308 SBR

[Warowl]

I am thinking about 13-14 inch 308 sbr as a good all around rifle. Put a 3-15 type optic on it with a rmr offset. Use the rmr for 100 yards in amd the magnified for out to 700.

Thoughts or insight on this set up? Has anyone done it and learned anything you thought worth sharing? Anyone have pictures of their set up?

 

[Huskydriver]

Holy loud and fireballs of inefficiency batman.... Please tell me for the love of anyone shooting around it you have a suppressor right?

 

[sea2summit]

Consider 6.5G? Probably more energy at 700 than the 308 with a much lighter gun.

 

[Centuriator]

Several thoughts:

You will have a much heavier rifle than if you opted for a 5.56 SBR.
Do you expect engagement distances out to 400 yards?
If you expect to use it in a "real world" scenario, chances are you will be in under 20 yards.
If you expect a situation where you much engage targets past 20 yards, you better have an excellent lawyer or it's a SHTF scenario.

I think a shorter barreled .308 is not in fact the best choice for an "all around rifle" once you put the optic on it, you will have a heavy rifle.

But I do understand your feeling that you'd be more comfortable/and comforted with a .308, not sure however putting in a shorter barrel is the best idea.

 

[FN-Whitney]

If you think it sounds like fun then go for it. The only problem I see is you are not going to get a lot of velocity out of a barrel that short but that can be accounted for so have at it.

 

[GUNNER10]

I am thinking about 13-14 inch 308 sbr as a good all around rifle. Put a 3-15 type optic on it with a rmr offset. Use the rmr for 100 yards in amd the magnified for out to 700.

Thoughts or insight on this set up? Has anyone done it and learned anything you thought worth sharing? Anyone have pictures of their set up?

It all depends on what you want to do with it. I personally really like 308 form shooter barrels, its not the lightest or most efficient cartridge/barrel choice but you know what, its fun.

I would recommend if you do chose a short 308. configure it for the role you are planning on shooting.

mounts are awesome and repeatable, I see little reason on a fun rifle, to perma mount a 2.5 lb optic on a 9lb base rifle. shooting for distance and accuracy, mount the 3-15. banging steel, mount a T1. Take advantage of the platforms modularity. the top picture can play out to 600 banging steel where as the bottom pic can bang steel inside 200 especially if a red dot is mounted in place of the LPVO

 

[benchmstr]

I ran a 12.5” for years...it’s still my favorite hog gun...but, any of my 16” 556 rifles can do the same thing and be lighter.

And if you don’t have a suppressor you can feel your teeth move when you shoot it...not too versatile when you are too scared to cook one off in an enclosed environment

Bench

 

[LeadZeke]

The F4 Defense SF 10 rifles are small frame designs built properly which mitigate the weight/size issues mostly: https://www.f4defense.com/rifles/f4-x/

The question is, what do you need the .308 or 6.5CM rounds to do that the 5.56 isn't already doing? Unless the answer is "kill things beyond 500m" just get a 5.56. The people saying "muh inefficiency" are wrong though, as there are substantial ballistic gains to be had stepping up to large frame. But those go with cost and recoil so unless you can really justify it, it isn't worth it. Whatever you get I'd agree with suppressing it.

 

[SkyScrapin]

Do it. Don’t let the naysayers keep you from building what you want.

 

[Centuriator]

Do it. Don’t let the naysayers keep you from building what you want.

Calm yourself...the guy asked for opinions.

 

[Rancid Coolaid]

I have a sig 716 with 16" barrel and love it. Mine wears an NF2.5-10x42 which is a great fit for what I use the rifle to accomplish. Suppressed, it isn't super-compact or super-quiet, but it does most things inside 400 yards very, very well. It is small enough to move around in the woods and hits hard enough to give me some confidence in its stopping power.

At 700 yards, don't plan on much ass, and never light it off in an enclosed space without a suppressor - or you will have some permanent hearing loss.

All that said, a 16" Grendel would checks lots of boxes, even a 300Blackout running supers at 10" would get most tasks done inside a few hundred yards.

If you really want it, build it; but consider how often it will really get used, and what value it has to you as a safe queen. And how easy it will be to sell, should the want or need arise.

If you do go for it, scope selection needs to be based on several metrics, and weighted by priority.

 

[BurnOut]

At the risk of starting and epic shitstorm, have you considered something like the Desert Tech MDR? 16" barrel, shorter OAL, no NFA involvement...

 

[SkyScrapin]

Calm yourself...the guy asked for opinions.

And he got one from a dude who has what he's after.

 

[Centuriator]

And he got one from a dude who has what he's after.

You do realize a 16" barrel is not a SBR? Right?

Dude has been advised not to go with 13" barrel if he is serious about getting effective hits on target at 700 yards.

Maybe offer up some helpful comments rather than whining.

 

[SkyScrapin]

You do realize a 16" barrel is not a SBR? Right?

