Re: Minimul barrel length in .308 to reach 1000 ya
One thing nobody, especially the F Class guys aren't acknowledging in their explanation as to why they run the 308 the way they do, is, first and foremost "competition". 2ndly is, they dont' have to move with the rifle.
They need to get the edge over the next shooter, so the faster they can push the bullet the better off, and more likely they are to get the edge over the competition. Especially what they are doing with the 308 and the 155gr bullet which is giving it the same ballistics as a 260 shooting a lighter bullet.
If you want to compete against other shooters, then you have to run their race. However, its not necessary and you can successfully push a 308 for a tactical rifle with a 308 shooting stock 175gr bullets, even at sea level which is where I shot those rounds at in the video.
I hit 5 out of 6 shots on that video on a target at 1000 yards with an 18" barrel, and then hit the 7th shot on a target which was 8.75" by 14.75"... so in width I was accurate to less than 1 MOA and in elevation I was consistent to 1.5 MOA at worst. I can do it over and over... and have done it on command for people who will argue they need more barrel.
The accuracy out of the shorter, stiffer barrels is amazing, even in the wind, and it will hit consistently if you shoot it that way. In my rifle with factory 175gr bullets, I am getting no less than 2575fps which is more than enough, and if I really wanted to up the ante, I can shoot my factory 170gr HPS stuff which is rated around 2750fps (at 18") with a bullet with a .525 BC so do the math.
I should note, when shooting in competition, tactical mind you, my 22" Harbinger won the 600 yard group shot shooting factory ammo in a 12MPH wind... I shot a 3.25" with a 22" 308... I bet I can do the same with an 18", and have at least hit close enough at 1000 yards on video to make it plausible.
Don't listen to the gamers, because they are doing exactly that, gaming the 308 to act like something else in order to gain an advantage...
although I will say, 168gr bullets don't fair so well at distance.