Thoughts on cutting barrel down

View · by **RJWesleyIII** on Tue Jan 21, 2014 8:53 pm

So I traded a guy on the forum for a Ruger American rifle in .308, and I'm thinking about getting the barrel cut down and a brake installed. Right now the barrel is 22". What would be a good length? 18"? I will be going with a FSC30 which is 3" long. Thanks!
Bob

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View · by **OldmanFCSA** on Wed Jan 22, 2014 4:39 am

21.750" long
Optimum length for a 308WIN.

View · by **Erud** on Wed Jan 22, 2014 6:03 am

OldmanFCSA wrote:21.750" long
Optimum length for a 308WIN.

Optimum in what way?

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View · by **loose** on Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:44 am

What are you planning on doing with it?

View · by **brad3579** on Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:48 am

Erud wrote:
OldmanFCSA wrote:21.750" long
Optimum length for a 308WIN.

Optimum in what way?

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Pretty sure he was just joking about cutting off a 1/4"

View · by **Dakotared** on Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:09 am

brad3579 wrote:
Erud wrote:
OldmanFCSA wrote:21.750" long
Optimum length for a 308WIN.

Optimum in what way?

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Pretty sure he was just joking about cutting off a 1/4"

No he was not. read viewtopic.php?f=12&t=47489&p=494969#p494969 and you will under stand why he said that.

View · by **igofast** on Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:49 am

Assuming you aren't going to be doing benchrest in a hanger with it, anywhere in the 18-20" range is good. Much under 18", you have to start picking you powders/ammo to ensure complete burn - otherwise velocity drops off quicker. Still - lots of AR style .308's with 16" barrels out there. If you're not concerned about range, maybe even think about 14" and having the brake permanently attached.

Here's an interesting read: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/1 ... -accuracy/

View · by **Erud** on Wed Jan 22, 2014 10:05 am

Dakotared wrote:
brad3579 wrote:
Erud wrote:
Optimum in what way?

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Pretty sure he was just joking about cutting off a 1/4"

No he was not. read viewtopic.php?f=12&t=47489&p=494969#p494969 and you will under stand why he said that.

I've read that. While it is interesting, I really don't find much info there that is terribly pertinent to real-world shooting. While 21 3/4" barrels certainly did well in their testing, it is important to keep in mind that they were shooting free-recoil off of a 700# concrete bench, inside of a 325 yard enclosed building. They were also shooting bench rest rifles with barrels in much heavier contours than the OP's rifle. If the OP is going to be shooting in similar conditions, this length may well be "optimum" for him. If not, it most likely will not be. I shoot .308's pretty regularly at 1000 yards and I can assure you that the additional velocity and longer sight radius of a loner barrel by far outweigh any inherent accuracy advantage offered by a 21 3/4" barrel. Also, someone intending to hunt in the woods of northern MN would likely be better served by a shorter barrel, and may have no use for any of the advantages of 21 3/4". Tossing out a magic barrel length with no regard for the intended use for the rifle is somewhat silly.

View · by **RJWesleyIII** on Wed Jan 22, 2014 10:10 am

So I should not cut it down? I was hoping to at least add the brake to help with a bit of recoil.
Thanks guys, you replied as I was typing the beginning of this. I would like to hunt with it, and going down to 17" would be ideal for me, then add the 3" brake. It's puts me back at 20", but I'm hoping the recoil is reduced.

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View · by **yuppiejr** on Wed Jan 22, 2014 10:10 am

I think "good" is relative and depends on what your goal with the change is, the current barrel is optimal to maximize bullet velocity with a fairly typical range of powders and projectile weights. If the goal is purely personalization/customization because you like short barrel rifles with comps I would say pick the length that handles/balances to your liking and make it yours. If you prefer the same rifle in a shorter length with a milder recoiling cartridge you can buy the 22 or 18" version of the same rifle for $350 in .243 and 7mm-08 at Bud's.

View · by **RJWesleyIII** on Wed Jan 22, 2014 10:33 am

Thanks for all the replies guys. So where is the best place to have it cut, threaded and re crowned?

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View · by **Dakotared** on Wed Jan 22, 2014 10:45 am

I am not saying he was right, wrong or otherwise, I was just saying that I do not think he was joking about the length. I have no opinion on if he should cut it or to what length. I say do what ever you want.

View · by **loose** on Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:17 am

I have a 18" lr 308 with a target crown. With factory ammo when the sun starts going down the flash gets pretty bad.

View · by **old guy** on Wed Jan 22, 2014 12:16 pm

If recoil is your problem you need to shoot it enough till it no longer bothers you, get a Past recoil shield to put on your shoulder when you practice and soon you won't even notice recoil.
Short barrels and muzzle brakes are extremely load and unpleasant.

John

View · by **RJWesleyIII** on Wed Jan 22, 2014 12:30 pm

The recoil doesn't bother me. I shoot a tikka 300 WSM and I know that has a lot more recoil. Just trying to tame it down a bit and add a lil more cool factor. And I like to modify everything I own. Lol

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