Dude has been advised not to go with 13" barrel if he is serious about getting effective hits on target at 700 yards.

Maybe offer up some helpful comments rather than whining.

??‍ Let me guess.. you don’t own an SBR’d 308. We’ll I do, and your suggestions above are baseless.

I’m telling him a 308 SBR is feasible and will be effective at the ranges he’s looking at, granted it’s at the end of what I would call it’s practical range. As a do all rifle, it’s perfect.

11” barrel w/ S&B US here .. it’s more than capable.

 

[Centuriator]

??‍ Let me guess.. you don’t own an SBR’d 308. We’ll I do, and your suggestions above are baseless.

I’m telling him a 308 SBR is feasible and will be effective at the ranges he’s looking at, granted it’s at the end of what I would call it’s practical range. As a do all rifle, it’s perfect.

11” barrel w/ S&B US here .. it’s more than capable.

No, I do not own a .308 SBR, nor would I for the reasons indicated above, by myself and others. As for being a "do all rifle" and "perfect" ... that's just a subjective opinion with little basis in objective fact. Glad you like your rifle though.

The OP asked for opinions about his plans, and he has received them.

You don't have to get all defensive about your choice, that reveals insecurity.

 

[sea2summit]

I have a sig 716 with 16" barrel and love it. Mine wears an NF2.5-10x42 which is a great fit for what I use the rifle to accomplish. Suppressed, it isn't super-compact or super-quiet, but it does most things inside 400 yards very, very well. It is small enough to move around in the woods and hits hard enough to give me some confidence in its stopping power.

At 700 yards, don't plan on much ass, and never light it off in an enclosed space without a suppressor - or you will have some permanent hearing loss.

All that said, a 16" Grendel would checks lots of boxes, even a 300Blackout running supers at 10" would get most tasks done inside a few hundred yards.

If you really want it, build it; but consider how often it will really get used, and what value it has to you as a safe queen. And how easy it will be to sell, should the want or need arise.

If you do go for it, scope selection needs to be based on several metrics, and weighted by priority.

Recently got rid of my last 300 BO. I had very poor results with it on coon, Fox, and yotes with several types of ammo. I really liked the idea but in practice I wasn’t seeing performance.

 

[sea2summit]

??‍ Let me guess.. you don’t own an SBR’d 308. We’ll I do, and your suggestions above are baseless.

I’m telling him a 308 SBR is feasible and will be effective at the ranges he’s looking at, granted it’s at the end of what I would call it’s practical range. As a do all rifle, it’s perfect.

11” barrel w/ S&B US here .. it’s more than capable.

What velocities are you getting with what bullets/loads? Serious question because I’ve wanted the FAL SBR but never figured it was practical ?

 

[SkyScrapin]

No, I do not own a .308 SBR, nor would I for the reasons indicated above, by myself and others. As for being a "do all rifle" and "perfect" ... that's just a subjective opinion with little basis in objective fact. Glad you like your rifle though.

The OP asked for opinions about his plans, and he has received them.

You don't have to get all defensive about your choice, that reveals insecurity.

LOOOL. The only person taking offense is you bud. Couldn’t give a shit what you think, and no one else does either. Get over yourself.

So far as I’m concerned, between you and I, I’m the only one bringing experience backed facts to the table. I might as well name you CNN with all that fake news.

OP- I have an SBR’d 3 oh hate, and it’s effective out to 700yds. It’s okay at 1000, but not ideal. When you castrate any caliber, you’re going to lose velocity and the wind is going to push you around. If the wind is a burden, get a 6 or 6.5. Further, I’d you want to shoot it, come DFW and get some hands on experience fo freeee.

 

[SkyScrapin]

What velocities are you getting with what bullets/loads? Serious question because I’ve wanted the FAL SBR but never figured it was practical ?

Lol, practical. That’s a different subject. Fun and effective, absolutely.

135g SMK @ up too 2750 FPS in all of 11” of barrel with a supressor. Who ever said short 308s are loud knows a thing, even with suppressors. I would not advise shooting it without ear pro.

 

[Centuriator]

LOOOL. The only person taking offense is you bud.

I am not your bud, Preston. All your chest-thumping is not impressive and just makes you look silly.

A number of us disagree with you.

That's ok, why are you so hot and bothered about it?

 

[sea2summit]

Lol, practical. That’s a different subject. Fun and effective, absolutely.

135g SMK @ up too 2750 FPS in all of 11” of barrel with a supressor. Who ever said short 308s are loud knows a thing, even with suppressors. I would not advise shooting it without ear pro.

Impressive. Guess imma have to give it another look.

 

[DRAM40A1]

I built a 12.5” 308 pistol. Mega Maten receiver set and a Bartlein barrel from Craddock Precision. I worked up a 155 AMAX load and then bought a 16” SR 25 and the 12.5 went to the back burner.
It’s loud as shit and fun as hell. You want it build it. Easy as that.

