it is the longest I would go and wouldn't mind it if I did have one) but someone who needs all they can get for extended range engagements will need it. Plus our troops already carry a ton of extra weight from equipment alone. Anyone who makes it to any form of a sniper position in our military is certainly no whimp either. Considering that, I'm sure they can handle an extra couple of pounds on their rifle.

In relation to benchrest shooters and frickin' ridiculously long barrels, I think they are just trying to get the most velocity possible for the best ballistic coefficients and the least amount of drop they can get out of the round they are shooting. And I would also not hesitate to state my opinion that they still use those tremendously long barrels because they haven't been proven against either. So if there's no wrong in using the longer barrel, and everyone else on the line is using them, why change something that works? Plus they add alot of weight to the rifle which equals less felt recoil. I know if I ever made a transition to benchrest type shooting (I hate some comp types because less skill is required and it's usually just a race for whoever has the best equipment and skill can be set at a minimum because of this... so I would love to get into something like Palma, which isn't benchrest but rather shot prone, where rests are illegal) that I would be the odd guy on the line with a short barrel. Obviously I wouldn't shoot Palma with a short barrel for sight radius reasons but something else where optics is allowed.


These are just my OPINIONS though, ducking from flames now.

-Dylan </div></div>

Here come the Flames!! J/Kiddin' Dylan..I hear you,I just wanted to throw out that shorter isn't always better,but I'd say longer isn't either.Choose what fits Your personal criteria.Just my .02cents,Goodshootin'

~Reagan
 
#20
Re: 26 or 20

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PhOnEpHrEaK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So which one would be better to go with? </div></div>

How far will you be shooting it on a regular basis?

What will your primary purpose be?

I have both the 26" varmint and the 20" tactical. I am getting 2550fps w/ 175's and 2725fps w/ 155's with the tactical.

If the weather around here holds I intend to crono my newest 155 load for the 26" varmint this week and just for curiosity sake I will run the load through the tactical and my 175 tactical load through the varmint...
wink.gif
I suspect there won’t be much more than 50-75fps with the 175's but I believe based on my load testing that the difference with the 155 will be a bit more substantial.

I haven’t been to my 1k range in a couple months due to my crazy work schedule training new staff. But last time out I had the tactical running with ease out to 800 w/ 175 & 155 (a-max and lapua scenar's). Beyond that it got interesting... it was hit and miss with the 155 a-max, the lapua's and 175 smk's did better but there was a big difference when I switched to my rock creek 21" 308, with that I get a little more than 150 fps faster with the 155's and 120 fps with the 175 smk's. Ya just got to love premium barrels and match chambers.
grin.gif


So I guess what I'm saying is if you do a lot of 1k shooting you may wish for those extra 6 inches. Hunting I don’t see a reason to need the extra 6" as you won’t be shooting far enough that it will really matter. 800 on in on targets I'd go tactical any day of the week, its just far more convenient to carry around hunting, and in and out of range bags, cars, safe's, etc.

As for stocks I have had both in a manners T-4, McMillan A-5 and now a hs precision PSS style stock for the tactical but it may be moving into a B & C light tactical soon... The varmint is in a McCrees at the moment (side note, this thing really does shrink your groups, my hand loves the improved grip angle and I think groups have improved due to a more consistent trigger finger and hand position with it). In all of those the tactical rifle balances out much better than the 26" does.

I'll update ya when the crono results are in.
 
#22
Re: 26 or 20

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Widowmaker0001</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here come the Flames!! J/Kiddin' Dylan..I hear you,I just wanted to throw out that shorter isn't always better,but I'd say longer isn't either.<span style="color: #CC0000">Choose what fits Your personal criteria.</span>Just my .02cents,Goodshootin'

~Reagan</div></div>
Bingo
 
#23
Re: 26 or 20

getting ready to re barrel my rem pss in 308 with a Schneider m40 barrel. been racking my brain on the length, but i thing i will go with a 20 inch. by the way how is the length measured on a 700?
 
#24
Re: 26 or 20

My suggestion is, if you don't NEED the shorter barrel, then get the longer one.

If you don't know which one to get, get the longer one.

It's easy to cut down a long barrel. It's pretty impossible to cut a shorter barrel to a longer length.

There is no massive weight difference between 20 and 26. There is little difference in portability unless you are in thick brush or an urban environment. I have threaded my way through boiler rooms with a 26" Remington. In fact the only real reason I went with a 20" barrel on my AE MkII is that I wanted the factory threading and brake and I was tired of having to get the biggest rental car available to fit a Pelican 1750.

My M700 is a 26" barrel. I won't be cutting it down anytime soon. In fact it will probably get a 6.5CM barrel when that time comes. That will be a long barrel as well.
 
