Which .308 Win Magazine allows longest COAL

[1stmarine]

Fellow members,
I am on a quest for the magazine that will allow me the longest possible overal lenght out of the .308 win cartrige so I would love your feedback if anynoe has measured the max length and maybe tested function on their magazines including the make and model and/or where they can be found.
Aside other considerations the purpose is for autoloader long range using 175 to 190 grain VLDs with the new superformance ball powder I am experimenting with.

These are the platforms I have:

M1A magazine and compatible variants
SR-25 (Knights)/DPMS LR-308 and all compatible variants
AR-10 magazines and compatible variants
FAL metric variants

Saiga and FNAR systems are discarded for this purpose


Once I study this I will go for the new magazines and/or new 24"-26" barrel if I have to. I do not know yet.

Cheers,
E.

 

[VA27]

Since the guns you have listed are all 'military' type guns, those magazines are all gonna be about the same size lengthwise, since they're set up for the NATO spec round. That means even if you had a mag custom made to take longer rounds, it wouldn't fit any of those firearms without serious mods to the firearm itself.

My suggestion is to re-barrel an M1 Garand to .308 and then load the rounds as long as you want.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I believe the M14 style (M1A/AR10) well give you the longest OAL.

 

[1stmarine]

Thanks folks.
You are right as these are military based you will find these tailored pretty much under the same pattern but also I think that you will be surprised of the differences. 1/8 of an inch doesn't seem much but it could be in order to achieve extra fps or sustain healthy pressure. With the AR-15 we have some interesting differences lets say between a orlite and a cammega that gives you some nice extra room.

I was actually looking if folks could measure the COAL in the different models. I am going to post some I have here so everyone can use for reference if they want to get 'creative' with a long range project as I have.
The idea is to reproduce and improve these loads using the new superformance hodgdon powders. A 178gr bullet moving close to 2800fps not
bad at all but I think I can do better.

http://www.hornady.com/store/308-Win-178-gr-BTHP-Superformance-Match/

When I say long range I am talking officialy 600 yards to 900 yards and more if I can. Past that I have other chamberings.

Thanks again for your interest.

 

[USSR]

The idea is to reproduce and improve these loads using the new superformance hodgdon powders. A 178gr bullet moving close to 2800fps not
bad at all but I think I can do better.

The 178gr Amax is a great match bullet, that doubles as a big game (deer) bullet. FWIW, here is the load development I have done with it in .308:

Case: Hornady Match
Bullet: 178gr Amax
Primer: Fed 210M
Powder: 46.1gr Varget
COAL: 2.84"
Velocity: 2754fps

Case: Hornady Match
Bullet: 178gr Amax
Primer: Fed 210M
Powder: 46.5gr RL15
COAL: 2.84"
Velocity: 2750fps

The RL15 load was very accurate, while with Varget, a 45.8gr load at 2731fps was more accurate. I have no experience with the new Hodgdon powders. Hope that helps.

Don

 

[50below]

used to run 2.850" through my M-1A without problems.