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Gunsmithing cutting down barrel?

keith jones

Full Member
Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 14, 2010
407
3
44
Bulls Gap,TN
I have SPS varmint with 1/12 twist. I am planning to cut barrel down but dont want to go to short. Has anyone on here cut down a SPS varmint barrel? If so, what were velocity losses? What is the shortest I could go without a bad loss? I shoot 168gr right now.
 
Re: cutting down barrel?

After market barrels that are precisely cut and lapped from the maker usually net 20fps loss per inch but the factory barrels usually a bit more, anywhere from 30-40fps.

20" barrels are a great all around length IMHO.
 
Re: cutting down barrel?

How far do you usually shoot, or what range do you expect to use your rifle realistically?
 
Re: cutting down barrel?

How does it shoot now? How far you shooting? Is the weight of the gun to much? I love my 20" bbl 308's and I love my 26" 308"s too> All depends on what your using it for. If I was to only have one....I think a med contour 18"-22" would be perfect. It's all a give and take. The .308's do good with a shorter bbl so enjoy the caliber with whatever you choose. Good luck
 
Re: cutting down barrel?

just reload for the barrel length...Varget is very good for short barrels
 
Re: cutting down barrel?

I only shoot around 600 yards. I will probably cut to 22".But mainly will be shooting 100 to 350 for the most part. Thanksguys
 
Re: cutting down barrel?

i have the SPS-V with a 26" barrel and if i were to cut it i'd only go 22" or 24".
 
Re: cutting down barrel?

I just built a .308 and used a 20" barrel based on information that others provided here. I have a faster twist, but with my best info determined that I would go transonic at approx 850 yards. With this info you should have no issues with 600 yds. The .308 is not an overbore cartridge. It does not thrive on long barrels, or slow powders.
 
I have one cut down. My rifle is more accurate with the 20" vs the 26". I've noted accuracy elsewhere. Tough call on 20" vs 22 or 24. You will even find some guys going shorter for only 600 yards. I don't have chrono numbers, but it takes 17 moa to get to 600 with 168 FGMM.
 
Berger reloading manual quotes 20 fps loss per inch of barrel for the .308 Win.