Thread: 308 barrel length velocity loss

Shorter than chucking a can on the 20” barrel would be my guess I have a .308 20 or 22” I’d have to check can’t bring my self to thread it and cut it so it’s staying as is I really hate not using a can but love the rifle as is if I do suppress it it’ll loose the 4 inches the can will sit foward

Have had a couple at 16 and a couple at 18 inches.
18 inches is the sweet spot IMO
20 inches is a great balance length to carry. You could go 18 but I don't see it being a great advantage.
I wouldn't go 16 again unless just a bush gun

The question I have is for those of you who have gone from say 20 to 18 or 16 with a standard suppressor in 308.
Is there much volume increase as you go shorter?

Is 18 the happy medium for velocity and noise reduction.
I ask this because I'm in the same situation with a 308 and am looking for the best balance and noise control.
Primarily a bush to 350 rifle and I dont plan on reloading for it.

Originally Posted by GSP HUNTER

The question I have is for those of you who have gone from say 20 to 18 or 16 with a standard suppressor in 308.
Is there much volume increase as you go shorter?

Is 18 the happy medium for velocity and noise reduction.
I ask this because I'm in the same situation with a 308 and am looking for the best balance and noise control.
Primarily a bush to 350 rifle and I dont plan on reloading for it.

I must confess I have a 14.5 inch barrel 308...purchased at bits, cut old suppressor thread off hence the 1/2....

It shoots 150gr Sako factory inside 1 moa, it is a bit louder but then noise is also based on environment....

I like it but think 18 is the sweet spot

Hamish

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Originally Posted by GSP HUNTER

..
Is 18 the happy medium for velocity and noise reduction. ...

I assume you mean shooting a naked barrel of that length? NO centrefire is acceptable without a can or ear protection unless you want to become a "deaf old bastard" who can't function in any background noise.. I'd say I fitted well over 1000 old shooters with hearing aids in my career. Ageing alone is bad enough for hearing without adding a helluva lot more to it from shooting.

The 18” .308s I load for are brilliant 168 amax and 178 eldm crazy accuracy one has a hardy the other a dpt and it pains me to say it but the hardy is a fair bit quieter

Originally Posted by Kelton

The 18” .308s I load for are brilliant 168 amax and 178 eldm crazy accuracy one has a hardy the other a dpt and it pains me to say it but the hardy is a fair bit quieter

Ah but which Hardy ? Stealth, compact...... ? how does your hardy compare to the dpt size, weight and muzzle forward length ?
No hate, genuine curiosity

Originally Posted by Kelton

The 18” .308s I load for are brilliant 168 amax and 178 eldm crazy accuracy one has a hardy the other a dpt and it pains me to say it but the hardy is a fair bit quieter

168s in the 18 inch 308 is killer!

The way I understand it, it depends on the cartridge volume/bore volume ratio. The greater the volume of the bore compared to the cartridge volume the less velocity you will loose per inch removed. ie, 308win will loose less than 7mm08 will loose less than 243win etc (all other things being equal).

18 in barrel not as noisy as 16in.

20 inch barrel
165gn SST = 2750fps

16inch barrel, same rifle
165gn SST = 2570fps - loss of 180fps, 45fps per inch
125gn Nosler BT = 3010 fps

I often use my 15 inch 308 and DPT

150g NBT@ 2730fps

I have a 22 inch barrelled BSA in .308 and get 2810 fps with AR2208 and 150 grain bullets. If I leaned on it I can get 2900 fps. I dont use a supressor and have the best hearing out of anyone I know. I can hear you reading this right now. I dont know why the shooting hasnt affected me. I wear ear protection at the range but not when I am hunting.

Hearing in my left ear is at 50%

Right ear is at 65%

I blame the 600 Mohawk in 308 and Kawekas venison tops Sika on a Friday evening

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