Thread: .308 barrel length

Originally Posted by ChrisW

Pros of 16" = handier and lighter.
Cons of 16" = slightly less velocity and louder than a longer barrel.

Pros of 20"= more velocity, not as loud.
Cons of 20" = not as handy due to longer length. A little heavier.

20" much less flash if in a dimly lit area like thick bush and shooting without a suppressor on. If you aren't ready for it (one eye closed basically) you can end up with a few seconds where your eyes are in full sunlight mode due to the sudden light and you can't see f-all all of a sudden...

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

This might come as a surprise to some.
I have a couple of 308 rifles and they have 22 inch barrels. And they work just fine.

Got a model 70 Winchester 308. Was 22”, got it shortened to 18” and suppressor fitted. Wish I’d never done it! Handling and balance all fucked up now. Still a good rifle, just not as good as original. Also have a Bergara BA13 16” with DPT can suppressor. Handles ok, a bit too fast swinging on running shots. Noisey as hell without suppressor and a bit of a flamethrower. Easily shoots to 200 metres ok, haven’t tried on animals much further than this yet. Mostly use this one with subs.

My vote
If suppressing cut to 16 inch. I am running 130ttsx at 3000 fps
If not suppressed 22 inch. Used to run 168s at 2750fps.

My 18in bergara is pushing the 165g TGK at 2650fps. Happy with mine to 500m. Any gunsmith will cut a tikka to desired length.

Originally Posted by mattstr

If your looking at buying would seriously consider Bergara B14 Extreme hunter comes factory 18” fluted. Use mine from 10- 500 yards

Seems like a lot of gun for the money and Bergara are good quality. I overlooked these as I assumed they would be heavy, but the same weight as a Tikka Lite.

I’ve got a 20” Tikka T3x .308
Super accurate and kicks less than my .243
Personally I prefer the 20” but each to their own

Originally Posted by Vx-Hunter

I’ve got a 20” Tikka T3x .308
Super accurate and kicks less than my .243
Personally I prefer the 20” but each to their own

Supressed?

Sent from my SM-G780G using Tapatalk

Yeah, running a DPT shooting 150s

vx hunter, have you ever shot a 16" tho?

Originally Posted by MB

Seems like a lot of gun for the money and Bergara are good quality. I overlooked these as I assumed they would be heavy, but the same weight as a Tikka Lite.

I do believe they are heavy than the tikka I’ve compensated by putting on a light weight Swaro. I’ve shot everything from 130gr-168 and everything has grouped very well. I’ve been nothing but impressed with this rifle and believe as far as an all rounder it’s not far from a perfect set up in my eyes. I’ve probably shot around 18 deer so far with it and it’s a pleasure to shoot.

Originally Posted by mattstr

I do believe they are heavy than the tikka I’ve compensated by putting on a light weight Swaro. I’ve shot everything from 130gr-168 and everything has grouped very well. I’ve been nothing but impressed with this rifle and believe as far as an all rounder it’s not far from a perfect set up in my eyes. I’ve probably shot around 18 deer so far with it and it’s a pleasure to shoot.

I was just going off the published weights. Both 2.9kg.

Had both Bergara was heavier. Very accurate but something better came along.......as it does

The 308 will do everything it can do out of a 19" barrel.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

My vote
If suppressing cut to 16 inch. I am running 130ttsx at 3000 fps
If not suppressed 22 inch. Used to run 168s at 2750fps.

My tika 22in suppressed,runs 165gr ssts at 2760ft/s.

Tikka 18” suppressed, running factory superformance 150gr SST at 2820fps.
Like it a lot!