Thread: Ideal .308 barrel length.

20in suppressed nice for 400yds,I cant see much further.16" got too much bark.

I have settled on 17” with a Dpt magnum over barrel. Quite enough and still relatively handy in the thickest of the kaimais.

So im currently running 22" unsuppressed. Go down to 18 with a dpt mk2 should be about the same length and be usable

Sent from my SM-G780G using Tapatalk

At 16” the 308 starts getting a bit loud even with suppressor, also apparently spectacular muzzle flash according to bystanders at range although I didn’t really notice it. Different at night but. Bergara BA13, 16.5” barrel?, DPT can with extra stainless baffle.

I guess 2 inches makes all the difference.

Sent from my SM-G780G using Tapatalk

I have a 16 " BA13 Bergara with DPT over barrel suppressor with stainless baffel and brake, the brake made it very pleasant to shoot.
Have rung steel to 400 meters with ease so far but it is a bush rifle really for my purpose.

I have 16.5" Bergara and 22" H&R. I've found the velocity drops off massively in short barrel with lightweight projectiles (125gn), but not too bad in the heavier ones. 168gr Amax at 2650 fps in 22" barrel, 2500 fps in 16.5" barrel, but the 125gr is 2900 fps in 22" barrel, 2550 fps in 16.5" barrel.

I'm sure could recover some of that "lost" velocity with a faster burning powder, but don't really want too many different loads.

Short barrel sure as hell barks loud with no suppressor. Why not try 18" then cut later if you really feel the need? Easier to take more off than add some back on...

Originally Posted by bjp

I have 16.5" Bergara and 22" H&R. I've found the velocity drops off massively in short barrel with lightweight projectiles (125gn), but not too bad in the heavier ones. 168gr Amax at 2650 fps in 22" barrel, 2500 fps in 16.5" barrel, but the 125gr is 2900 fps in 22" barrel, 2550 fps in 16.5" barrel.

I'm sure could recover some of that "lost" velocity with a faster burning powder, but don't really want too many different loads.

Short barrel sure as hell barks loud with no suppressor. Why not try 18" then cut later if you really feel the need? Easier to take more off than add some back on...

Out of interest, on the different .308s are the twist rates the same?

Sent from my SM-G780G using Tapatalk

Best cut a inch off every 100rds of hunting,discover what you like.You cant add on.

For Canterbury hunting 18 - 20 seems like the sweet spot for velocity and portability. A couple of friends have 16s and wish they didn't go that short now. Mines 20, hasn't been a problem but it's a heavy old thing!

Originally Posted by Rn-85

Out of interest, on the different .308s are the twist rates the same?

Sent from my SM-G780G using Tapatalk

Nope, H&R 22" is 1:12 (bought in the 90's), Bergara is 1:8 twist. One of the reason I bought it was to try heavy subs

Originally Posted by Gibo

10

I don't think your pup would like that much.

Factory 16" X-bolt with a DPT. I find it neither barky or recoily. Swaro Z6i 1-6 on top, brilliant bush rifle, I've taken animals at 350y with it.

Originally Posted by Rn-85

I guess 2 inches makes all the difference.

Sent from my SM-G780G using Tapatalk

That's what she said

Depends purely on the use
If it’s a bush gun takeing shots no further than 100m just cut it till the suppressor is 1mm from the stock you can also cut the stock and go even shorter just remember it must be 762mm oal excluding the suppressor

If it’s a bush gun but you still want to be able to shoot to 300m across a clearing or whatever
You probably don’t really want to be under 16- 18

If it’s a 1000m target rifle ( I know it’s not) but 30+

It all comes down to the intended use