Help with decision on .308 Barrel Length - To cut or not to cut?

[Danco411]

I have a new Mega Maten build that I completed with a Krieger barrel I picked up in a trade. I bought it for mainly the BCG and upper which I needed for another build. It's a Krieger SS 26" with a target crown. It is a big long heavy sucker. It looks wicked cool in the Mega build but I'm not sure if I should keep it as is or get it cut down and threaded for a comp. I already have a Mega Maten with a 20" Lilja chambered in 260 Remington but I want a .30 too. I have joined a club with a 1K UKD range with steel that I plan to shoot at all year. So were talking longer ranges. I know the .260 will do fine with the 20" barrel. But what about this monster Krieger? How much more velocity will I see with the extra six inches? I handload and primarily will shoot the 175 SMK and 185 Bergers out of it. I use all Lapua brass. I only plan on shooting it either off the bench or prone bipod. So keep it long or cut it shorter? Here is a pic of the rifle. The Samson Evo rail is no longer on it. I put that on there while waiting for my Troy.

Thanks!

 

[Shoottothrill]

I would take it down to 22" but no less if your going to 1000+. It's really long at 26". I think that you really only gain 20-30 fps, per inch on average in .308. Just my personal opinion.

 

[BCP]

If it were me I'd have done the 260 in 22-26" and the 308 in 16-18", like an SPR profile.

Cutting it down will save some weight, maybe half to 3/4 a pound and it'll handle better but it will still be heavy. I'd say 6" = 75fps give or take.