• HideTV Updates Are Now Live!

    View thread
  • Win an RIX Storm S3 Thermal Imaging Scope!

    To enter, all you need to do is add an image of yourself at the range below! Subscribers get more entries, check out the plans below for a better chance of winning!

    Join the contest Subscribe

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

Johnson184

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 12, 2008
184
13
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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"?
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
You must be at least 18 years of age to use this site
You confirm that you are at least 18 years of age by continuing to use the site.