.308 in a 16" barrel...does this work?

[Boba Fett]

Not sure I'd go 16" but not sure I wouldn't either. I will be dropping it down to 18" for sure:

http://www.sniperschool.com/sniper-rifle-barrel-length/

 

[cottonmouth]

Just got mt SOCOM II and haven't shot it much, all I know for sure is that it makes a helluva noise when it goes off!!

J.B.

 

[Toonces]

General Disarray, I would suspect that the comments about diminished performance were directed at the DSA OSW with the 11" barrel. Those I have heard described as having vicious blast and 7.62x39 performance, making for a very heavy and pointless carbine. Mind you, I have zero facts to back that up, but I would suspect that the muzzle velocity drop from 16" to 11" is three or four times the drop when going from 21" to 16". We're not talking about the same five inches.

The 14.5" 308 I shot (a POF-308, slightly customized) with a muzzle brake had the most terrible blast of anything I've shot or been near, including a .50 BMG with a brake and a variety of magnum handguns. It was bordering on painful with 33db hearing protection at an outdoor range.

OTOH my 18" PTR-91 wasn't too terrible. I have not shot a 16" .308 so I can't comment on that exact configuration.

I have a 16" DSA with no brake and 29" 50 BMG. They are not even close to comparable in any way when it comes to blast/noise. That being said, I wish the DSA would grow 2" into an 18" barrel (and a standard gas system). I supposed that 14.5" POF is pinned/welded, so changing muzzle devices is a major PITA. The way you describe the POF I doubt you are shooting it much, if at all?

 

[rundm]

I just chronoed my loads yesterday for an 18.5 in rem 700 sps-t. with 155gr lapua's and varget, I got 2700+fps. with 168gr amax's, I got 2650 fps. with the 175gr jlk's I still got 2500 on my loads. This gun also has a brake on it and it is not much different loudness or blast wise as my 20in ai with brake. I do where hearing protection at all times while shooting so I do not worry about it as much as someone who goes hunting with their guns.

 

[rfurtkamp]

The 14.5" 308 I shot (a POF-308, slightly customized) with a muzzle brake

That's the brake.

8.5" out of my Vector Hk-51 clones is less than the infamous Bushmaster AR brakes.

Most muzzle brakes amplify sound to a near-painful level, especially to people on the other sides of the shooter.

I was promised flash, bang, and boom when I went 8.5" in .308, it's not there on semi. Boom isn't terrible, although I wouldn't want to do it indoors, but well, that's true out of a 20" .308 too.

And with a can, it's extremely pleasant.

 

[rizbunk77]

The saiga 308 in 16 inch barrel is an awesome weapon, I own one and love it. It is the most accurate AK I own. With regard to ballistics and loads, consider that you can load the 125 gr. Nozzler BT and basically have a hot rod X39.

 

[jbkebert]

The diffrence between my 15" encore barrel and my 28" encore barrel is a average of 238 fps. This hand cannon will print one inch groups of less all day long. I have been able to hit cantalopes at 250 yards and the 8" gongs at 300. Plenty accurate for me.

 

[X-Rap]

Hey, if that's what you want, have at it. Just be aware of the huge muzzle blast you will be generating (won't be popular with the guys next to you on the firing line).

Don

Yep your asking for trouble dragging that noise maker out.

 

[jbkebert]

It doesn't make anymore noise than my .375 H&H with a muzzle brake.

 

[kyjoe]

The 8 point buck I took with my Siaga .308 with a 16" bbl, didn't complain about the lack of velocity. He just died. I don't recall a fireball and remember thinking how managable the recoil was. I do not have a muzzle break.