F-TR Barrel length debate

[enginedoctor]

Hey There,

Just bought myself a Savage model 12 Palma rifle chambered in .308. Reason..... the stock and the action.
Now I have a decision to make, 28 or a 30 inch barrel length.
Is there really evidence out there that supports one over the other, or is it more a matter of choice. I need some help deciding.
The ingredients are Lapua brass, Fed. GMM primers, Alliant 2000mr powder, topped with Berger 185 Hyb.

 

[Dos XX]

Can you make weight with a 30"? If so, that's what I would do. I would also use the heaviest contour I could and make weight, short of making the rifle too front heavy. Most F/TR shooters I know are using 30" or even longer if they can make weight. I use 32" myself.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I use 32" myself.

Thats because youre an animal! Borderline superhuman.

 

[Dos XX]

I use 32" myself.

Thats because youre an animal! Borderline superhuman.

I can't lift a rest, though.

 

[Pappy42]

I'm gonna vote for a matter of choice. Velocity seems to vary more for me, between barrel makes than a couple of inches of barrel length. Check the drop and drift charts at distances you'll be shooting and see if there is a significant difference in the numbers.

Also factor in "follow through". At my age, my ability to follow through a shot doesn't seem to be as good as my younger days; so I tend toward a shorter barrel. However, I shoot mostly at 600 yard mid range, so the distance at which most of your shooting may indicate a longer barrel for you.

 

[boltman223]

I'm gonna vote for a matter of choice. Velocity seems to vary more for me, between barrel makes than a couple of inches of barrel length. Check the drop and drift charts at distances you'll be shooting and see if there is a significant difference in the numbers.

Also factor in "follow through". At my age, my ability to follow through a shot doesn't seem to be as good as my younger days; so I tend toward a shorter barrel. However, I shoot mostly at 600 yard mid range, so the distance at which most of your shooting may indicate a longer barrel for you.

Im with him^^^.For me The gun handling/fallow through/recoil management, whatever you want to call it is more important than ~50fps that two inches more (28" vs 30") of barrel gets you.

I've also Wondered if the longer barrel has more of an effect on gun handling issues. Seeing that somebody else sees it makes me believe it especially Somone like bryan litz.

We've tried barrels from 26" to 30"; 1:9" and 1:10" for the 215's. All work; it does seem like the shorter barrels are less sensitive meaning they provide better groups across various different set up's, rear bags, etc. With the longer barrels you better not alter 1 ounce of pressure on the rifle anywhere for any shot or you'll be looking at a flier.


-Bryan

 

[Dos XX]

Then go 26"?

 

[boltman223]

Then go 26"?

Maybe worth trying. And maybe at that point there is enough velocity loss to make a difference against 28" Barrels and the people who can shoot 30 inchers without a problem.

I lose enough point to shooter error (not wind reading, that's a whole other story) t that I don't want to exaggerate it with a 30" barrel.

Maybe I will do a test and see how much of a difference there is in velocity between 30" and 26". 26" just might be worth if.

 

[Dos XX]

I'm not voting for velocity alone. I'm voting for mass and velocity. If you can handle a rifle better with a shorter barrel, by all means shoot a shorter barrel. I personally like longer barrels with heavier contour.

All of this is personal choice stuff and really a poll on a forum doesn't help a guy much, because he needs to try things out and figure out what works for him. It's just a barrel. You are gonna need another one soon, so pick one and try it. After a couple, you will have it figured out.

 

[aj300mag]

I'm gonna vote for a matter of choice. Velocity seems to vary more for me, between barrel makes than a couple of inches of barrel length. Check the drop and drift charts at distances you'll be shooting and see if there is a significant difference in the numbers.

Also factor in "follow through". At my age, my ability to follow through a shot doesn't seem to be as good as my younger days; so I tend toward a shorter barrel. However, I shoot mostly at 600 yard mid range, so the distance at which most of your shooting may indicate a longer barrel for you.

Im with him^^^.For me The gun handling/fallow through/recoil management, whatever you want to call it is more important than ~50fps that two inches more (28" vs 30") of barrel gets you.

I've also Wondered if the longer barrel has more of an effect on gun handling issues. Seeing that somebody else sees it makes me believe it especially Somone like bryan litz.

We've tried barrels from 26" to 30"; 1:9" and 1:10" for the 215's. All work; it does seem like the shorter barrels are less sensitive meaning they provide better groups across various different set up's, rear bags, etc. With the longer barrels you better not alter 1 ounce of pressure on the rifle anywhere for any shot or you'll be looking at a flier.


-Bryan

Bryan is talking in reference to shooting the 215gr Hybrids. You better have your stuff in a group if you're going to launch those bullets. The 185gr Hybrids are a lot more forgiving as far as gun handling techniques are concerned.

 

[Dos XX]

Haven't shot 185 hybrids. With 185 juggernauts, a lot of people get accuracy around 2700-2770 ish fps. I run them right at 2750 in a 30" barrel. Based on my primer pocket life, I wouldn't want to try it with a 28" barrel.

That said, this is with a chamber with a fairly short chamber. A longer chamber might have gotten me there with a 28" barrel.

gstaylorg has me thinking I might want to look at Quickload.

 

[Taildrag15X]

I also run a 32" barrel on my .308 Win.......

 

[willbas]

I have a 29 inch now but by the end of the month I should have my 32 inch in.

 

[boltman13]

One advantage of a 30" barrel is that you can rechamber with a new throat once and still have sufficient velocity for 1K, if you still are happy with the rifling beyond the throat.

 

[Taildrag15X]

One advantage of a 30" barrel is that you can rechamber with a new throat once and still have sufficient velocity for 1K, if you still are happy with the rifling beyond the throat.

I haven't had to cut back my .308 Win. yet, but my 30" .223 Rem is now 26 1/2" or so and still throws good......