308 Encore barrel question

[wolfe28]

Good Morning;

I'm wanting a 308 barrel for my encore, and I'm trying to decide between the standard contour 24" barrel and the heavy contour 26" barrel.  This will be for hunting uses, and I probably won't ever take a shot with it past about 500 yards.

Suggestions?

D

[yooper77]

I have owned several 24" factory tapered Encore barrels and they are perfect in weight and length.


I once bought a 26" heavy barrel is 375 JDJ, but soon discovered it was way too heavy and awkward too carry. I sold it and never considered another for purchase.


If a 26" heavy barrel is dedicated for the bench rest, then I can see where a extra weight and heat transfer is useful. The 28" heavy fluted barrel offers even more surface area for heat transfer if dedicated for the bench.


I do own the 26" 209x50 muzzleloader barrel, but that's not the same as a 26" heavy rifle barrel.


yooper77

[Iowa Fox]

I have 2- 26" barrels, one a SS 223 rem factory barrel. the other a 44mag custom shop barrel and several 24" in various calibers. The 223 & 44 mag are ok for the use they were purchased for but the 24" is a much better balance and feel for the Encore as a rifle. I won't purchase any more over 24 for the Encore.

[Grumulkin]

I have 24, 26 and 28 inch Encore barrels and like them all but for something in 308 Winchester, I would go for the 24 incher.

[lepcur]

For hunting purposes, and especially for the 308 cased rounds I really like about a 20-22" barrel. I have a 338 federal that was a 28" fluted and it's now a 20" and what a pleasure to carry and shoot.  JMO     Mike

[Hopalong7]

If I had to leave them "as is", I would definately go w/ the 24" tapered barrel.  But, my real choice would be like lepcur's, a heavy barrel cut to 20-22" and recrowned.
Walt

[Cheesehead]

I bought a 24" tapered 308 barrel and had it cut to 20 inches.

Cheese