Rem 700 5R Barrel question

[Nolo Contendere]

I picked up a Rem 700 5R in .308 unfired from a guy who had a change of plans in regards to the rifle.
I plan on using it as a deer/ hog hunting rifle & was wondering if anyone has cut down one of these barrels & what I could expect in regards to accuracy if I decided to. Most of my shots would be under 300-350 yards but I'd like to feel confident at 400-450
20 inches would be ideal, 22 would be ok. I could leave it at 24 but I'd like to be able to swing it around in a stand a little better.
Thoughts?

 

[Aimsmall55]

I deer hunt with a 26" 5r .300 win mag. Also shot a bunch freehanded. 24 is good to go in my opinion. I wouldn't waste any $ on something that really isn't necessary and buy bullets , hunting gear with it. If you don't reload try the Winchester supreme 168 grain ballistic tip. It's the most accurate factory hunting ammo I've shot out of my .308's. will also whack em pretty good

 

[CleanMoostang]

I have always used a 20" SPS Barrel in .308 for hunting, and I have another rifle that is 24", and I honestly notice NO difference... Especially at those short of distances

I can swing both around just the same, which I might not be in as brushy spot as you are. But I wouldn't spend the $ on it...

 

[thrusty]

600yrds and closer, a 20" barrel in a .308 is going to be magical for you as long as you have good ammo and do your part.

I've shot mine in matches and stretched it out to 1100 yrds, but it's most effective in the 600yrd and closer arena.

 

[RyeDaddy]

Personally I prefer a shorter barrel on a hunting gun. I've owned 308's with barrels from 16" to 26" and my favorite is the 20". More maneuverable, easier to get around with, better balanced for offhand shots. Not to mention handier with a suppressor attached, and easier to get into and out of a stand with. I know this for a fact, we are usually hunting hogs and deer from either the cab of a pickup or out of a stand and a 24" barrel is a pain in the ass to change positions with inside a stand.

If the price of having it shortened doesn't bother you then I would say it's worth doing. I don't feel you have anything to lose having a reputable smith shorten and recrown a barrel. There's about 80 FPS difference in velocity between 20" and 24" barrels in 308, which doesn't mean a lot. There are those who have to squeeze out every last FPS for competition, but for a knock-around general purpose/hunting rifle the shorter barrel's handiness will be noticed much more than even a 100 FPS velocity gain would.

 

[Drifter™]

I'd go 20 and never look back. If done correctly, there should be no negative effect on accuracy. The small velocity loss will be inconsequential for your application.

 

[Elite_KG]

Definitely 20"! If you are unsure then to 22". My 20" 1:10 twist shoot great out to 800 with 168's or 175's. I just haven't shot much further. (Non 5R rifling. Rifling shouldn't make much, if any, difference)

Cut with confidence my friend!

 

[roggom]

At 20" it is about perfect in weight and balance for dual duty 308 rifle. I have an SPS-T in a McMillan HTG, NF compact and it weighs 9.5 lbs. The weight is evenly distributed and it shoulders like an old walnut and steel rifle. With a Leupold VX3 its only 9 lbs. Light enough to carry and heavy enough to keep the animal in the scope.

It took me many stocks and configurations to find the "right" combination, but it feels perfect (to me.)

 

[mlh29]

I am on my 3rd 5r . I also have a sps with the factory aac 51t, an ltr, a custom rem 7 , and arem 700 mountain guide ... all in 308,
For my style hunting I prefer the shorter barrels. My first 5r got chopped to 18.5 and thrown into a ltr stock. I lost afew hundred fps over stock. It shot better after cutting than did form the factory( I blame a better crown and stiffer barrel when shorter)
It was a great , handy truck gun/hunting rifle,and that was the problem, many that saw it wanted it and regrettably it quickly found a new owner.
if I did it again, I would go to 20, and use a standard HS varmint take off or similar slim grip stock