New Member with Questions-LR308 Suggestions

[JDogg]

Alright guys I've been a lurker for quite awhile, but I finally decided I'd join up and pick your'alls brains. I've got a DPMS LR308 with a 16 inch barrel thats been sitting around not getting much use. I've wanted to turn it into a long range gun for awhile. I had been thinking I was going to rebarrel it in a different caliber, but wasn't sure what caliber to do. Most likely a .243 or .260.
However recently I thought maybe I would just leave it how it is. I have all the reloading stuff for .308 and plenty of brass. Instead of spending money on the gun I thought I would order a good Leupold scope from the custom shop similar to a Greybull type. This would get me in the game quicker and start practicing. What say you guys? Is the 16 inch barrel sufficient to get to 700yds?

Also if I stay with the .308 what loads you recommend. I would be using the gun for deer. I would like the ammo to be good on shots from right under a tree stand to my maximum effective range. From what I read you all like the 175 SMKs? Would the 175 be too heavy for the 16" barrel? I've been a barnes guy lately but I know they don't open up at the long ranges so thats out, neither do they have the BC.

 

[WildRose]

Alright guys I've been a lurker for quite awhile, but I finally decided I'd join up and pick your'alls brains. I've got a DPMS LR308 with a 16 inch barrel thats been sitting around not getting much use. I've wanted to turn it into a long range gun for awhile. I had been thinking I was going to rebarrel it in a different caliber, but wasn't sure what caliber to do. Most likely a .243 or .260.
However recently I thought maybe I would just leave it how it is. I have all the reloading stuff for .308 and plenty of brass. Instead of spending money on the gun I thought I would order a good Leupold scope from the custom shop similar to a Greybull type. This would get me in the game quicker and start practicing. What say you guys? Is the 16 inch barrel sufficient to get to 700yds?

Also if I stay with the .308 what loads you recommend. I would be using the gun for deer. I would like the ammo to be good on shots from right under a tree stand to my maximum effective range. From what I read you all like the 175 SMKs? Would the 175 be too heavy for the 16" barrel? I've been a barnes guy lately but I know they don't open up at the long ranges so thats out, neither do they have the BC.

You're going to have a hard time getting any kind of long range precision out of a 16" barrel.

If it were me I'd call Accuracy Systems Inc in Colorado and have him put one of his good long range barrels on it. Carl's done work for me in the past and will be doing another upper for me very soon. Can't say enough good about the work he does.

Rifle Accuracy Systems Inc Custom Accurate Rifles Barrel Conversions Ruger Mini Remington 700 7400 750 AR10 AR15

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Whats the twist rate? The 308 will do what you asked but? Will your gun and can you, thats not something I can awnser. I say go for it get a good scope and see what she will do. 700 yards might be possable sure, I would look at some bullets in 155g and up for the 308 from an auto loader. Maybe an accubond or a SBT. The most limiting factor is your twist rate and COAL.

I use R15 in all my 308 wins gas or bolt it is the best in my opnion.

Jon

 

[TRG300WM]

16" is a little short for max velocity out of the 308w, 18 to 20 inches is optimal with a 168 gr bullet and a heaver bullet would like a longer barrel.
Competition user like barrels up to 32". My chronographed load out of a 26" barrel 1in11 308w will shoot a 175gr SMK with 46.5 gr of H-4895 210GMM primer at an AV 2848 fps and ES of 22….. If you are interested here's a link to BARREL LENGTH AND THE PRECISION RIFLE in particular they discuss the 308w. and why shorter barrels may often be better... the link has probably been posted before. SWAT Article BARREL LENGTH

 

[liltank]

Whats the twist rate? The 308 will do what you asked but? Will your gun and can you, thats not something I can awnser. I say go for it get a good scope and see what she will do. 700 yards might be possable sure, I would look at some bullets in 155g and up for the 308 from an auto loader. Maybe an accubond or a SBT. The most limiting factor is your twist rate and COAL.

I use R15 in all my 308 wins gas or bolt it is the best in my opnion.

Jon

I completely agree. I use the 178 BTHP in my 18" barrel. I use 43grn IMR 4895, with 210M's. I get around 2450fps. With my current load I can get to 580yds w/ .75-.5 MOA accuracy and enough energy w/ speed too take whitetail. That's plenty for the short barrel rifle I own. Varget, RL15 may give you better speed. My suggestion would be to stick with .308 and get a 20 or 22" barrel. You might be able to sell the 16" to help supplement the purchase of the new barrel. I second the use of 155's and look at 168's.

