Yep, it's another barrel length question

[OlieTheDog]

Building an AR-10 (.308), and I'm looking at the optimal barrel length for PRS/Sniper Challenge matches. I was thinking 18", but 20" is also another consideration. It's my first precision gas gun, so I'm not sure which is the best direction to go.

Also, I'm sure it's been asked before, but a search pulled up way too many results to sort through.

 

[Kadams1563]

If you don’t have the barrel yet then are you stuck on a .308?

A 22” 6.5 creed would do pretty well I would imagine.

If your wanting a shorter gun then I would say a 20” .308

Longest barrel you can stand pretty much wins the game.

 

[Niles Coyote]

For a competitive LR rifle, 20" would be my choice of those two... and that's what I did go with. That said if competition isnt it's primary use or your competing to have fun and not pursuing trophies, there is nothing wrong with an 18". Depending on the bullet/load combo expect to give up around 50-75 fps and for 16" add a hundred more.

 

[stello1001]

20 inch is fine. How long do you want to shoot?

 

[shooter65]

https://www.rainierarms.com/rainier...-gas-875-gas-block-nib-extension-22-polished/

 

[OlieTheDog]

If you don’t have the barrel yet then are you stuck on a .308?

A 22” 6.5 creed would do pretty well I would imagine.

If your wanting a shorter gun then I would say a 20” .308

Longest barrel you can stand pretty much wins the game.

So, I already have a 6.5 bolt gun. And some of the matches require one team member to have a bolt gun, and the other to have a carbine chambered in .308 or 5.56. I figure I would just commit to the .308 because it has the stability to reach out and is a bit more forgiving than the 5.56 (and I have the upper/lower sitting in the safe ready to be built out). Ok, I can do 20"

 

[OlieTheDog]

For a competitive LR rifle, 20" would be my choice of those two... and that's what I did go with. That said if competition isnt it's primary use or your competing to have fun and not pursuing trophies, there is nothing wrong with an 18". Depending on the bullet/load combo expect to give up around 50-75 fps and for 16" add a hundred more.

Competition is definitely my desired use for this rig. I have a few other SHTF/playtime rifles. This one will be for the trophy winnin'

 

[OlieTheDog]

20 inch is fine. How long do you want to shoot?

Like distance? If that's what you mean, I'd like "reliability" out to ~800

 

[One1Bravo]

I'd go with 20" as well.

 

[OlieTheDog]

I'd go with 20" as well.

Sounding like that's my best option, and I'm fine with that. No need to keep it a shorty if I don't need to.

 

[stello1001]

Like distance? If that's what you mean, I'd like "reliability" out to ~800

800 yards with a 308 is very doable. Stick with the 20 incher, not saying it's impossible with an 18 incher but me personally I would have gone with 20!

 

[OlieTheDog]

https://www.rainierarms.com/rainier...-gas-875-gas-block-nib-extension-22-polished/

Shew.... I wish. That's a bit out of my price range. By around double.

 

[jda2631]

JP has a 20" 308, 1-10 twist, medium contour super match barrel on clearance for $479, includes an individually headspaced JP enhanced bolt in that price as well. Click the clearance tab up top. Not sure if that is doable in your budget, but it's a great barrel.

https://www.jprifles.com/1.4.1_barrel.php