308 barrel length

[highpower790]

I love this idea. "Sorry guys, I'd like to go shooting tomorrow but my barrel won't work in cold weather." Combine that with "my powder is too temperature sensitive" for hot days and you have equipment-related excuses for not shooting when it is too cold or too hot!

I recognize the sarcasm and had to laugh a little,but groups being fired using ball powder will fluctuate with temp extremes.A good stick powder like Varget or something similar are less sensitive.Watch ball powder groups open up above 75degrees...and Milo try the 7.7Krieger!

[Shakey]

I recognize the sarcasm and had to laugh a little,but groups being fired using ball powder will fluctuate with temp extremes.A good stick powder like Varget or something similar are less sensitive.Watch ball powder groups open up above 75degrees...and Milo try the 7.7Krieger!

It's totally true, and there was no sarcasm intended. I hate being too hot or too cold, and I'd rather have an equipment-related excuse than having to tell my shooting buddies that I am a wimp.

[aznwolf118]

Environment and the actual weapon system will play into it too but here is a great read to start off.

Keep in mind their test was based on 168 bthp fgmm.

http://www.tacticaloperations.com/SWATbarrel/

[Gem1950]

It's totally true, and there was no sarcasm intended. I hate being too hot or too cold, and I'd rather have an equipment-related excuse than having to tell my shooting buddies that I am a wimp.

And what's the name of your weapon private? Uh, er, Goldielocks sir!

[vliberatore]

Of course this thread is around when I'm taking my rifle to GAP tomorrow to get the barrel threaded for a brake.

Now you all got me pondering cutting it to 22" or 24"...

[five.five-six]

And what's the name of your weapon private? Uh, er, Goldielocks sir!

Sir, the private's weapon's name is Charlene, sir!

[five.five-six]

I was told today at a shop that the ideal barrel length for a 308 is 18". Anything longer than that causes drag on the bullet slowing it down. Anyone ever hear that?

This must be the slowest bullet in the world

[JTROKS]

This must be the slowest bullet in the world

Well tanks back then aren't exactly fast, so they don't need fast bullets. Plus the extra weight of 35 inches of barrel was to give their soldiers a workout. Come to think of it this is a bigger bore so the optimum barrel length should be 12".

[vintagearms]

Of course this thread is around when I'm taking my rifle to GAP tomorrow to get the barrel threaded for a brake.

Now you all got me pondering cutting it to 22" or 24"...

Tell George to hurry up with those left handed Tempest actions. I am saving up to get one of his builds

[ar15barrels]

Now you all got me pondering cutting it to 22" or 24"...

Don't do it.
Just don't.

[vliberatore]

Don't do it.
Just don't.

Yeah, I decided it's not worth it. I don't save much weight, don't gain much maneuverability, and lose velocity.

[JMP]

I love this idea. "Sorry guys, I'd like to go shooting tomorrow but my barrel won't work in cold weather." Combine that with "my powder is too temperature sensitive" for hot days and you have equipment-related excuses for not shooting when it is too cold or too hot!

Is that why Accuracy International designed their .308 Arctic Warfares in 1:12" except for models to be used with suppressors?

Call up Bartlein and ask what their position is on twist rate on a full length barrel without suppressor.

If you find that you need a 200gr bullet to meet your criteria, you are using the wrong cartridge. The ninja trend is for short barrels and fast twists. 1:9" and 1:10" are generally for shorter barrels to be used with a suppressor.

[Shakey]

Is that why Accuracy International designed their .308 Arctic Warfares in 1:12" except for models to be used with suppressors?

Call up Bartlein and ask what their position is on twist rate on a full length barrel without suppressor.

If you find that you need a 200gr bullet to meet your criteria, you are using the wrong cartridge. The ninja trend is for short barrels and fast twists. 1:9" and 1:10" are generally for shorter barrels to be used with a suppressor.

You are hilarious dude, like a dog with a bone. Your position seems to be "you must use 1:12 twist" and "nobody should shoot 200gr bullets in 308". That, my friend, is called a tautology. You defined an arbitrary precondition that supports your conclusion. Yep, AI and Barletin suggest 1:12 for general use. GAP suggests 1:11.25 or 1:10. As I mentioned above, John Whidden uses 1:10 with 155gr bullets. All individuals making individual decisions based on their own uses.

I thought the point of this thread was to give people info so they could make their own decisions, not to lay down some odd one-size-fits-all rule. The info is here, people can make their decisions. I'll continue to shoot my "wrong" bullets in my "wrong" twist gun and continue to have fun. I'll also shoot my JMP-approved-weight bullets in my JMP-approved twist barrel and have fun with that, too.

One last question though - do you have any actual evidence of 1:10 or 1:11 having a negative impact on the accuracy of target bullets?

[jayzx10r]

Environment and the actual weapon system will play into it too but here is a great read to start off.

Keep in mind their test was based on 168 bthp fgmm.

http://www.tacticaloperations.com/SWATbarrel/

I was wondering when this would surface... and in my experience I've found nothing to contradict it.

I believe a heavy barreled 20" to the perfect 308 barrel length and contour for longer range shooting. If you need more range than this system can provide, look at a different cartridge! :-)

It's not an exact contrast to shoot the same lot number (or handload) round through 2 different rifles of varying barrel length with an expectation of comparative analysis. Barrel length and contour, bore and chamber wear, bore polish and friction, bore diameter and fouling variances between different guns can skew results...

These and other factors are why I think if you want to validate barrel length effect on velocity/accuracy, then one would have to do as the above article did.... remove equal lengths of barrel until there is a change === FROM THE SAME GUN!!

They used different marksmen and a chrono and drew the same conclusion: A 20" barrel did not exhibit ANY loss of velocity or accuracy (with 168 gr. 308 ammo) and experienced minimal loss at 18". Personally, I'm good with the 20"

[five.five-six]

This thread needs a suppressor.