#25
Re: 26 or 20

i have the 700 sps varmint and it has the 20" barrel, i've had it out to 800 yds, and had good results. Put 2 shots 1 3/4" apart at 700 yads, probably pure luck, but it did it. it left the factory stock the day after i got it, cant complain for a gun under 600$ and getting a 75$ rebate right now.
 
#27
Re: 26 or 20

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oldolds442</div><div class="ubbcode-body">getting ready to re barrel my rem pss in 308 with a Schneider m40 barrel. been racking my brain on the length, but i thing i will go with a 20 inch. by the way how is the length measured on a 700? </div></div>

Typically it's from the recoil lug forward,some measure form the action though..
~R
 
#28
Re: 26 or 20

I had the same dilema, but ended up purchasing the M700 Varmint Fluted Stainless .308 w/26" barrel. I was impressed how butter smooth the stainless action was compared to my SPS varmint actions. I sold the stock and factory trigger and installed in an AICS.

The 26" tube definetely burns Varget more efficiently and the fluted barrel saves some weight...just put the pictured rig on my UPS scales (w/o bipod) and read 13.5#. I had considered cutting it to 22" and having it threaded, but it doesn't have enough recoil to require a brake. I can see my hits thru the scope even at 25X.

DSC02664.jpg

 
#29
Re: 26 or 20

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigBore56</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...just put the pictured rig on my UPS scales and read 13.5#.
</div></div>

Check your scale....

Rem 700 SA = 2.25 LBS
Factory Rem 700 fluted 26" barrel cal .308 = 4.7 lbs
AICS 2.0 SA Stock = 5.95 Lbs
Versa POD for AI's = 1.04 Lbs.

Total 13.94 Lbs

I can't tell what Scope, Bases, and Rings you've got on there, but I would expect that your true total is somewhere north of 15.5 Lbs, not 13.5 lbs.
 
#30
Re: 26 or 20

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigBore56</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...just put the pictured rig on my UPS scales and read 13.5#.
</div></div>

Check your scale....

Rem 700 SA = 2.25 LBS
Factory Rem 700 fluted 26" barrel cal .308 = 4.7 lbs
AICS 2.0 SA Stock = 5.95 Lbs
Versa POD for AI's = 1.04 Lbs.

Total 13.94 Lbs

I can't tell what Scope, Bases, and Rings you've got on there, but I would expect that your true total is somewhere north 15.5 Lbs, not 13.5 lbs. </div></div>

I was about to say something sounds fishy.... 13.5lbs for an AICS stock with a barreled action.... something is wrong there
 
#31
Re: 26 or 20

I have one 26" and one 18' .308. The 18" is being built now so I can't comment on performance differences..... but I went with 18" on my second build because I now have a can and my 26" with a 8.5" can is just wayyyyy too long.
 
#32
Re: 26 or 20

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DedicatedShooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have one 26" and one 18' .308. The 18" is being built now so I can't comment on performance differences..... but I went with 18" on my second build because I now have a can and my 26" with a 8.5" can is just wayyyyy too long. </div></div>

I guess if you have a can then yeah,i'd want the shorter barrel,but as far as my civilian use,we aren't allowed cans like some of you lucky guys;)I'm in Ca...

~R
 
#33
Re: 26 or 20

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Widowmaker0001</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oldolds442</div><div class="ubbcode-body">getting ready to re barrel my rem pss in 308 with a Schneider m40 barrel. been racking my brain on the length, but i thing i will go with a 20 inch. by the way how is the length measured on a 700? </div></div>

Typically it's from the recoil lug forward,some measure form the action though..
~R </div></div>

I believe the correct way is to measure from boltface to muzzle, with the action closed.

Insert a rod down the muzzle until it contacts the boltface, mark at the crown, pull it out, and measure.

I've heard that's how the ATF measures a rifle barrel.
 
#34
Re: 26 or 20

Well it's going to be a somewhat M40a3 clone when im done. Meaning it'll eventually have a 25" barrel on it. But the barrel is the last thing I'm buying for it, so basically I was just wondering which would be better to go with to start, weight isn't really an issue as this thing will be a heavy mother at the end of the project anyway.
 
#36
Re: 26 or 20

Crono'd today

Remington SPS Tatical20", 175smk 44.5 varget load @ 2.825oal = 2550, new 155 lapua scenar varget 46.7 load @ 2.825 (developed for the Remington Varmint) = 2750

Remington Varmint 26", same loads as above 175 = 2645 and 155 = 2850

Both rifles are unaltered other than stock's. It will be interesting to see what results lowlight gets with his 36" bartlien test barrel.
 
#37
Re: 26 or 20

I had my Rem 700P cut down to 20". That was enough to get me on 20"x20" steel at 1000 yds with my handloaded 175 SMK's (2650 fps). For a hunting / tactical platform in .308, 20" can suffice. For my 300 wsm long(er) range rig, I will leave the barrel 26". It won't be as handy, but I need the added length.
 
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