16" vs 24" .308 Win Velocity...

Guy Miner · Apr 22, 2023

Recently tested five different .308 Winchester ammo types, two handloads and three factory loads, in both my 24" Rem 700 and a 16" barreled rifle built by Gavin. I knew the 16" would do rather well. There's roughly a 200 fps difference between the two rifles with bullet weights from 125 - 175 grains:

FYI, if you're researching short-barrel rifle ballistics, take a look at the "pistol" section Hodgdon's online Data Center offers. It's intended for users of specialty pistols with 15" barrels but is real useful for folks building or buying shorter-barreled rifles as well.

Regards, Guy

KinleyWater · Apr 22, 2023

Good stuff as always. I've seen a couple of different websites that look at velocity versus barrel length and every data point is good for the community. Keep it up, and pass my words to Gavin as well.

RL338 · Apr 22, 2023

25 fps per inch is what is expected. Boy a 16” barrel is a shorty. Must be built as a suppressed rifle.

xphunter · Apr 22, 2023

Depending on the cartridge, I say 25-35 fps per inch on average.
Good stuff!

xphunter · Apr 22, 2023

Guy Miner said:
Recently tested five different .308 Winchester ammo types, two handloads and three factory loads, in both my 24" Rem 700 and a 16" barreled rifle built by Gavin. I knew the 16" would do rather well. There's roughly a 200 fps difference between the two rifles with bullet weights from 125 - 175 grains:

View attachment 19688

FYI, if you're researching short-barrel rifle ballistics, take a look at the "pistol" section Hodgdon's online Data Center offers. It's intended for users of specialty pistols with 15" barrels but is real useful for folks building or buying shorter-barreled rifles as well.

Regards, Guy

Short barrels work just fine

DrMike · Apr 23, 2023

You've verified the estimate that most of us work from (25-35 fps/inch of barrel). Fascinating stuff for us gun cranks to watch.

xphunter · Apr 23, 2023

My 15.75" 308 center-grip XP-100 runs the 155 grain A-Max at 2555 fps with H-4895 and Hornady brass

NYDAN · Apr 24, 2023

Great report, Guy. Thanks for posting.

PJGunner · Apr 24, 2023

Quite a few years back I ran one of my handloads for the .308 through two rifles. A Ruger M77 RSI with 18.5" barrel and a Winchester M70 with 22" barrel, The load was Winchester brass and WLR primer, 49.0 gr. W760 (Max load BTW) and the 165 gr. Speer Hot Core.

RSI: 2550 FPS average for 5 shots.
M70 2610 FPS average for 5 shots.

FWIW, that RSI is probably my favorite deer rifle with that load. I has accounted for quite a few deer from 30 feet to 250 yards. I just like the way it handles.
Paul B.