Re: 308 Shorter Barrel?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XTR</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: valentin_84</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Longshot38</div><div class="ubbcode-body">308 Winchester is a rather effient round. When you couple case capacity w/ powder burn rates vs bore size you come up with a very nice equation. Complete powder burn is done within the first 16-18 inches of barrel length. Some guys run longer barrels to pickup modest gains in velocity but simply fact of the matter is that accuracy and velocity have little in common. However when you are talking about the palma crowd that has to run 155 grain bullets velocity is important to keep the bullet stable all the way out to the 1000 yard mark. On the other hand when you are talking about 175+ grain bullets they stay stable through the transonic barrier and thus velocity is not not much an issue. </div></div>
So, if I went with an 18" barrel (without a suppressor) and shot the 175gr bthp .308, I should be able to be shooting out to 1000yds? </div></div>
You can, but you are going to have to run max+ loads and hammer the crap out of the brass, and I doubt you are going to want to run it that way all the time, so you'll end up having to develop 2 loads. If you plan to shoot to 1000 very often then get a 24" tube. If it's a once in a while thing, or maybe once, then get what ever you want.
One other thing, the barrel will make a difference. With my match loads my 24" Rock Creek pushes 175gn SMKs at 2650, my stock 26" Remington varmint gets 2590. Longer barrel, slower bullet on the stock tube.
It never ceases to amaze that people want to use finishing hammers for framing.
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???
Not really. I do load at the upper end of published ranges but I don't run unsafe or overpressure loads. This whole argument about needing a long barrel to push 308 winchester out to the 1000 yard mark or farther doesn't hold water. People shoot short barreled 308s to 1000 yards every day. If you understand the science, like I explained previously, then you begin to understand this. If you are happier running a 20 plus inch barrel on your 308 then I'm happy for you, but it is not necessary. Barrel length does not translate to accuracy and the velocity gains are marginal.
If you follow the logic of the right tool for the job then 308 Winchester doesn't even enter into this discussion. The round gained popularity because it was a military round and military rounds have always carried a large following behind them. For 1000 or more yard engagement many better case designs exist and are better suited for the task at hand.
To the OP keep your barrel 20 inches or shorter and you will be fine unless you are wanting to run a palma rifle. If you want more then what is here I got a couple numbers for gunsmith that you can call. I know of one in particular that builds all is platforms around barrel under 20 inches and manages to get 168 grain bullet to fly well to the 1000 yard mark.