 

[aslrookie]

OP: this is the video you're looking for.

Although I find this forum to be a great resource for most things...questions like this usually show a strong bias that people have. Understandably, this forum is a basis for "precision rifle" shooters and not "reasonable accuracy" rifles. The comments here reflect that. With any given system there are pros and cons. Choosing an all around rifle is not a bad idea especially if your budget is limited to one high quality rifle that you can rely on.

However, all around rifles are jacks of all trades and master at none. It wont be the most precise gun or the lightest SBR you could use. With that considered, your energy on target is significantly higher than a 5.56 SBR whether for hunting or even reading splash at further distance targets. Would I choose a 308 SBR for CQB over a 5.56 SBR? No. Would I chose a 5.56 SBR for targets out to 700 yards and expect consistent hits with good energy? Not so much. So the 308 SBR is filling the niche between the two. Again, mediocre at both.

I think this video falls short in two ways...small targets are shot at closer ranges and large targets at further ranges. It would've been nice to see how small of a target he could hit at the further ranges. Also, little to no wind which makes life significantly easier. Your expectations are within the capabilities of the platform. The thought of using a 13.5" 308 without a suppressor makes me cringe, so if you don't have a can I would weigh that into your decision.

Lastly, build whatever the hell you want.

 

[towerofpower93]

Love my 12.5" .308. Wears an SDN-6 full-time as the two rounds I fired to ensure bullets were leaving concentric holes in a near target left my head ringing, haha.

As far as velocities one can obtain, here's some data from a few weeks back. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find a load with the Berger 185gr OTM the barrel likes. The 155gr TMKs also didn't do well, but I was half expecting that based on research indicating they might be a bit more jump sensitive. Planning to shoot a 20rd string of both 150gr Hornady loads this weekend to see which gives better ES/SD and group size.

I'd call mine a 1.5-2 minute gun with Rainier claiming sub-MOA with the can off. It wears a Gen 1 Vortex PST 4-16x, but I'll probably swap it out for a lighter/lower magnification optic down the road. Thinking a 1-6x or 1-8x would be more of a sweet spot.

12.5” AR10 suppressed with SDN-6
Win LRP
Virgin Win 308 brass SB FLR’d
Full FCD crimp

5rd groups


Hornady 150gr FMJBT
Win 748 47.2gr
OAL: 2.700”

Lo: 2529
Hi: 2564
Avg: 2544
ES: 35
SD: 12.9

Hornady 150gr FMJBT
8208XBR 43.5gr
OAL: 2.700”

Lo: 2385
Hi: 2424
Avg: 2409
ES: 38
SD: 16.7

155gr TMK
IMR 4064 44.4gr
OAL: 2.800”

Lo: 2334
Hi: 2363
Avg: 2349
ES: 29
SD: 11.7

185gr Juggernaut
IMR 4064 43.0gr
OAL: 2.800”

Lo: 2221
Hi: 2266
Avg: 2244
ES: 45
SD: 16.8

 

[Mark Coffey]

I looked very serious at a 308 SBR for hog hunting. The shorter barrel would be great in the stand and in the Jeep or UTV. And the ammo is cheap and available everywhere...

The only reason I didn’t do it was because my suppressor (SilencerCo Omega) is not rated for anything shorter then a 16” barrel for .308.

I assume other suppressor manufacturers don’t have minimum barrel length??

 

[softcock]

I am thinking about 13-14 inch 308 sbr as a good all around rifle. Put a 3-15 type optic on it with a rmr offset. Use the rmr for 100 yards in amd the magnified for out to 700.

Thoughts or insight on this set up? Has anyone done it and learned anything you thought worth sharing? Anyone have pictures of their set up?

-
You got to like to handload . and what I have learned and changing way I think . It More efficient in a 'short barrel' .308 win. . If you up the Bore to a .338 , like going a 14" barrel and ( example .338 federal ) . It way more efficient powder-burn hydraulically shoving down a bigger Bore going short barrel .
Same principle and efficiency as, 16" barrel on .556 and upping to a .257 Bore and getting 2700 to 2800 Vel. with 87 grain . Or going shorter on the the .556 and 10" barrel length and upping Bore to .30 Cal. and still getting 2400 Vel. .
.

 

[MPDS13]

If you are good with building it yourself or having a Smith you trust build it. You can save some weight by going with small frame AR-10 build. Like the DPMS G2 or similar. Since you will more than likely have to custom order a barrel at whichever length you want from Craddock.

 

[aslrookie]

Just buy the LMT and be done with it.

 

[Centuriator]

Just buy the LMT and be done with it.

Amen...that way you can use multiple barrels and have your fantasy fulfilled about the "perfect rifle for any situation."

 

[RyanScott]

Serious users who use 13-14” 7.62s typically do so because their ammunition comes on a pallet from some other organizations budget. If you’re buying your own, there are better options.

That said, it’ll do.

 

[Centuriator]

Uncle Sugar is very generous that way.