308 rifling?

[HitmanHart54]

I'm building a f-class TR rifle on my 700 s/a. I was planning on using a Krieger 5R 1-10 MTU contour at 26". Do you feel I am heading in the right direction?
Thanks for the help

 

[uncleduke]

Just my 2 cents. If the rifle will be dedicated to F/TR consider a longer bbl. in a lighter contour to get the most velocity you can. An 11 twist can stabelize the more popular heavy bullets and you'll need to make weight. The MTU is great for a short bbl. Tactical rig but you'll be competing against shooters who are using high bc bullets at the highest accurate velocity possible. So that extra 4 inches adds up. This topic has been discussed extensively at Long Range target, the Palma/F-class/Service rifle site.

 

[HitmanHart54]

I wanted to try and keep the barrel length at 26". So if I wanted to use it for tactical/hunting it would be manageable. Do you think this is possible or do i need to go with the longer barrel?

On a side note, what website were you talking about?

Thanks for the help

 

[dreever]

I don't like those long barrels. To me they are unwieldy plus they don't fit worth crap in my gun vault! LOL!
My .308's 24 inches and I've shot it out to 1000 yards without a problem. That with a moderate load of Varget (43.3gr. CCI 250, Lapua brass) behind the Berger 185grain HPBT Long Range bullet. 2610 fps.
Accuracy ALWAYS trumps velocity in my book.

Danny

 

[uncleduke]

usrifleteams.com This topic is always debated among f-class shooters. In f/tr you have a total weight limit including bipod. 18.2# is roughly the limit. Weigh each component individually and see what you have left for the bbl. Yes 26" will get you there but you'll have to use heavy bullets. A 155 out of a 26" bbl. will be marginal. Ask your gunsmith to help sorting this out.

 

[dreever]

George Gardner of GA Precision does not recommend the MTU contour. Says it's to heavy for Tactical/hunting to lug around that's why they use the M25/M40 contour on thier builds. Since you mentioned Tactical/hunting you might want to consider this.

Danny

 

[deadlyswift]

If you just have to have a 26" barrel, I would go to a 12tw and shoot the 175gr. Bergers (LR BTs) or the SMKs. My current FTR rig has a 30" MTU barrel on it and I'm just making weight. I want more stock so in the furture with my new rig I will go to a smaller barrel. For me I like the 185s in a 11 tw so I use a 30" barrel to get the vel. A friend of mine is shooting the 175 SMKs out of a 30" barrel and does vey well. He is pushing them well over 2800fps. They are screaming, but he does well with the 175s even at 1000yds.

 

[HitmanHart54]

I'm thinking about a Bartlien #14(M40) contour 1-11.25 .299bore at 26". There are some blanks for sale on this site. Do you feel this is a better direction?

Thanks for all the help

 

[dreever]

The number 14 is what GA Precision spec's in 24 inch for thier top of the line Hospitaller.

Danny

 

[Longtrain]

I wanted to try and keep the barrel length at 26".
Thanks for the help

I'm shooting a 26" 1:10 twist Benchmark barrel, shot 175 SMK's, 180 & 190 JLKs and 190 Bergers out to 1K without issues. Longer barrels may give you a few more fps, but 26" isn't a deal breaker IMO.

Tony

 

[HitmanHart54]

That is my thinking also. The few more fps gains for a 4 inch longer barrel to me is just not worth having to lug it around if I use it for other things. I want to shoot mainly 175's and maybe some 185's. How do ya'll feel about the 11.25 twist?

 

[deadlyswift]

11.25tw will do fine for the 175, and 185gr bullets! Just IMO I would shoot the 175s in a 26" bbl. The 175gr Berger LR BTs really do well at 2750+. A 12tw will stablize the 185s but you need to push them 2725+ in a 12tw. That might run you into some pressure problems on a hot day with a 26" bbl, so the 11.25 will be the way to go, but for a 26" bbl I would take my chances with the 175s if shooting at 1000yrds. I like the 185s over the 175s for 1000yrd shooting so I use a 30" bbl, but that rifle is used for FTR only! So Luging it around is no more than from the truck to the firing line and back to the truck! Hope this helps. Good luck, and enjoy sending rounds down range!
Mark