700 5R in 24" or 20" threaded?

[King Of Dirk]

Friends,

I've been lurking on this site for a long time, but just registered today. I've read the FAQs provided by Zak cover to cover, and appreciate the wisdom and (usual) lack of b.s. on this board. Please forgive my question; it's long-winded, but I want to do this right.

This will be my first bolt gun, and my first .308. I'm not very good past 400 yards, but I want to get good. I like the idea of shooting suppressed, but I'm on a budget and will have to do this one piece at a time (Johnny Cash style). I think I've decided on the 700 5R, but I'm not smart enough to know if I should get the 24" barrel and have it cut down/threaded later, or buy the 20" threaded and live with the shorter barrel length while I shoot it without a suppressor for up to one year. As a noob, will the 4" less length bother me (keep it clean, gents)? I belong to a range near Houston that does have a 1000 yard capability, but it will be a while before I bother those guys. I won't be handloading, so my gut tells me I won't notice a difference, but I wanted to run it by you guys first.

Finally, if anyone thinks a 700P is a better "first" rifle, I'm willing to listen. I'm the total opposite of a know-it-all.

 

[pilotguy299]

Re: 700 5R in 24" or 20" threaded?

The 700 5R is a great gun. I would pick the 20" with the threaded barrel, just to make it easier to throw a break or suppressor on it without having to have the extra work done.

 

[pharm762]

Re: 700 5R in 24" or 20" threaded?

I would go with the 20" because I run my gun suppressed and it shoots better longer than one I had with 23". What I mean is that when you're running suppressed the barrel will start to heat up and throw off your accuracy after so many rounds. I noticed though that I was able to get more rounds down range before it started to throw off. I was getting about 10 more rounds. If you are worried about velocity or accuracy at 1000yds Lowlight has shot an 18" gun out to 1k. Shorter is better due to better harmonics.

 

[King Of Dirk]

Re: 700 5R in 24" or 20" threaded?

Thank you, pilotguy and pharm, for taking the time to help me out. I will proceed with the 20". Much appreciated!

 

[groundhogbuster]

Re: 700 5R in 24" or 20" threaded?

Shot both, owned both. Went with 20" because I had a few Brakes I wanted to try, and the 20" shoots very good with the Precision Armament M11. If you go 20" try the 168's over 46g Varget, and the 175's over 46g Varget.
Shoots 3 shots consistent like this

Here she is before the Brake

But if I had the $ I would have went with 24" and cut to 21/22", I have saw a cpl 20"ers with not so good of a cut & thread job. I just got lucky, and Scott at snipercountrypx.com went through 5 of them and sent the best one. THANKS SCOTT!

 

[STR]

Re: 700 5R in 24" or 20" threaded?

I too would go with the 20 inch barrel. I have an 18 inch that shoots very well to 800 yards. I'm sure it would go further just fine, only I just haven't done it myself. The 20 will look very proportioned with a suppressor on it. If you haven't decided on a suppressor yet, then look into Thunder Beast suppressors. I run a 30P1, and am extremely pleased with it. Best of luck.