Accuracy with a .308 between a 20" to 24" barrel?

Twist Rate

Good articles provided by JMR40 and Old Roper.
I did notice while one article concentrated on barrel length and the other article on bullet weight, neither article addressed Twist Rate.
The .308 comes in more than one twist rate and this also has a lot to do with the bullet you are using (light or heavy).
Most .308 rifles will have a 1:12 twist rate which is good for 155 to 190 grain bullets. Many outstanding results with this set up.
My .308 rifle is a 1:10 twist rate with 24 inch fluted barrel as I prefer heavier bullets. The longer barrel also seems to help it with 7.62 X 51 ammo. This provides me greater options with the longer barrel and 1:10 twist rate. I do use a Fluted barrel to lighten the rifle and supposedly make the barrel more rigid (not sure if this has been proved, but it looks good).

RIFLE.jpg
 
I actually prefer my 1:11.25 i've shot 155gr-175gr and all have been .5Moa or better. I eventually got hooked on the 175gr class bullets and would move to the 185gr if i could get decent velocity on Alliants MR-2000, but i'm not in the mood to start load development again. As the article old roper posted stated the .30 Caliber bullet doesn't really hit it's shape/stride BC wise till you get to the heavier pills. I'm eventually going to run .240gr SMKs in a .30 cal magnum just havent decided which one :)
 
My question was a simple one...

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Accuracy with a .308 between a 20" to 24" barrel? Would I loose accuracy with a with any barrel over a 20"? Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
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My thanks to all who have contributed and opened this thread up on broader horizons, expanded to include the many factors that attribute to accuracy at long range. That's one reason I love this Forum:)

Thanks! Old Roper... For the informative eye and mind opening article.
Thanks! JMR40 for your input as well!

Hats off to Double Naught Spy!
For answering a simple question with a simple answer... :D
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Quote: Simply put, No. Barrel length does not determine accuracy so long as you have enough barrel with rifling to spin the projectile.
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Basically, there is no difference in the accuracy of the barrel based on length alone. How well the individual barrel is made is of far greater importance.

A short stiff barrel is supposed to be more accurate, but may not be, or may not be noticably more accurate than a well made longer one.

The only time it really matters, for accuracy, is when you are using iron sights. The longer sight radius of the longer barrel can allow you to shoot it more accurately, if you are up to the task. The length of the barrel makes no difference to the accuracy of the barrel (in practical terms) but it can make a difference in how accurate you are with the gun.
 
My advice again, go for balance. Once you try to maximize everything the rifle will be unwieldy. Ive gone down this path once, accuracy international with a giant nightforce, it was like handling a log. Aim for the sweet spot and dont over engineer it.
 
I have a 15 month old 10FP in .308 with the 24" barrel with the Accutrigger without the Accustock and stabilizer.

It has averaged 0.575 inches at 100 yards for over 200 measured groups with loads it likes.
Even then, it shoots way better than I can.
My buddy has its twin and it also shoots about the same +/- 0.01 inch.

The Precision Carbine comes with a 20 inch barrel but it has the Accustock.
One of your range mates has one and his is also accurate but he doesn't measure everything quite like we do, so I can't vouch for the precise accuracy numbers.
I would suspect that is also can outshoot any of us.

I wouldn't think you could tell the difference unless you were going to clamp the rifle in a bench rest and release the trigger with some kind of plunger.
Even then I would suspect that you would wind up having measured the differences in particular barrels/ stock combinations for a given load, not the differences in the lengths of the barrels.
 
If we're talking AR vs Bolt action In my experience accuracy changes. I can run a bolt gun to below 1/2 MOA when i do my part and avg around 1/2 MOA with my 5R. I've hit .1/2 MOA once with my MK12 Mod 1. Carbine stocks are so much more difficult to stabilize which i think contributes to the inconsistency with my AR. But on a regular basis I find Bolt rifles are more accurate than ARs. At least this is my experience and seems to agree with most. Although i see plenty of people that can shoot a AR better than i can and can hold 1/2 MOA groups. I've even seem some get around 1/3 MOA.
 
Rifles 20 to 26

I have several Savages a mod 116 with 20 inch in .308 2 mod-12's both with 24" are also in .308 and a New mod 116 Bear Hunter in 338 Win Mag with 24". They all shoot great at pretty much any distance. the Mod 116 is a Weather Warrior is a hunting rifle holds 3 inch groups at 500 yards it has a pencil barrel. The other mod-12's hold 5 to 8 inch groups at a 1000 yards all done on roll your owns if I do my part and the .338 is waiting to strewth it's legs that far just haven't had the chance yet. It will shoot clover leafs at 100 with Hornady's 225 SST's, Hornady's 250 BTHP's and Lapua's 300 gr. BTHP's. I get max velocity with usually less then max powder so can't complain. Have other friends with Rem's , Win's, Titka's barrel lengths from 20 to 26 all will reach a 1000 to 1760 yds. without much trouble.
 
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