Tank

 

[WildRose]

I forgot the most obvious question.

How does your rifle shoot now? What are your best consistent groups now at 100, 200, 300?

 

[JDogg]

Thanks for all the info guys. Honestly I have not done alot of shooting with this gun. I've spent most of my time lately with my 6.8AR. I have shot some 130 grain Barnes and some 150 grain SGK at 100yds that shot under an MOA. I have yet to mess with the heavier projectiles yet. The barrel is a 1-10. I have a good friend at D9 Firearms that can hook me up with a better and longer barrel if I want, I'm just trying to figure out if that is the best option right now. If I could accomplish lethal shots out to 700yds with my setup, then I'm cool with that for now. I really want to get some time behind the trigger practicing long shots and learning the technique. If I'm going to blow the thing apart and start over then I think I really want a .260 or 6.5creedmoore. Also I would probably start reloading the .308 with Varget, since I've been using that and am fairly familiar with it.

So what are your thoughts now?

 

[JDogg]

Okay one more question guys. I just did some looking around at the 150 grain range projectiles. Some folks are recomending the 155 scenars. Do any of you have any experience with those?

 

[WildRose]

Thanks for all the info guys. Honestly I have not done alot of shooting with this gun. I've spent most of my time lately with my 6.8AR. I have shot some 130 grain Barnes and some 150 grain SGK at 100yds that shot under an MOA. I have yet to mess with the heavier projectiles yet. The barrel is a 1-10. I have a good friend at D9 Firearms that can hook me up with a better and longer barrel if I want, I'm just trying to figure out if that is the best option right now. If I could accomplish lethal shots out to 700yds with my setup, then I'm cool with that for now. I really want to get some time behind the trigger practicing long shots and learning the technique. If I'm going to blow the thing apart and start over then I think I really want a .260 or 6.5creedmoore. Also I would probably start reloading the .308 with Varget, since I've been using that and am fairly familiar with it.

So what are your thoughts now?

I'd just try staying with the same set up you are using then for now and see if you can still shoot under 1 MOA at 300.

If you can then you should be able to hold MOA at 700.

You will have to stay as suggested with the lighter bullets though to keep any decent velocity at all at those ranges.

Of course the .260 is going to out perform the .308 if you decide to go that way but if you are happy with what you have now no sense spending the money till you are ready to do so on the change over.

Generally though even out of the longer barrels the .308 you are limited to about 600yds max for anything bigger than coyotes.

 

[JDogg]

Thanks WR,

Your thoughts confirm mostly what I had been thinking. Although I was convinced I would have to get into the heavier bullets. Looks like the concensus is to stay in the 150 range so thats where I will start.

Okay so my plan was to order a fairly simple Leupold with a elevation turret and probably mil-dot reticle. Something either to 10-12 power. Once I got it doped I'd get a custom marked turret. I'm working on budget, but I want to get equipment that will do the job. So what optic would I spend the least on and still be capable and suitable for the job? and how much would that be?

 

[WildRose]

Thanks WR,

Your thoughts confirm mostly what I had been thinking. Although I was convinced I would have to get into the heavier bullets. Looks like the concensus is to stay in the 150 range so thats where I will start.

Okay so my plan was to order a fairly simple Leupold with a elevation turret and probably mil-dot reticle. Something either to 10-12 power. Once I got it doped I'd get a custom marked turret. I'm working on budget, but I want to get equipment that will do the job. So what optic would I spend the least on and still be capable and suitable for the job? and how much would that be?

I've shot Jack Rabbits out to 700 with my 4.5-14x44 Conquests.

I've shot coyotes at the same range with a 3.5-10x50 Leupold.

If 700 is your max then I don't really see the need to go beyond 16x unless you plan on very small targets.

One of the best buys out there though is the 6x18x40 VXII's if you're on a tight budget. Give Ebay and Sniper's hide classifieds a look as well as the classifieds here.

You don't HAVE to spend a ton to get a scope that'll work at these ranges. I have a 3-9X50 mil dot on my Mini 14 in 6.8spc and it's more than adequate out to 600yds even on coyotes.