.308 20” vs 22”

[B.J.F.]

Ive been looking into getting a bolt rifle. I’ve been looking at the Savage 110 Trail Hunter Lite

specs

20” fluted barrel w/threaded muzzle
Accu Trigger
Accu Stock (100% Free Float)
Titanium Cerakoat finish

Any reason to avoid a 20” barrel

uses will be dual role of target and eventually hunting antelope, deer and elk.

Rifle is also available in 6.5 creedmoor which I do know its flatter shooting over longer distance but have read its not as good for big game

[Garbcollector]

Ive been looking into getting a bolt rifle. I’ve been looking at the Savage 110 Trail Hunter Lite

specs

20” fluted barrel w/threaded muzzle
Accu Trigger
Accu Stock (100% Free Float)
Titanium Cerakoat finish

Any reason to avoid a 20” barrel

uses will be dual role of target and eventually hunting antelope, deer and elk.

Rifle is also available in 6.5 creedmoor which I do know its flatter shooting over longer distance but have read its not as good for big game

Years ago I rebarreled all of my match rifles from 308 to 6.5 and 6mm nothing wrong with 308 but my rifles are heavy pigs not made for hunting trips but made for bench and prone shooting. If it were me I'd go 6.5 ammo is just as available as 308 and cost per box is Damm near the same

[B.J.F.]

Years ago I rebarreled all of my match rifles from 308 to 6.5 and 6mm nothing wrong with 308 but my rifles are heavy pigs not made for hunting trips but made for bench and prone shooting. If it were me I'd go 6.5 ammo is just as available as 308 and cost per box is Damm near the same

have you hunted white tail, mule deer and elk with the 6.5?

my friend locally has hunted antelope with zero issues with the 6.5 but they are also much smaller.

[Garbcollector]

I'm not a hunter.. but i doubt with the right hunting ammo the 6.5 would let you down on your next deer or elk hunting trip

[Spyder]

308 and 6.5 will both work fine in either barrel length for your intended uses. I've killed elk with a 6.5 out of a 20" barrel and that would be the lowest energy of the four options. Shot placement counts.

[ar15barrels]

Ive been looking into getting a bolt rifle. I’ve been looking at the Savage 110 Trail Hunter Lite

specs

20” fluted barrel w/threaded muzzle
Accu Trigger
Accu Stock (100% Free Float)
Titanium Cerakoat finish

Any reason to avoid a 20” barrel

uses will be dual role of target and eventually hunting antelope, deer and elk.

Rifle is also available in 6.5 creedmoor which I do know its flatter shooting over longer distance but have read its not as good for big game

A 20" 308 will do anything you need out to about 400yds.
You already have the 6.5 for shooting further than 400yds so use that when you need to reach further.
The 6.5 will have more energy on target at 400 and beyond than the 308 due to the 6.5 bullets having such better BC.
The 308 generally beats the 6.5 inside 300yds.

[B.J.F.]

A 20" 308 will do anything you need out to about 400yds.
You already have the 6.5 for shooting further than 400yds so use that when you need to reach further.
The 6.5 will have more energy on target at 400 and beyond than the 308 due to the 6.5 bullets having such better BC.
The 308 generally beats the 6.5 inside 300yds.

I don't have a 6.5 was just keeping that open as a option.

I ended up buying the .308. It had the traditional shaped rifle stock. The 6.5 with the Axis II stock was more modern ergonomic and frankly the grip angle was uncomfortable. Definitely no Magpul stock grip angle.

A guy I know here that goes hunting in the area said for the rolling hill terrain and the junipers the .308 was ideal because you’re generally shooting under 500 yards. Having a slightly shorter barrel is more convenient. He advised me to invest in snake gaiters and a good pair of leather boots.

[splithoof]

My daughter and I had a very successful plains game hunt in Africa recently using two .308W rifles with 16” barrels. All shots taken were inside 300 yards; everything fell easily to the Barnes 150 TTSX loads I made. I’ve hunted other species here in America with numerous rifles of different barrel lengths, and for practical purposes the difference between a 20” and a 22” barrel in darn near everything is so negligible.
What you really need to be concerned with is your ability to make first-round hits from actual field positions, and stay far away from bench rests at target ranges. That, and a good purposeful bullet placed correctly will make it happen.

[B.J.F.]

In addition to my rifle and scope. I also ordered the Surefire SOCOM muzzle brake. Later will be processing and purchasing the SOCOM Suppressor. In the interim I’ll purchase the Warden

[ar15robert]

I don't have a 6.5 was just keeping that open as a option.

I ended up buying the .308. It had the traditional shaped rifle stock. The 6.5 with the Axis II stock was more modern ergonomic and frankly the grip angle was uncomfortable. Definitely no Magpul stock grip angle.

A guy I know here that goes hunting in the area said for the rolling hill terrain and the junipers the .308 was ideal because you’re generally shooting under 500 yards. Having a slightly shorter barrel is more convenient. He advised me to invest in snake gaiters and a good pair of leather boots.

.308 will do the job for hunting.As for distance yeh alot of spots will be 300 yds or under and if going further will you be that confident as this aint steel or paper.Wont be shooting off a bench either in the field.I currently have a 300wm and have an elk hunt in about 3 weeks.I want a deer rifle as i gave my nephew my 30-30 that my dad gave me years ago and looking to either go .308 or .243 for that one.

[Ora Serrata]

I’ve got a Rem 700 20” SPS. I thought it would be good for both long range target matches and hunting. That’s until I did a match that was 400 yards on the short end and 900 yards on the long end. The recoil of the .308 meant longer to re-acquire the sight picture in the allotted time. Everyone else was using some 6/6.5 variant which put them at a great advantage in target acquisition, and flatter trajectory. I ended up also getting another Rem 700 in 6.5 Creedmoor for long range targets. So the moral of the story is get both ;-)