February 26, 2013, 12:58 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 12, 2011
Location: central ohio
Posts: 391
|
rem 700 .308win
Hello! I am debating on cutting down the barrel on my 700. It is currently 26inches. I have read that alot of long range guys go as short as 20inches. It has a 1/12 twist. What are your opinions.
|
February 26, 2013, 02:07 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 20, 2009
Location: Helena, AL
Posts: 4,415
|
Don't go past 22". This cartridge has a great bore/capacity ratio, so you'll get max velocity with the 22".
|
February 26, 2013, 02:36 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 10, 1999
Location: High Desert NV
Posts: 2,850
|
What problem do you think this will solve?
|
February 26, 2013, 02:49 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 15, 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 10,792
|
Here is a good read
http://www.tacticaloperations.com/SWATbarrel/ It really depends on the gun and the use. Some go as short as 16" with acceptable results. I prefer 20" as a minimum, and it isn't just about velocity loss. Shorter than 20" and muzzle blast starts to be a problem and depending on the gun the balance is all wrong. You will lose some speed going down to 20" from 26", but probably less than 100 fps. Unless you are really pushing the limits of 308 range I don't think you will ever notice the difference. |
February 26, 2013, 07:57 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 6, 2012
Location: Southeast Texas
Posts: 1,670
|
I prefer 24" out of a .308 barrel. 20" is a little on the short side if you are thinking about getting into the long range game.
However, 26" really is not that bad. Why are you wanting to cut it down? |
February 27, 2013, 06:43 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 12, 2011
Location: central ohio
Posts: 391
|
Really was just looking for a better balance. Im running a HS Precision stock with Leupold mk 4 ert 4.5-14x50. Looking at 1000 yard max shots. In the spring I will be attending a long range school here in ohio. I also would like some input on muzzle breaks. Every manufacturer says thiers is the best. Which one to get???? O the cost of long range!!!
|
February 27, 2013, 08:24 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 15, 2009
Posts: 8,927
|
Folks shooting the best scores in long range competition use barrels from 26 to 32 inches. With the .308 Win. case and powders used for best performance, they all increase muzzle velocity up through 34 inches; probably more. Palma rifles have 30 inch barrels to get 155-gr. bullets out the muzzle at about 3000 fps to stay supersonic through 1000 yards; shorter barrels won't do it. A 22 inch .308 Win. barrel is barely going to do it at normal, safe peak pressures at 52,000 cup (60,000 psi) with 175 or 180 grain bullets.
Yes, some folks do use 20 inch barrels; AR10's chambered for the .308 Win. are allowed in NRA service rifle competition. The US Army does but only because folks shooting 7.62 NATO Garands were producing better scores in 1000-yard matches than their 5.56 NATO service rifles and the US Army Advanced Marksmanship Unit didn't have anything to compete with those Garands; they got the NRA to allow AR10's to be used. The load used in them to shoot Berger 185-gr. bullets was about the same as proof loads close to the 65,000 cup (80,000 psi) range. It was the only way that short barrel could produce the muzzle velocity needed. Military teams had previously used such loads in their M14's and 7.62 M1's with 180's and 190's, but those rifles could handle that pressure with ease and members didn't reload fired cases using them. I discourage folks using muzzle "brakes" as rifles with them are not allowed in competition and may be so in training classes, too. To say nothing about their oft time issues of robbing accuracy. Especially when it's raining. Muzzzle brakes are not needed on .308 Win. rifles; unless they weigh less than 2, maybe 3 pounds. GeauxTide, what's your reasoning behind this comment: This cartridge has a great bore/capacity ratio, so you'll get max velocity with the 22".? How do you calculate that ratio? Last edited by Bart B.; February 27, 2013 at 05:34 PM. |
February 27, 2013, 09:15 AM | #8 | |||
Senior Member
Join Date: February 15, 2009
Posts: 8,927
|
jmr40' link http://www.tacticaloperations.com/SWATbarrel/ is both interesting and typical of what lots of published results of rifle tests say. But like so many of them, it doesn't tell the whole story and some of the data is questionable. Examples:
Quote:
The very best benchrest rifles do not consistently getting sub-1/4 MOA accuracy at longer ranges; it's more like sub 3/4 MOA which is what their group agg's prove. Quote:
If the bore's enlargement from normal to bigger as the barrel gets hot starting out cold, then nobody would be able to shoot a few dozen shots under 2 inches at 600 yards. That's been done but with bullets sorted to use only the perfectly balanced ones so the barrel could be tested for accuracy going from cold to very, very hot. They don't know what they're talking about. I think their problem was poorly fitted barrels or barrels not stress relieved properly. Quote:
Last edited by Bart B.; February 27, 2013 at 12:48 PM. |
|||
February 27, 2013, 09:25 AM | #9 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 15, 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 10,792
|
Quote:
Shooting at 1,000 yards was not mentioned in the OP. At that range the extra barrel length is helpful. For a general purpose hunting rifle shot at closer ranges, say 400 or less then a shorter barrel is much less of a handicap. My original advice was with that use in mind. |
|
February 27, 2013, 12:18 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 6, 2012
Location: Southeast Texas
Posts: 1,670
|
For 1,000 yard shooting I would keep the 26" barrel.... If you cut it down do not go less than 24". You won't be able to get the velocities necessary to keep the bullet stable out to 1,000 yards consistently; especially if you don't handload.
|
February 27, 2013, 12:46 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 15, 2009
Posts: 8,927
|
jmr40, I was referring to his great bore/capacity ratio comment and 22" for max velocity. Thanks for commenting on it; I edited my earlier post.
|
February 28, 2013, 11:03 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 12, 2011
Location: central ohio
Posts: 391
|
Thanks for the advice. I will not be shooting in competition. This will be a hunting rifle with 1000 yard range trips.. how exactly does a muzzle break hinder accuracy?
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|