Should I stick with 24" for my 308 or cut it down?

[Johnson184]

Picked up a used AIAT in 308 with a 24" barrel recently. I think I'm going to be running it suppressed with my Surefire SOCOM300SPS.
I was originally going to consider cutting my 24" barrel down to around 18" but someone suggested I ask around about it as it seems most 18" barrels use a 1:10 twist. Any concerns with cutting down a 1:12 twist barrel?

I don't shoot competitions, but I'm considering it in the future when I have more time and funds. But from what I gather, most people in the Tactical 308 division for PRS shoot 24" barrel lengths to get to the 2800fps limit. Should I just stick with the 24"?

 

[Kentucreed6]

Cut it to 20”. Still get good speed with 168 grain bullets or 155 and stabilize. Will be easier to handle in my opinion. I had a 20” fb spr for a spell that had 1-11.25 and shot great with 168s. I think 1-12 will be fine

 

[Luvman]

I have a 20” 1:12 AT barrel. It shoots pretty good. I actually shot a comp with it, and it didn’t hold me back.

I’d go 20” it should work well.

 

[JMGlasgow]

I like 24" for 308. It's easier to get to a target velocity.

 

[Centuriator]

38" best

 

[brianf]

Unless you have a space /mobility issue I wouldn’t touch it
Your not gaining anything but are loosing velocity
Shorties are just as accurate in a vacuum
But the extra FPS help with wind

 

[briang7511]

You have a AIAT which has the quick lok barrel system. You can easily buy a second shorter barrel and change as needed to satisfy your need to test a shorter barrel. If you like it you can sell your other barrel or keep both. I do agree with above post unless you have a specific need why cut it.

 

[Centuriator]

I highly recommend you not cut your barrel. Just buy another one. Or, sell it and buy another.

 

[OLD308]

I have 308s in a variety of barrel lengths and twist rates. Barrel lengths from 16-26” twist rates from 1-8, 1-10, 1-11.25, 1-12. Here is my experience. Shorter barrels like faster twist if your shooting distance or want a wide variety of bullet weight selection.
For all around usage 1-10 at 20” shoots everything well. Longer barrels and faster or slower twist are only for specific applications.
A 1-12 18” 308 could work for you. You will be limited in what bullets it actually performs well with, and that’s subjective at best. I personally will never make a 1-12 short barrel again. To picky on what bullets work for it at distance. But it shoots 160 Nosler BT well so its a hunting rifle now.
I would leave it a 1-12. Shoot it out and then re barrel. The 1-12 will not be the reason you loose a match. Hope this helps.

 

[Johnson184]

Thanks fellas for the help! Gonna just stick with it for now and see how I like it. If I need a shorter barrel, I'll do as y'all suggested and just get another barrel with a 1-10 twist.