.308 barrel length (suppressed)

[Fish_monger]

I’m turning my factory T3x into a backpack hunting rifle and suppressor host. Looking for opinions on barrel length.

On one hand, I can’t imagine ever taking shots over 600 yards, so a little energy lost on an 18” barrel is no big deal. Short, stiff, super compact.

On the other, my suppressor is a sandman -S with keymo mount so I’ll be running a Keymo muzzle brake/QD mount. I can only imagine that thing is going to sound like a cannon going off if I ever find myself shooting unsuppressed. For that reason I’m leaning toward 20” however, I’m afraid that won’t make any difference and I’ll regret it later on.

Stock is Inletted for a #4 heavy sporter barrel. I’ll be shooting factory ammo for the time being.

 

[bruceleroy]

I would do 18" and never look back. Also, why shoot unsuppressed if you have one?

 

[Packin_packout]

Running 16.5 on my t3 with an aac can. Shots are all short ( 300 or less ) and for deer, javelina and pigs only. Muzzle velocity was down to 2500 if I am remembering right. My kids love it. I limit the range with it for hunting because with that lower muzzle velocity the wind starts becoming too much of a factor. On steel behave like all my other tikkas fist sized group at 500 consistently.

 

[Fish_monger]

I would do 18" and never look back. Also, why shoot unsuppressed if you have one?

Not all states are legal to hunt with a suppressor.

 

[bruceleroy]

I would still rock an 18". Thats what I run and ballistics are still great out quite a ways.
Legal here as far as my 30 second research goes...
Colorado, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana (varmints only, not game), Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming

You should be good. If you find yourself in a place where it isnt allowed then carry some Walker in ears or some simple flanged plugs that can be put in quickly.

 

[Fish_monger]

okay, thanks. can you post a picture? I’ll be honest, I’m also a little afraid 18” is going to look short and unbalanced..

 

[Kimber7man]

16-18 inch shorty rifles

I'm picking up a used Rem700P and I am considering chopping the barrel back to 16 inches. Anyone have a shorty bolt action? Can you post pics? Specs? Thanks

www.snipershide.com

 

[OneShot]

My 308 has a 20” barrel and I carry it around suppressed quite often. It doesn’t feel too long when in the field with a can on.
Here is a pic of the 20” 308 and a 16.5” 223 for side by side comparison.

 

[Fish_monger]

My 308 has a 20” barrel and I carry it around suppressed quite often. It doesn’t feel too long when in the field with a can on.
Here is a pic of the 20” 308 and a 16.5” 223 for side by side comparison.

Man, I’d be happy with either of those. What contour is the barrel on the .308?

 

[OneShot]

Man, I’d be happy with either of those. What contour is the barrel on the .308?

It’s the heavy barrel that comes on the Rem SPS

 

[Dobermann]

@ Fish_monger: also check out the 'how short of a barrel is too short .308 mountain rifle' thread: https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/how-short-of-a-barrel-is-too-short-308-mountain-rifle.82044/

Some info there on suppressed 308s.

FWIW, the Steyr Scout, which Jeff Cooper worked on back in the day with the Steyr designers ended up with a 19" barrel ... reached just the FPS that Cooper wanted out of a 308 for the ammo that was available at the time.

Ruger's more recent Gunsite Scout, though not designed to meet Cooper's criteria (which varied over time) ended up at 18", but with a thicker barrel. Both are still fairly lightweight and handy.

That thread also showcases a NZ-made titanium backcountry suppressor that is only 165 grams / 5.8 oz - perfect for a short mountain rifle.