308 Win Barrel Length

[Ketosan]

Time to put a new barrel on my Savage Tactical 308. This gun will be used for hunting and target shooting. Looking for recommendations on barrel length and any other recommendations that will make this a satisfactory change. The new barrel will be threaded for a suppressor. Bullets weights that will be used will vary from 150s to 175s. Thanks for your inputs.

 

[watercam]

Depends upon your maximum range, bullet choice and desired weight. If you plan upon shooting past 600 yds. my belief is that 24" would be a minimum. With 175s or heavier you could make it to 1000 yds. but obviously longer is better past that mid-range distance. That said a gent came to one of our club matches with a stock Remington Tactical with a 20" bbl. shooting Fed.Match 168s. Surprisingly he made it to 1000 yds. but could only hold the 44" black at best. Returned with a 28" bbl. and 190s and did much better.
I realize that many like extra heavy contours but for hunting/tactical where you will not be expending a large number of rounds at a single sitting lighter contours can shoot very well if you are humping hills all day.

 

[mac86951]

Depends upon your maximum range, bullet choice and desired weight. If you plan upon shooting past 600 yds. my belief is that 24" would be a minimum. With 175s or heavier you could make it to 1000 yds. but obviously longer is better past that mid-range distance. That said a gent came to one of our club matches with a stock Remington Tactical with a 20" bbl. shooting Fed.Match 168s. Surprisingly he made it to 1000 yds. but could only hold the 44" black at best. Returned with a 28" bbl. and 190s and did much better.
I realize that many like extra heavy contours but for hunting/tactical where you will not be expending a large number of rounds at a single sitting lighter contours can shoot very well if you are humping hills all day.

Agreed 100%. Longer the better for target shooting, depending on expected life I'd recommend 26-28 with a profile that could be set back and rechambered to 24 later.

Hunting and tactical, 26" if you can manage it, otherwise 24".

Next question will be what contour, which should be as heavy as you are willing to hike with it during hunts.

 

[Dshooter]

For minimum weight but still target capable, 22". Ask me how I know. I still get 185 Bergers out at 2730, not maxed, which is 1000yds all day, and I do it. Reliably shoot 168s at 2700 and 175s around 2660 for accuracy. Long barrels are great too, I'm not bashing them, but hunters often like minimal barrel to do the job.