.308 Barrel Length?

I have a 16" barreled M1a, it's a LOT of fun to shoot... but it's loud (particularly with the SAI muzzle brake, which is quite effective.) I think the sweet spot for a short-barreled .308 is 18"-20" depending on your goals. I also have a 24" Savage model 10, but that has a purpose... it certainly isn't handy-dandy like my 16", that's for sure.

I have dinked around with powders... faster is better at reducing muzzle blast. Stay away from ball powders like H335 and BL-C(2) and stick with extruded powders. My go-to for the Socom is IMR3031, which I've found to be the best balance of velocity and efficiency with mid-weight bullets in short barrels.

I recently built an AR-10 for a friend, with a 18" barrel, and using the KAW brake that is very similar (almost exact copy) of my SAI brake on my M1a. Just that extra 2" helps with the blast (using surplus M80 ammos...)

Minimum for me in .308 is 18 inches but I would want a threaded 18 so I could put a comp or flash hider on.

My Savage Scout Gen II is an 18 inch barrel. Of course it is threaded and has a flash suppressor as standard. All in all I like the rifle but would not want the now shorter 16 inch barrels in a Scout GIII.

I have a PTR 91 with an 18 inch barrel. Its a 308 so if your used to 223 then it will definitely have some blast. If I was going for a bolt gun I would go with a 20 inch barrel. No interest in a 16 inch 308.

I have the GSR with 18 inches, synthetic stock, and factory break. There is a bit of a blast with it, bit it isn’t overwhelming.

JCooperfan1911 said:

Thanks
Not what I’m going after, chief.
This will be for a scout style rifle.

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Picked up a 308 Savage Scout for predator hunting. 18" barrel (+ 2" flash suppressor). Very handy little rifle, but not a fan of forward mounted scopes so mounted scope in standard mounts before it ever went to the range.

Prior to first trip to range, already had a 30% disability from VA for hearing loss. Failed to seat left ear muff properly and one shot did permanent damage to left ear, increasing tennitis considerably, so the muzzle brake came off that day! Could even feel the concussion in my fillings on the range (covered firing points)!

rbernie said:

I've hunted a fair bit with scout style rifles, and I didn't find barrel length to be as important to 'handiness' as much as receiver shape, stock fit, and rifle balance. A good scout rifle, IMO, should be easy to carry at the balance point and slightly muzzle heavy at the front receiver ring to 'hang' well offhand.

Given that, I'd probably do an 18" with threaded muzzle - just to have threads in case you decide to use a linear comp for extended range sessions.

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^^^^This. The 18" barrel is very handy and even w/conventional scope mounting still maintains slight muzzle heavy characteristic, making it a nice offhand rifle. Did replace the 10 round mag w/5 round to improve point of balance, and altered pistol grip a bit.

Nature Boy said:

How about 26”?

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26" is good!

LoonWulf said:

Thus id probably go with a 16.5+ linear comp.

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Sounds like I may need to try the linear comp next.

Regards,
hps

I sold my Ruger .308 with an 18 1/2 bbl because simply put, it didnt do what I wanted. It was handy and great to carry, and dropped every deer I shot it at, but I was never content with its accuracy. I recently got a new .308 (mauser moel 18) in .308 with a 22 inch bbl, and it made me realize just how much bark that short bbl gave (same handloads used) and just what accuracy potential I was missing out on. For me...esp. with a scout type rifle, I would think accuracy would be paramount and the name of the game.