MV of Rem Factory cut to 18inch (Hunting?)

[lonely_wolf]

I have been reading a lot about the benefits of short barrels on 308s. 20inch seems very acceptable now, while 18inch seems to be considered short. However, from what I read, many get excellent function from these 18inchers.

I suspect though these are custom barrels at different twist rates running specific hand loads. What about a stock Remington 308 1:12 cut to 18inchs? What kind of performance can I expect with factory loads? 175's and 168's? I know this is a broad question. I would appreciate anyone's direct experiences or even simple theory.

The reason I ask is that I have a SPS Varmint (sitting in an HS Precision)and the 26inchs is just too long. I am going to have it cut. I am tempted to go to 18inchs. After all what's 2 more inches? I hope the experts here can help.

It is my 'fun' rifle. I use it for target shooting and deer hunting. In the future I'd like to go for moose and bear. I know a 308 is not the best round for larger game with all the magnums these days, but it works and I'm comfortable with it and plan on using it.

I am worried that 18inch might take away too much velocity for moose though. As I understand MV should be kept around 2700-2800 to be adequate for the larger game.

I know this is a hunting question on a tactical forum, but I figured the marksmen here have more experience with shorter barrelled rifles.

Thanks in advance for any information.

 

[1shot2kill]

Re: MV of Rem Factory cut to 18inch (Hunting?)

with a 175 smk i would expect 2400 ish

 

[ecdbcd]

Re: MV of Rem Factory cut to 18inch (Hunting?)

I've been thinking about cutting down my SPS and attaching one of these bad boys for suppressor use:

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=1451

 

[Hummer]

Re: MV of Rem Factory cut to 18inch (Hunting?)

If you are going to have it cut you might consider having it set back a set of threads and rechambered with a short throat reamer which will give you longer barrel life. Personally I wouldn't cut it but if you are gonna might as well give yourself some more life before it goes out.
Had a buddy bring me his 308 PSS and barrel was gone in 600 rounds. I set it back a whole set of threads and rechambered with a reamer with .025" freebore and he got 1100 rounds before it went the second time.
Sounds like you are going to be a high round shooter, might consider a custom reamer with .339 neck and .4685" base dim and .025" freebore. This will give you max brass life and all your brass from previous barrel will fit in next one without massive resizing. If you use milspec brass and you care for it properly 100 reloads in 308 is possible.

 

[michealj]

Re: MV of Rem Factory cut to 18inch (Hunting?)

I had my PSS cut down to 18.5" and I get about 2425 fps. with my 175gr. handloads. I got a nice Pronghorn at 475 yds, my dad got a Mule deer and an big 6x6 Elk with it up in Wyoming. Our guide couldn't get enough of it, he thought it was a joke until he watched me confirm my zero and then check my 600 yard dope.

 

[Walsh]

Re: MV of Rem Factory cut to 18inch (Hunting?)

What kind of brake/suppressor is that? Is it coming out of another brake?

Damn nice rifle for sure!!

 

[deadly0311]

Re: MV of Rem Factory cut to 18inch (Hunting?)

its an OPs inc brake, but the second step you see that is closer to the chamber is a collar for the suppressor to butt up against and stop it. Kind of indexing the can

 

[lonely_wolf]

Re: MV of Rem Factory cut to 18inch (Hunting?)

Michealj- First off- that is a beautiful rifle!

Second, is it 18.5" including the brake?
Also, is it actually a factory rem barrel untouched except the chop and Brake? Does the brake help with MV at all, or just noise and flash?
Thanks for posting your pictures and findings!

Is a brake necessary when going below 20"? If the brake is around 2", what is the point? Why not leave the barrel at 20"?

Hummer- Will setting the barrel back help with MV as well, or only barrel life? Anywhere you recommend I could read up a bit more on this, or is this basic knowledge any gunsmith can be trusted to know if I asked for it?

Thanks everyone. I know a short barrel isn't optimal for everything, just like there is no such thing as a do everything rifle, But I have the SPS-V sitting in an LTR stock and really like the idea of building a really compact handy rifle- just not if it means I'll completely ruin any chances of going after larger game with it.

 

[michealj]

Re: MV of Rem Factory cut to 18inch (Hunting?)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lonely_Wolf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Michealj- First off- that is a beautiful rifle!

Second, is it 18.5" including the brake?
Also, is it actually a factory rem barrel untouched except the chop and Brake? Does the brake help with MV at all, or just noise and flash?
Thanks for posting your pictures and findings!

Is a brake necessary when going below 20"? If the brake is around 2", what is the point? Why not leave the barrel at 20"?
</div></div>

The barrel is 18.5" without the brake, 19.5" with it.
Yes, it is a factory Remington barrel cut and profiled for the suppressor. The brake does not help with velocity, noise or flash, if anything it makes it louder to the shooter.

The brake does greatly reduce felt recoil. After a long day shooting I would much rather have the 18.5" barrel with the brake than a 24" barrel without the brake.

The brake and collar are part of the suppressor package, without them I could not mount the can.

I am not sorry in the least about cutting the barrel down, and I would do it again. When I do finally shoot out this barrel I will get another 18.5" but in SS.

 

[rundm]

Re: MV of Rem Factory cut to 18inch (Hunting?)

I have a stock rem sps-t that I cut down to 18.5 and put a brake on it to make overall length 20.5in. I do not regret it at all. The gun balances very well and seems to be extremely handy. I have mine in a rem 5r stock I got when changing my 5r over to an ai stock. I would do it over again without ever thinking about it. I do need to bed the stock though. I am going to check mv this week when a friend of mine brings his chrono to the range. The drop from 20 to 18.5 is not going to be severe. You might lose an additional 100fps but whatever you hit with a 168gr bullet is not going to know the diff.

 

[sherlok]

Re: MV of Rem Factory cut to 18inch (Hunting?)

Question for Hummer. You say your friend shot a barrel out in 600 rounds. What was he shooting through it to wear it out that quickly? Some of these guys are still shooting well after 5000 to 10,000 rounds.

Thought the .308 was a fairly mild number on barrels.

Thanks,
Sherlok

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: MV of Rem Factory cut to 18inch (Hunting?)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sherlok</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Question for Hummer. You say your friend shot a barrel out in 600 rounds. What was he shooting through it to wear it out that quickly? Some of these guys are still shooting well after 5000 to 10,000 rounds.

Thought the .308 was a fairly mild number on barrels.

Thanks,
Sherlok </div></div>

Yup.
600 and 1500 rds before being shot out would be one of three things:
-barrel's steel is FUBAR
-Hummer's friend is shooting little bittly 30 cal bullets at really high speeds
-Hummer's friend is shooting Final Finish bullets all the time

6000-15000 should be a 308's life.......

 

[lonely_wolf]

Re: MV of Rem Factory cut to 18inch (Hunting?)

Would anyone else like to share their experiences?