16" vs. 18" AR10 at reasonable hunting distances?

[Watrdawg]

I've been hunting with my 16" LMT MWS for the last 2 years and I've shot deer and hogs out to 400 yards +/- without any issues at all. I've been shooting Nosler 165gr Accubond ammunition as my hunting ammo. I see no reason to go with a 18" barrel. Below is a pic of my setup. I don't hunt with the bipod though. The weapon alone is heavy as is and I hunt from a climbing treestand most of the time. No need for a bipod.

IMG_0902.jpg

[Nightvisionary]

I think barrel length absolutely matters when choosing an AR10 for hunting. Keep in mind that nearly every .308 hunting bullet available needs a minimum expansion velocity of 1800-2200 FPS. At those velocities you won't get ideal expansion rather you will obtain some level of minimum expansion. With a 16 inch barrel, depending on bullet weight you are looking at 2300-2500 FPS at the muzzle which means you are in the ideal velocity range at the muzzle. I chose a 20 inch DPMS G2 Hunter which should give adequate velocity out to 300 yards for bullet expansion.

The pic below is of a 110 grain .277 but all Barnes bullets with the exception of the 110 grain 30834 Black Tip and the Barnes TAC-X SBR as well as cup and core or bonded bullets are limited to similar thresholds due to bullet construction. The additional velocity of a 20 inch barrel is worth it to me when hunting elk or deer in the western US. My G2 is under 7 1/4 lbs with a carbine receiver extension and Magpul CTR stock so 4 inches of added barrel length really isn't much of an issue. The fact that it lacks a flash suppressor puts the overall length at just 3 inches over that of my 16 inch barrel 5.56 carbine with A2 flash suppressor.

[ExplorinInTheWoods]

308 doesn't lose as much velocity at 223/5.56 when you go shorter barrel but that being said 16 is as short as I would go. The 18 will give you some more velocity but it doesn't sound like you look to make this a bench rest gun and don't need the extra velocity. For hogs 16 is good because you can still swing that gun in brush if you have to.

[Nightvisionary]

Here is an informative test on .308 barrel length per inch vs velocity. Just keep in mind a bolt gun is used so an auto loading rifle will have slightly lower velocity numbers. For example the velocities listed for 19 inches with 147 grain Winchester are about what I get from my FAL with a 21 inch barrel.

http://rifleshooter.com/2014/12/308-...ty-28-to-16-5/

[John_Burns]

I prefer an 18 inch but we tend to stretch the .308 Win in hunting situations.

If you keep shots under 300yds the 16 is more than adequate.

8 elk this day from 120yds to 600yds.



Pretty nice bull taken at 450yds. Most likely a 16 would have done fine.

[SeriousStudent]

That is a lifetime of elk. I envy you.

[JC5188]

I hunt deer at that range with a 16" Armalite. No issues. The weight savings over a longer, heavier barrel makes the hump to the stand easier as well.




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[sasquatchoslav]

I use a 200 yard zero and MPBR due to closer shots always inside 300 and even at that only certain times of year. 24" Weatherby and a 18" DPMS they all bow to the muzzle just the same. The .308 is a great round and in a semi-auto it's a fantastic hunting platform. The Weatherby sees less and less action as time goes on.

[LDM]

Don't think I have seen this factor mentioned in this thread, but muzzle blast of a 16" 308 can be pretty rough.
My perspective is FAL not AR. I have a 16" FAL and a 21" standard FAL. HUGE difference.
I shot a deer last year with the 16" standing parallel to the side of a hill. So the ground on my right was maybe 3' away. It absolutely rang my bell. So much so, I now wear electronic ear muffs when I hunt with the 16.

[BrigandTwoFour]

I would have no reason to own or recommend an 18" barrel over a 16 or 20, and really, there are only a few (professional) users that I would recommend a 20 over a 16 for.

I'm curious as to your reasoning. I've had an unfinished .308 project for several years now. I was planning to go with an 18" barrel. I didn't want the concussion o a 16" or the weight of a 20". I still don't want the concussion, so I can be swayed to go up to 20" if it makes more sense.