18" barrel in the 308

[Swifty]

I am looking at purchasing a Savage M10 with an 18" barrel. Can I get 600yds accuracy out of an 18" barrel? What would be the max distance? I would like to push 150-168gr pills. I am thinking that the 175s would be too heavy. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Nomad]

Have used a scout M1A out to 500 meters with standard ball ammo......
With Factory or hand loads you should be able to do that with no problem.....

 

[aramarine6]

Barrel length won't be an issue at 600 yards. A shorter barrel will generally give you better accuracy than a longer barrel with all other things being equal. A shorter barrel is a stiffer one and has less "whip" when the bullet goes down the tube. Also... what are your expectations of "accuracy" at that range?

 

[Swifty]

I would like to get .5-.75MOA accuracy. I will be reloading. But, further inspection of the rifle shows it to have a 20" barrel. So, I know I can achieve 600 with that, and prob a little more. I am thinking of running 165gr NBTs through it. Havent bought it yet, I need to sell another rifle first, but I think I have a buyer.

 

[aramarine6]

20 inch barrel with a good load and practice. 1000 yards is totally reachable.

 

[rick523]

20 inch barrel with a good load and practice. 1000 yards is totally reachable.

+1 using 175smk's&varget. Not me but one of my shooting buddies, I personaly have a 26" barrel,I like em long

 

[Swifty]

1K would be fun to play at but my limitations would be in the 600-700yd mark. that's just me though. I wouldnt think that I would need 175s to hit this yardage would I? And the Varget would be very nice excpet for the fact that it is non-existant around here and has been that way for a very long time now. I am thinking about 8208XBR. heard good things about that powder in the 308. I run it in y 22-250 so I have it to test.

 

[aramarine6]

Put it like this. Anything a 168 can do the 175s can do better. Unless your launching the 168's hundreds of feet faster than the 175s you are not going to be able to overcome the better BC of the 175s.

 

[roninflag]

i don't understand why such a short barrel . if there is any wind it will harder. i like a 6.5-284 with at least a 26" barrel.

 

[aramarine6]

i don't understand why such a short barrel . if there is any wind it will harder. i like a 6.5-284 with at least a 26" barrel.

Totally different cartridge and ballistics. 308 is very efficient in shorter barrels compared to a caliber like the 6.5/284. Which is optimized in a 26in tube. 6.5 bullets also have better BCs. But depending on what he plans on doing with the rifle it maybe exactly what he needs. I bought a 308 with a 16.5 barrel. I'm not going to set any speed records but hunting in the thick Northwoods of Wisconsin it is perfectly matched for my conditions and game.

 

[Swifty]

Thats very true about the 175 BC. This will be a hunting/ steel ringing rifle. maximum distacne on mule deer and under would be at 500yds. Like aramarine6 stated , the 308 fairs very well with a short thick barrel. I know this and the weight will be down compared to a long thick barrel.

 

[rick523]

Swifty, let me know how the 8208XBR works out for ya, I've got a couple of pounds of that I bought to try in a 223, but went back to Benchmark. I see your a fellow Hoosier.

 

[Swifty]

Will do rick. It might be a minute befoe i do it though. We will see. Check your messages, I sent you a PM.

 

[MudRunner2005]

20 inch barrel with a good load and practice. 1000 yards is totally reachable.

My old custom 7 .308 (got stolen in '08) had an M24 barrel cut down to 20" finished length w/ an 11* recessed match crown and it would stack 'em. Even out to 1,000 with no problem. My gunsmith that built it for me took it out back and did a 1K test on it...Said it passed with flying colors. He shoots 1K Benchrest tournaments, so I took his word for it, that the gun would shoot better than I could. And when I got it and did some shooting....Man, he wasn't lying! I was blown away, even with factory loaded Hornady TAP 168 HPBT (LE red box) ammo! LOL