.308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

[AyeGuy]

I'm new to the long range shooting scene; I have a Ruger M77VLE which I bought before I did any research. I used it in a 1000 yard long Range Tactical match, and did okay, but the rifle seems overly long to me with its 26" barrel. What is the shortest I can have it cut down to and still get hits at 1000 yards?

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: .308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

This should be a sticky

 

[oneswithfunes]

Re: .308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

Search search search....

 

[AshesToAshes]

Re: .308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

http://www.tacticaloperations.com/swatapril2000/index.html

 

[Scotts556]

Re: .308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

Ther are guys on here that run 18 inche tubes that they say go out to 1000 yards with.

scott

 

[ORD]

Re: .308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

Good grief!!! How often does this come up?!?! The search function (or the Google alternative) should be your friend. Run a search on barrel length 308 or any other combination of similar terms and you should have a few hours worth of good reading material.

Short answer...with the right ammo, shooter, etc., an 18" to 18.5" with an appropriate twist to match the ammo you are shooting will reach 1,000yds accurately.

IIRC, the MkII VLE has a 1:12 twist. With the barrel chopped to 18" or so, you are likely going to be stuck with the 155gr Scenars and similar bullets to get out to 1,000. A short, 1:12 twist barrel may not stabilize the 175gr SMKs and similar bullets and the 168gr loads won't cut it period.

 

[exedotbat]

Re: .308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

When you cut down a barrel does it effect the twist at all? I understand that the twist rate will determine the ammo you use, but lets say I am using 168gr ammo, and I cut my barrel down, and I going to want to change the weight ammo? I don't mean to Hijack

 

[Red_SC]

Re: .308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

The twist in a rifle is expressed as a certain number of inches per full revolution; most factory rifles have a 1/12 twist, meaning that it does a complete revolution every twelve inches. The barrel length doesn't affect the rate of twist, and you won't be changing the velocity enough to change which bullets work with that twist.

 

[Rob01]

Re: .308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

A Prius will finish the Daytona 500 but it doesn't mean it's the best car for the job.

 

[scottishtornado]

Re: .308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A Prius will finish the Daytona 500 but it doesn't mean it's the best car for the job. </div></div>

Only if its a fuel economy test...lol

 

[rrflyer]

Re: .308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: exedotbat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When you cut down a barrel does it effect the twist at all? I understand that the twist rate will determine the ammo you use, but lets say I am using 168gr ammo, and I cut my barrel down, and I going to want to change the weight ammo? I don't mean to Hijack </div></div>

If you're using 168 gn ammo trying to get to 1,000 you've failed before you started.

 

[exedotbat]

Re: .308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rrflyer</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: exedotbat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When you cut down a barrel does it effect the twist at all? I understand that the twist rate will determine the ammo you use, but lets say I am using 168gr ammo, and I cut my barrel down, and I going to want to change the weight ammo? I don't mean to Hijack </div></div>

If you're using 168 gn ammo trying to get to 1,000 you've failed before you started. </div></div>

Im not trying to get out to 1,000, my range is only 300, but could you expand on your response. Just trying to learn more.

 

[oneswithfunes]

Re: .308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

The 168 smk has a rep for tumbling when it goes transonic and because of the .bc it is hard to get it to 1000 with out passing that mark. There are better bullets for .308 and long range.

 

[Red_SC]

Re: .308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

Do some reading on the 175 and 155 grain bullets in the .308.

 

[KUSA]

Re: .308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good grief!!! How often does this come up?!?! The search function (or the Google alternative) should be your friend. Run a search on barrel length 308 or any other combination of similar terms and you should have a few hours worth of good reading material. </div></div>

Good grief if it bothers you why do you open the thread?

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: .308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: exedotbat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Im not trying to get out to 1,000, my range is only 300, but could you expand on your response. Just trying to learn more. </div></div>

The 168 SMK will usually go transonic and tumble before 1000 yards. At 400' ASL when launched at 2600-2700fps they were going sideways between 900 and 1000 yards from both 26" and 20" barrels with the same lot of Federal Gold Metal Match.

Now this doesn't mean it can't hit or kill at 1000 because it can. It's just not as consistent as 155gr Scenars or 175gr SMK.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: .308: minimum barrel length for 1000 yards

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AyeGuy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.......but the rifle seems overly long to me with its 26" barrel.</div></div>

What kind of 1000 yards shooting are you doing that's causing the 26" barrel to be unwieldy? My duty rifle is 26" and while it's not optimal for patrolling or urban use it's definitely not a hindrance on the long range firing line.