308 barrel length?

[rhinoortiz]

Hey all. New here. This is my first post besides the intro post, lol. Recently my brother and I have started looking into entry level long range rifles. Something that can be 1000 yard capable. Among my research I've noticed different barrel length options for 308 caliber rifles. My question to you guys is will there be any benefit to go with a 24" over a 20". Those seem to be the most common I've seen. I know velocity goes up with length. I'm not using a chronograph and like I said, we are just getting into this kind of shooting. So if it dosnt really matter as much in the 400 to 1k distance then I dont really see the need for the longer barrel. If you guys can help a newborn out that would be great.
Thanks Ryan

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[Fjold]

For dedicated long range shooting the majority of F class (1,000 yard) shooters are using 30" barrels. You will lose/gain 30-60 fps for every inch of barrel length. The minimum barrel length that I'd recommend for a 308 is 24" (but 26" and longer is preferred) and longer than that is better because every inch of barrel length increases your velocity which makes significant differences in the wind drift.

If the gun is dedicated to paper punching at long range I would consider the 6.5mm (.264), .243 or 7mm (.284) cartridges with a 1:8" twist for the better bullet ballistic coefficient and lesser recoil over the .308 Win.

[Dave Hoback]

308 has about run it’s course at 24-26”. After that you aren’t gaining much FPS at all...certainly not 30-60fps! In fact, the typical speed increase from 24” to 30” is only about 80fps. Now, that is a little bit more. And faster is always better. But you have to decide if it’s worth the extra COST, WEIGHT, etc. I would choose 24” for a hunting rifle I’m going to carry, and 26” for a normal bench rifle.

[HUTCH 7.62]

I’d go 22” for a dedicated Hunting rifle. Or 24-26” for long range work. The Marine corp use a 25” barrel on the M-40

[Fjold]

[rhinoortiz]

Wow thanks for all the responses. I under stand the 6.5 vs 308 debate. But lile I said this is really my first long range setup. Only shot 300yards so far. The rifles i have now are a remington 783 in .223 and a Springfield 1903 sporter. They are both great rifles. The rem seems to favor lighter bullets with the slow twist rate so I dont see it going much further. So I'm looking for my next step up basically. This rifle won't be a dedicated paper shooter. It might see some hunting use in the future. My reason for going 308 is primarily price and ease. I like being able to buy cheap bulk ammo for days when other people want to shoot or for just having fun at shorter distances. I'm also not looking to spend 1k or more on a rifle. For my first setup just trying to keep it simple and somewhat cheap. Looks like a 24" is the way to go, even for a hunting scenario.

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[rhinoortiz]

All that being said, I also dont see this being the one and only long range rifle I'll have. I like to tinker, modify and change things up. I like adding to my growing collection. I will definitely be getting something better in the future in other calibers. I think of this as the first stepping stone into the distance world for me.

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[theLBC]

https://www.wideopenspaces.com/the-truth-about-barrel-length-muzzle-velocity-and-accuracy/

[baih777]

Long range and cheap bulk ammo is not a good mix.

[rhinoortiz]

Long range and cheap bulk ammo is not a good mix.

Not necessarily saying in gonna use cheap ammo to shoot long range. It is nice though to be able to get cheap bulk stuff for plinking at short distances or when you go with a group of people and the want to try your rifle. This is a scenario my brother and I find ourselves in a lot cause we are the ones with the guns. I'm fine with that. The more I can expose people to it and show them it's fun and safe and not scary is a win.

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[CWL]

Long range and cheap bulk ammo is not a good mix.

Not necessarily saying in gonna use cheap ammo to shoot long range. It is nice though to be able to get cheap bulk stuff for plinking at short distances or when you go with a group of people and the want to try your rifle. This is a scenario my brother and I find ourselves in a lot cause we are the ones with the guns. I'm fine with that. The more I can expose people to it and show them it's fun and safe and not scary is a win.

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If you want to get into long range shooting, get a set-up for it.

You can't have everything in one rifle. I think every new rifle shooter says they want to shoot 1000 yards (and hit), but without the rifle, optics+mount, and ammo, it ain't gonna happen.

If you want to have fun shooting 300 yards with bulk ammo, that's fine.

[Dave Hoback]

Not necessarily saying in gonna use cheap ammo to shoot long range. It is nice though to be able to get cheap bulk stuff for plinking at short distances or when you go with a group of people and the want to try your rifle. This is a scenario my brother and I find ourselves in a lot cause we are the ones with the guns. I'm fine with that. The more I can expose people to it and show them it's fun and safe and not scary is a win.

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[rhinoortiz]

If you want to get into long range shooting, get a set-up for it.



You can't have everything in one rifle. I think every new rifle shooter says they want to shoot 1000 yards (and hit), but without the rifle, optics+mount, and ammo, it ain't gonna happen.



If you want to have fun shooting 300 yards with bulk ammo, that's fine.

I understand I'm not gonna get a rifle and hit at 1k. Heck, I've only gone 300 so far. I might not ever hit at 1k. I'm fine with that. I also understand that this will not be an end al be all rifle. I'm fine with that too. I also haven't really settled on a set up at all yet. I've just been looking at rifles and realize most have the option of 20 or 24 inch barrel and was curious of which would be better. A target rifle that might see some hunting. Shooting all kinds of distances. Seems lile the consensus is 24 over a 20.

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[rhinoortiz]

Reloading is something my brother and I also are looking into. I like the idea of load development as well as stocking up on stuff for plinking with all my old brass. I have quite a bit I've been collecting for a while. Also dont want to deal with the background check any more, lol.

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[Dave Hoback]

Reloading is something my brother and I also are looking into. I like the idea of load development as well as stocking up on stuff for plinking with all my old brass. I have quite a bit I've been collecting for a while. Also dont want to deal with the background check any more, lol.