Accuracy from a 14.7" barrel on a Wilson Combat 308

[Joeyg023]

So I have a Wilson combat 308 on order. I went with the 14.7" barrel, but now I'm thinking of changing it to a 16" or more. What kinda accuracy can I see shooting 100-300 with this short of a barrel. I didn't think much about it, but I've come across threads where most AR10s have 20" or more barrels so I hope I didn't make the wrong choice of barrel length. I honestly don't plan to shoot beyond 400-500 yards ever with this rifle anyway.

[PrarieDog]

308's do better with a longer barrel so that powder has a longer time to burn. A 14" 308 will be a flame thrower with standard rounds. At a minimum I would go with a 16" but you need to weight what your uses are for the rifle. I am sure you can get acceptable accuracy from a short barrel it really comes down to velocity.

[BooneGA]

308's do better with a longer barrel so that powder has a longer time to burn. A 14" 308 will be a flame thrower with standard rounds. At a minimum I would go with a 16" but you need to weight what your uses are for the rifle. I am sure you can get acceptable accuracy from a short barrel it really comes down to velocity.

My only experience is with a 13" 308 (Mk17 SCAR) - and it was not a flame thrower at all. Didn't even flash enough to mess with night vision. I only ever shot for groups out to 100 (it held just above MOA with MK319), but hits at 700 on steel were a cake walk.

Rick

[Joeyg023]

Alright I might see if I can still get it changed to 16 or 18". It's mostly just for shooting 100-300 yards currently and a Shtf rifle. I planned on putting my Trijicon 1x8 scope on it. I wouldn't mind shooting past 300 sometimes, but right now all our local ranges only go to 300. As long as it's sub MOA at 100 with match ammo I'm ok with that.

[BooneGA]

As long as it's sub MOA at 100 with match ammo I'm ok with that.

100m accuracy will not vary greatly between barrel lengths. Shorter barrels are inherently more accurate - a quick search will provide more detailed information. Longer barrels increase velocity which is used to increase accuracy at range.

Rick

[Joeyg023]

100m accuracy will not vary greatly between barrel lengths. Shorter barrels are inherently more accurate - a quick search will provide more detailed information. Longer barrels increase velocity which is used to increase accuracy at range.

Rick

Awesome thanks. Ya from what i found i have read the longer barrels tend to flex a little bit. i think i'm going to try to call tomorrow to get it changed to a 16" at least. What if i was shooting out to 300 yards?

[RobertTheTexan]

My only experience is with a 13" 308 (Mk17 SCAR) - and it was not a flame thrower at all. Didn't even flash enough to mess with night vision. I only ever shot for groups out to 100 (it held just above MOA with MK319), but hits at 700 on steel were a cake walk.

Rick

Hey Rick, was that MK319 designed to be a 'barrier busting' round? I thought I read through a presentation by NAVSEA that indicated the round was designed to penetrate barriers and to have better flash results in SBR'd SCARs. I think I saved it on my laptop somewhere... CRS strikes again.

The 700m gong hits were with your MK17 also? That's some serious shooting.

[ExplorinInTheWoods]

Accuracy at 100 won't be affected. The accuracy that people talk about with shorter barrels is honestly trajectory and having to hold more or the distance the bullet doesn't stay stable because of less velocity. 308 is not affected as much by a shorter barrel like 5.56, now i do agree that if you want a distance 308 then yes get a 18-20 and slap a 4-16 on there but since you're rocking the 1-8 (becoming my favorite optic for 3gun) and you're already wanting a 14.7 or 16 then I'm guessing you want a thumper in close battle rifle but still have the ability to utilize the 308 round. Make sure you get a solid brake like a surefire socom.

[beschatten]

I wouldn't worry about it OP - Wilson Combat has a sub 1 MOA guarantee pending you don't shoot surplus and know how to shoot. I have one of their barrels and it is fantastic. For 300 and in, a 14.7 is fine.

[tom12.7]

I'm not so sure about some of the posts, but I generally think the "accuracy" question was about a level of precision potential at distances for proper impacts. Not PBZ or holds of that for trajectories, etc.. The two are are not mutually alike, even though they can come together at times.
Wilson barrels can shoot well, some others can as well. Many barrels can be adequate, just depends on the pro's and con's for the use to better suit a user or users for that.