Thread: Additional baffles and impact on accuracy

Originally Posted by Walker

Hi Bobba, the optimum barrel lenght for a 308 is around 26- 28" to obtain the projectiles fastest speed. Rule of thumb is you will lose 25fps/inch for shorter barrels. Intrestingly adding a surpressor with 4 to 6" infront of the muzzel will get you back 25fps on average. There was a big write up in one of the american mags a few years ago when surpressors became 'legal' .

An interesting claim for optimum barrel length.

This might be so for hunters who want something to carry, though at 26" - 28" it may be too long.

If this is the optimum length why to target shooters go 30", 32" or longer?
I don't think target shooters do it because it looks good or balances out the stock, there must be some benefit in the extra length.

Personally my target rifles all have 32" 1:10 barrels.
The extra velocity generated by the longer barrels allow me to utilize a slightly more conservative load to generate the speed I want.