i am going to get a .308 but i am undecided on barrel length, either 20" or 24" in a heavy barrel. i like the idea of a 20" due to weight savings and manuverability, but am i sacrificing too much in the velocity category?

exsanguinate,
If you'll used this rifle for bench target shooting (static position) go with a 24" barrel. If you want to hunt with this rifle and carry it go with a 20" barrel. The velocity will be a little bit slower with a 20" barrel (between 50 to 150 fps less). With a 20" barrel, you will use you rifle till 300 yards without problems, and with a great velocity to penetrate animal skins. But is is your choice not mine.IMHO

i am going to get a .308 but i am undecided on barrel length, either 20" or 24" in a heavy barrel. i like the idea of a 20" due to weight savings and manuverability, but am i sacrificing too much in the velocity category?[/QUOTE]

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BER007
Keep the faith in any circumstances
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BBER007@HOTMAIL.COM

In a heavy barrel, for hunting go with the 20 inch.

The 308 has limited powder capacity and extra barrel length will increase the MV for better performance with the heavier bullets. If you are going to shoot at only 100 or 200 yards you want a 21 3/4" barrel for maximum accuracy potential. If you intend shooting at longer ranges you should consider the 26" barrel. I would choose the 308 with a 1 in 12" twist bore and be able to shoot bullets from 110 to 175 grains with very good results.

I'd let rifle fit,"feel" and balance dictate your decision.

That 4" of barrel,won't make 100fps worth of difference..............

I shoot long range, where I hunt, a 500 yard shot is the norm. I have my 300 win mag in a 26" and my 7mm mag is a 24". I like the long barrels. If you hunting grounds do not require shooting at long range, then the 20" will work fine. The animal on the recieving end of the bullet won't notice that it was killed at 100 ft per sec slower or faster. Have fun shopping!!!!!! Ed

308s should have 18" barrels, if you want a long barrel, get a Man sized cartridge!

I saw a test once and a 308win will gain velocity using up to and beyond 40" barrels, alot of cartridges will not. If you don't believe me cut an inch off, recrown and test for yourself. 18" is severely limiting the potential of a 308win.

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Brent

Everything is a trade.

A short barrel is lighter, and sometimes more accurate.

Shorter barrels create more muzzle blast, more recoil, and less muzzle velocity. I have a Browning '06 that I really don't enjoy shooting because it has a 20" barrel (even though they advertise 22" for this model... that's another story). My Turkington '06, with no recoil pad, is more pleasant to shoot, mostly because it has a 24" barrel.

If you have the chance, try shooting a long and a short barrel, and see which you like best.

My 22" .308 comes within about 75 fps of my 20" '06, and my 24" '06 quite significantly outshines them both.

On the other hand, my 20" .223 is a joy to shoot, partly because the cartridge is too small to generate huge recoil and blast, and a mild 2800 fps/55grain load is plenty for what I do.

Ultimately, it comes down to what you enjoy.

Welcome to the board exsanguinate.

As stated by most, it is a matter of personal preference. Personally, I lean toward 26" barrels, a little less flash and blast, a little free muzzle velocity. But I am also 6'3" tall and 210 lbs, weilding the longer pipe is not an issue.

The shorter barrel is stiffer, conceivably giving an accuracy edge, the longer barrels generally have a little less velocity variation, an aid in accuracy. It's six one way, half a dozen the other. Only you can really decide.

Good luck and good shooting, MM

Exsanguinate,

Welcome to the forum.

I shoot .308s with 19" and 20" barrels for hunting, and they work just fine. The animals absolutely don't know what barrel length they were just shot with.

John Schaefer has a web site given over to the Steyr Scout rifle -- which has a 19" barrel. See http://www.steyrscout.org/steyrdb.htm
for data on accuracy and velocity from several of these rifles.

jim dodd

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"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

Exsanguaite,

When you say heavy barrel, do you mean tactical contour, heavy varmint, heavy sporter? What type rifle are you looking to purchase?

Let the rifle fit the situation, what application is this rifle going to be used for predominantly? In a hunting situation, is it heavy brush or beanfield? If you are shooting paper, at what distances? Do you plan to be in a confined environment where mobility is going to exceed the 'need for speed'? Just a few things to consider...

JR

i am going to get a .308 but i am undecided on barrel length, either 20" or 24" in a heavy barrel. i like the idea of a 20" due to weight savings and manuverability, but am i sacrificing too much in the velocity category?[/B][/QUOTE]

thanks for all the input. i decided on a Savage 10FP with a 24" barrel. i should be getting it this week and will be installing a Canjar trigger.

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