what specs on a 308 barrel?

[jlorenzo]

I bought a Howa barreled action from Brownells for 250$ on black friday a few years ago, factory barrel shoots ok but nothing special. I will be shooting 155s probably 80% of the time but I would like the ability to play with something like the 178gr ELD. No idea on what kind of throat would be best. Thinking a 10 or 11 twist. I will shoot some casual local high power and just shoot for fun on my own. How would 24" do with the 155s? The factory barrel is 20", I like the way it handles but it is a bit of a handful recoil wise, it is something close to medium palma I think. Am getting 2750 with Varget and 155s. Would like a nice bump in speed. Any suggestions?

 

[rijndael]

I shoot 155s in my 24" 1:10 Heavy Palma. It works fine.

If you want a speed bump, I'd look in to a longer throat to seat them much longer. Seating longer means you'll gain extra case capacity. My throat is on the shoter side, it's a Bisley chamber. It ends up at 2825 with Varget, 45'ish grains, IIRC.

 

[Roughrice]

I occasionally shoot F/TR matches with my factory Rem 700 Police with 24" 5R 11T barrel.
I mostly used 168 A-Max w/ 44gr Varget which got 2750 and shot great.
I'm now working with 185 Bergers but haven't had time to complete load development but was using slightly less powder and was looking good.
My buddy shoots a 20" Rem 700 with 10T and 178 ELD a little slower than mine at muzzle but were not much different in velo @ 600 yard line.
Both have a fairly long throat and are factory configurations... just for you to compare.

 

[CJ6]

I have 1 10 twist....the other 3 are 12 twist. For your bullet weights 12 is more than enough twist.

 

[allen529]

When I was shooting .308 the 10 twist tubes was closets to the best all around twist rate up to about 200 gr. It seemed that velocities were best in 155 pushed hard to 1k with 28" to 30+" length but could still be competitive with good wind reading to about 24". But with the newer powders available (yea right) its subject to have changed some.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

I would put on a 26" remington varmint taper. 1-12 twist. The .308 was developed with a 1-12 twist to shoot 150 and 173 gr bullets. If you swing to the heavier bullets a 1-10 would be much better. Find a reamer for M-852 ammo. throat will be for Mag length ammo 2.282" PTG makes a 2156 reamer for the 155.5 Sierra Palma bullet. But your stuck with the light bullets. Make up 2 dummy rounds one with a 178 and one with your 155. measure base to ogive and see if there is enough neck to seat out the 155's. If there is enough room Have a reamer made to fit your 178's

 

[Bill Norris]

I bought a Howa barreled action from Brownells for 250$ on black friday a few years ago, factory barrel shoots ok but nothing special. I will be shooting 155s probably 80% of the time but I would like the ability to play with something like the 178gr ELD. No idea on what kind of throat would be best. Thinking a 10 or 11 twist. I will shoot some casual local high power and just shoot for fun on my own. How would 24" do with the 155s? The factory barrel is 20", I like the way it handles but it is a bit of a handful recoil wise, it is something close to medium palma I think. Am getting 2750 with Varget and 155s. Would like a nice bump in speed. Any suggestions?

Back in the summer last year I tried VV-N135 in my custom Rem 700 .308 with 1 - 11 1/4 Tw. 24 inch barrel @ 100 yds. with the 155 gr. Bergers at different seating depths. My rifle liked .040 OTL best. The groups were consistent sub 1/4 inch. Did not chrono yet.

LAPUA F/F BRASS
155 GR. BERGER VLD/M 2.190 O M 2.928 COL T/L B S .385 B C .472
POWDER VV-N135 43.0 GR. PRIMER FED 210GM M
SEATED @ 2.150 O M .040 OTL