Barrel length

[The Gun Pimp]

I in 12 will stabilise a 308 180gn bullet and probably a 190gn. I'm thinking Geordie Bloke's Remmy VSS would only be a 1 in 12.

[Demonic69]

My thinking on this.
If the powder has burnt out before the end of the barrel then any additional length is just adding friction and slowing the bullet down. So a longer barrel only has the advantage if you know the round, are reloading etc. A shorter barrel could work better if you're using factory ammo. But if you can tailor the round to the barrel then the extra length should give an increase in MV.
I could be wrong though :-)

[ovenpaa]

I always think a something in the 26" region is a good compromise, you can get a reasonable MV yet still have a rifle of reasonable proportions and I can confirm the 1:12 will certainly stabilise the more traditional bullets up to 190 grains such as the #2210 SMK

I have shot countless thousands of rounds of .308 out of 24"/26" barrels to 1000 yards with quite acceptable results.

[The Gun Pimp]

Couple of years ago, I built two FTR rifles - one for me and one for Laurie Holland.

They both ended up with identical 32 inch Bartlein barrels. We both worked up loads over the chrono - well in excess of 3000 fps with 155 bullets.

But, I had to chop two inches off my barrel as the rifle was over the weight limit. I lost 60 fps.

The rule of thumb is 25fps per inch but yes, obviously this will vary with the cartridge.

If you are just plinking out to 1000 yds, you'll get by with a 308 with a 24 or 26 inch barrel no probs but, to be competitive with a 308 at 1000 yards you will need every fps you can get. The top FTR shooters are almost achieving HME velocities.

[Mr_Logic]

26-inch will just about do, but you need a heavier bullet. Bryan Litz's latest works show that the BC of the bullet is considerably hampered by a slow twist. 13-twist is actually too slow for the Berger 155.5 to perform optimally, and 12-twist too slow for the 168 Hybrid.

So the longer the barrel and faster the twist, basically the better, but obviously there are other concerns. In this instance, choose the 26-inch barrel.

However, long range shooting with a 308 demands everything is geared for bullet performance, within your budget. I placed 6th at this year's Euros with a Savage (granted with Broughton barrel and Mik's stock), and I couldn't have done it with the rifle you're looking at. The Savage F/TR is £1500 from Osprey.

You know what you want - that's cool - I am just making sure you're aware that for long range shooting, it is not the most competitive choice.

[The Gun Pimp]

26-inch will just about do, but you need a heavier bullet. Bryan Litz's latest works show that the BC of the bullet is considerably hampered by a slow twist. 13-twist is actually too slow for the Berger 155.5 to perform optimally, and 12-twist too slow for the 168 Hybrid.

So the longer the barrel and faster the twist, basically the better, but obviously there are other concerns. In this instance, choose the 26-inch barrel.

However, long range shooting with a 308 demands everything is geared for bullet performance, within your budget. I placed 6th at this year's Euros with a Savage (granted with Broughton barrel and Mik's stock), and I couldn't have done it with the rifle you're looking at. The Savage F/TR is £1500 from Osprey.

You know what you want - that's cool - I am just making sure you're aware that for long range shooting, it is not the most competitive choice.

A 1 in 13.5 twist with 155.5 bullets seemed to work quite well for me - 3rd in the Europeans the last year I shot it.

[Mr_Logic]

It does work, but Litz's experiments show you lose BC as a result. It's not a case of rushing off and binning everything but if I'm buying a barrel, then I'll go one notch faster. So a 12 (or 12.5) for 155s, 11 for 168 Hybrids, and so on.

[The Gun Pimp]

Fair enough but I come from 'old skool' benchrest - never spin a bullet faster than you need to!

[BobSki]

You blokes have been amazing, thank you.

After reading this thread and other sources, I have discounted my initial considerations, largely due to the .338 being banned from Bisley and also due to the fact that shooting HME is very expensive with quite a hassle attached.

I may still look at replacing my lovely but old T4 with the AI .308 and if I do, I will go for the 26" barrel they offer. But, I am now looking at the 260 Rem and other 6mm rounds for the 1000 to 1500 yd ranges.
Finding a rifle in this calibre that I like is proving difficult. My quest continues.

[Matt]

26-inch will just about do, but you need a heavier bullet. Bryan Litz's latest works show that the BC of the bullet is considerably hampered by a slow twist. 13-twist is actually too slow for the Berger 155.5 to perform optimally, and 12-twist too slow for the 168 Hybrid.

So the longer the barrel and faster the twist, basically the better, but obviously there are other concerns. In this instance, choose the 26-inch barrel.

However, long range shooting with a 308 demands everything is geared for bullet performance, within your budget. I placed 6th at this year's Euros with a Savage (granted with Broughton barrel and Mik's stock), and I couldn't have done it with the rifle you're looking at. The Savage F/TR is £1500 from Osprey.

You know what you want - that's cool - I am just making sure you're aware that for long range shooting, it is not the most competitive choice.

A 1 in 13.5 twist with 155.5 bullets seemed to work quite well for me - 3rd in the Europeans the last year I shot it.

Mine seems to be ok Tom, did me ok when I started getting into gear using my new rifle this year, can't be too awful especially with the joint highest number of v bulls at the euros (F/TR)