Thanks for all the replies. I didn't sell the 20" because I couldn't carry it around. I sold it because I messed my back up on a roofing contract (which my nero surgeon really frowned on) and needed the extra cash to pay bills. I hated to part with it but plan on getting another one after back surgery. I use the gun as just a bench gun, so most of the time I carry it 20' to 50' so the weight between 20" and 24" isn't an issue. I didn't have a great scope on it but I was getting decent at 400 yards, at least in my eyes. I'm just trying to get all the info possible before I get my next one. I plan on getting a much better scope and working my way out more and more on distance. So for shooting 800 yards will I be happy with the 20" barrel and what if I want to go over 800 yards? It may even sound like it would be better on accuracy to stay with the 20. I seen that 24" on gunbroker a couple days ago and couldn't believe what they wanted.
The 20" can go to 1000. There is a lot of myth and misconception about shooting to 1k and while .308 isn't the perfect choice, it can do it quite well. Expect about 20ish feet per second per inch difference. That's a fair ball park for guestimating an 80-100 or so feet per second loss in a 20" vs a 24".
The important part is where that velocity matters. If for example you push a 175smk 2640fps @ the muzzle, it will be at 1100ish when it reaches the 1000yard line. That same bullet started out at 2540fps charts out to be 1060 @ 1000yds. So we can observe 100fps difference at the muzzle but only 40fps difference where it counts and a whopping 5moa more drop. There have been a few vids on youtube of 1k shots with 16", granted those results are not typical, just possible.
Nothing at all wrong with a 24" bench gun, Lord knows I've been there, It's just the gains really don't show without good handloads, but then everything is better with handloads.
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Beautiful!
IMHO, when you get into the 20" vs. 24" barrel length you are merely looking at a minimal deviance in FPS and accuracy, which is probably more related to care taken in the re-loading processes and barrel build/condition? Either/or, you're in the right neighborhood for such conversations.
In this neck of the woods, I favor a longer barrel, a lot of the shots for game are at a distance, 400 yards and beyond. Especially of it is a shot at that trophy that You just think would be nice for a wall hanger.
I have`nt done any hunting for a lot of years now, but, I still like to go out ocassionally for a few Prairie Dogs, setting up for those longer ranges just makes it more of a challenge, a challenge that I enjoy.
It is too bad that Our local "Custer County Rod and Gun Club" firing range goes to only 200 yards. I know though that in these parts, to be able to go out on the range, without gusting winds, just is`nt much of an option. not too many days here without a wind blowing and most times gusting at least 10 mph or above is of the normal and most times up to 30 or so.
That makes it a real challenge at that 200 yard targut. :rotfl:
If I ever get caught up from having to do vehicular repairs, I will order from Armalite that upper assembly in the .243 caliber and it will have a 24 incher perched upon it.
I picked up my 24" "T" from Gunbroker right at the end of the "Insanity" several months ago for a great price, just keep looking and one will pop up, I also picked up a "T" Carbine a year or so ago and I swear it shoots as good or better than the 24" out to 200 yards.
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