7.62 x 51 out of shorter barrels

[hak]

My current LR-308 sports a 24" fluted barrel, and i'm about to order a 7.62 x 51mm cal MBR/carbine and have a choice of a 16" or 18" barrel... (real 16" not 14.5 + 2" flashhider)

looking for data on pros/cons of both lengths. i assume less MV and more noise/flash out of shorter barrel, but wondering where the sweet spot lies for a smaller MBR/carbine with this caliber.

for the folks out there with M1A's (and there seems to be legions of you, no pun intended) and got the 16" socom or the 18" scout - or BOTH, do you ever find yourself shooting your socom and wish you had your scout? (or a longer barrel) or those of you with 18" Scouts ever wish you had a shorter barrel?

thanks,

Hak

 

[danweasel]

While I have no "evidence" or "proof" I have asked this same question of Sprinfield concerning the M1A. The representitive stated that I can expect about 200fps less out of the 16" versus the 18".

I deleted the email but this should snswer you question. Plus, in my opinion, the socom is ugly while the scout is still #1 on my wish list!

 

[H2O MAN]

I have fired many rounds from the 16.25" barrel on a SOCOM, but
18.0" is as short as I will go on any of my personal MK14 rifles.
One has a medium heavy barrel, something you won't find available in 16.25"

Decreased muzzle blast and increased velocity are the pros.
I can't think of any cons when choosing the 18.0" over the 16.25"
and I've never wished I had a barrel shorter than 18.0".

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Even from an 18.5 inch tube the blast and flash are "impressive".

 

[H2O MAN]

351 WINCHESTER Even from an 18.5 inch tube the blast and flash are "impressive".

Both can easily be tamed with SEI's DC Vortex and M14DC 0.30 Caliber Sound
Suppressor as shown on this 18.0" medium heavy barreled MK14 SEI Mod 0

 

[TexasRifleman]

The estimates above are what I have seen too, about 100fps per inch loss between 20 and 16 inch barrel length.

 

[Lazuris]

It's amazing how people think. They are willing to pay big money to shorten their rifle, while droping even bigger money to lengthen their gun.

 

[H2O MAN]

Amazing

 

[Reid73]

in my opinion, the socom is ugly while the scout is still #1 on my wish list!

According to me they are both horribly, unredeemably ugly; but beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

H2O MAN is a real enthusiast, and if I were you I would listen to his advice.

 

[rundm]

plain and simple, you are not going to lose 100fps/in on a 308. from 24in down to around 18, you might lose somewheres around 100-150fps total but that is about it. muzzle blast is high but you can put a flash suppressor on it to keep flash down. a sound suppressor would not be a bad idea but probably not needed to shoot well. They can and will reach out to 1k with an 18in barrel and do it well if need be. would probably have to have a canted scope base to do it but nothing to hard. look at lowlights videos on you tube or snipershide for an 18in barrel shooting to 1k yards.

 

[WNTFW]

There is an article on the Tac-Ops sight specifically discussing .308 barrel lengths.

You need to go here:
http://www.tacticaloperations.com/

it is under articles - SWAT Dec 2000 - sorry I can't link it directly.

20" to 18" lost 32 FPS

 

[Dan Crocker]

According to me they are both horribly, unredeemably ugly; but beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Who cares if it's ugly? As long as it works! Kinda like a wife...

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Before Springfield made the Scout and Socom, I had an M1A shortened to something similar to H2O MAN. I clocked my 147 ammo at around 2400 FPS. Seemed like shortening the barrel to a length similar to the AK-47 brought the velocity down enough that targets might not get any more "shock" effect than they do with the AK round (given FMJ ammo).