Opinions on a 20" barrel 308 for western hunting rifle?

[bascott1]

Thinking about getting a Christensen ridgeline 20" barrel 308 for a lightweight elk/ muley gun. Gonna run it suppressed, so figured it would be a handy lil pack rifle. What kinda range would that lil rig be good for? Ive got a 300wm thats a great gun so got the magnum heavy hitter covered for longer range stuff. Whats everyones thoughts?

 

[Skyewalker]

Kinda long. 16” with a suppressor, if you know what you’re doing you’re good under 1k with the heavy pills.


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[Muleyslayer14]

I agree with @Skyewalker. I think short barrels are great most of the time. Just checked zero with a ruger 7mm-08 with a 16.5” barrel and factory ammo, and non floated barrel. 1/2 MOA.

As far as I understand the only thing you’re sacrificing is velocity, that’s where your hunting distance will be shortened.

 

[30338]

What bullet are you using and what is minimum expansion velocity? Plug your load into JBM and there is your answer. I'm shooting several 18-22" barreled rigs and find them quite manageable for longer range. Mostly Bergers, but the 06 is using 180 accubonds.

 

[bascott1]

I don't know what I would be running yet. Prob 180 accubonds. I like a heavy bullet for elk. I'm guessing good to 400 to 500 range?

 

[robtattoo]

My savage lwh has an 18" barrel. I'm running 165 Partitions & and I've got no concerns about shooting elk inside of 400 (if I could persuade one to stand still inside 400...)
According to my notes I'm getting a hair under 2700fps & shooting right on a 1" 5 round group.
Annoyingly, it shoots the 150gn Accubonds just a little better & 100fps faster. I've got enough if each loaded that I honestly wouldn't care which I picked on the day.

 

[bascott1]

Sounds like that might be an adequate setup for a timber gun/ shorter range elk gun.

 

[Runningwater]

I'd guess 400 yd., maybe 500 under ideal circumstances. IMO I wouldn't consider it a short range elk gun. I've hunted out west for 40 years and never taken a shot past 400 yds. I've probably only taken a handle full past 300......your mileage may vary.

 

[Newtosavage]

I don't consider 20" to be a short barrel for a .308.

 

[bascott1]

I agree, im not a 1k yard guy at all. Im more of a 3 to 4 hundred area. Should be more than good for a 308.

 

[Rob5589]

Sounds like a great combo. I also wouldn't say 20" is "short" for a 308. Purely for reference, I ran a stock Rem LTR in 308 (20") out to 1k no problem (target only). I could push a 175 smk at 2650 with 2000mr out of it. Which, if you are reloading, is a great powder for the 308, fyi.

 

[bascott1]

I guess I'm thinking short for me cause I'm use to 24 and 26 inch magnum rifles.

 

[Burnt Reynolds]

I used to have the exact rifle. Regret selling it very much. Paired with a VX6 2-12 (non hd) boone and crockett, shooting factory hornady 178 eldx I bang flopped a bull at 409 yards in 2017.

I stupidly thought I needed more kaboom for more range. So I sold it in favor of screwing around with some 300wsm's which I also no longer have. I didn't save the ballistics but if I recall I was out to about 750 yards with that round for expansion if the 1600 fps min velocity is to be believed.

 

[bascott1]

I used to have the exact rifle. Regret selling it very much. Paired with a VX6 2-12 (non hd) boone and crockett, shooting factory hornady 178 eldx I bang flopped a bull at 409 yards in 2017.

I stupidly thought I needed more kaboom for more range. So I sold it in favor of screwing around with some 300wsm's which I also no longer have. I didn't save the ballistics but if I recall I was out to about 750 yards with that round for expansion if the 1600 fps min velocity is to be believed.

Anything you would change on that rifle? And what kinda weight were you at?

 

[Outdoorsman12b]

This guy put a lot of effort into answering that question.

308 Winchester / 7.62x51mm NATO: Barrel Length versus Velocity (28″ to 16.5″)

308 Winchester / 7.62x51mm NATO: Barrel Length versus Velocity (28″ to 16.5″) Introduction Released by Winchester in 1952 (and adopted by NATO in 1954 as the 7.62x51mm NATO), the 308 Wi…

rifleshooter.com

 

[Burnt Reynolds]

Anything you would change on that rifle? And what kinda weight were you at?

I was right about 7 3/4 lbs with talleys, javelin bipod mount and strap and scope. Balance was perfect. Things I’d change would be to unscrew the muzzle brake and throw it in the box of parts, and a safety that locked the bolt shut if that were somehow possible. If I were doing it over I’d add a rail up front for my atlas bipod and buy ammo and tags. Probably a vx5hd 2-10.

 

[bascott1]

This guy put a lot of effort into answering that question.

308 Winchester / 7.62x51mm NATO: Barrel Length versus Velocity (28″ to 16.5″)

308 Winchester / 7.62x51mm NATO: Barrel Length versus Velocity (28″ to 16.5″) Introduction Released by Winchester in 1952 (and adopted by NATO in 1954 as the 7.62x51mm NATO), the 308 Wi…

rifleshooter.com

HOLY DATA!!!