Good .308 barrel Length?

[hawk1]

Ok... so I bought a brand new (never been shot) DPMS LR308T a few weeks back. I'm planning on using it as my hunting rifle. I bought it thinking I could easily trade or sell the current 16" barrel and get a 20" barrel. But, the more I take it out and play with it, (the gun!!!) the more I'm considering just keeping it as is. So my question to the board is: At 200 yards would I be able to keep my 1" groups with a 16" barrel? Or should I just order a 20"?

What I'd really like to do is zero it in for 400 yards, but my gut is saying that's a little outside its range? Or is it?

Can someone please give me some insight into this?! I'd really like to get some quality input before I shoot it and am unable to trade or sell the barrel as NEW.

Thanks,
Hawk1

[ColoEnthusiast]

If 200 yards is on the farther end of you expected range, why not keep the 16"? You lose some velocity, but accuracy should be very close to a longer, similar profile barrel. From what I have read and seen, accuracy is not dependent on longer barrel length, but heavier profile.
Bet that is a sweet little .308 rifle!! Let us know how it does...

[Backinblackrifles]

I think more than length it is about the quality of the barrel. I would shoot it at the 400 and if it is inside 4in. than it is a great rifle if it is within 5in. it is still a good rifle and for hunting I would keep it until it is shot out. Pittsburgh police did very well in the international sniper competition with a 14in. barrel. Now personally for weight balance and so on I like an 18in. barrel but that is just me.

Long story short you will not know until you try.

[hawk1]

[quote=ColoEnthusiast;194568]If 200 yards is on the farther end of you expected range, why not keep the 16"? You lose some velocity, but accuracy should be very close to a longer, similar profile barrel. From what I have read and seen, accuracy is not dependent on longer barrel length, but heavier profile.
Bet that is a sweet little .308 rifle!! Let us know how it does...

What do you mean by heavier profile? I'm relatively new to AR style guns so I'm still learning things all the time!
Do you think, I (being a relatively decent shot) would be ok taking 400 yard shots with this gun?! I'm looking for some advice before I break in a new barrel!!!

[ColoEnthusiast]

Heavier profile is the thickness of the barrel. Thicker steel reduces harmonics and generally gives better accuracy. Other factors are involved, but it is generally true. Old school thinking was, if the barrel is short accuracy suffers. That is siimply not true. I would be happy with the 16" barrel due to the light weight and quick handling. Just personal preference.
If you can shoot 1" groups at 100 yards that is very good IMO. From that you can extrapolate that the rifle has the capability of approx 4" groups at 400 yards. To do that though, would require high powered optics and practice.
I personally like S African surplus for sighting in and plinking. I get good accuracy with it, but results vary from rifle to rifle on ammo. For top-notch accuracy though, you're going to want some premium ammo like Federal GMM, other high quality brand or handloads.
From what I understand those are great rifles. I checked one out once and it had an excellent feel. I was amazed at the weight! Very light for a .308 SA rifle..

[hawk1]

Makes sense!!! Your insight has got me thinking I will just keep what I've got and at least give it a shot! The S frican surplus ammo, where would I find that? The book says to shoot only domestic ammo and avoid stuff that is lacquered. Does it REALLY make a difference?

[Tim K]

Shorter barrels are generally more accurate than longer barrels of the same profile because they are stiffer. Velocity loss may not be much of an issue either. I read about some research LA SWAT did where they cut a barrel back 1" at a time from 24" or 26" all the way back to 16" or 18". I don't recall the specifics, but the velocity loss was so minimal that they settled on 18" length for their tactical type precision rifles.

If your current combination shoots to your satisfaction, save your money and go buy some reloading equipment. You'll be surprised how much more accuracy you can find by fine tuning a load to your individual rifle.