308 BLR is it a good sniper rifle

[Howie93]

I currently have a 308 BLR with a 20 inch barrel with a leopold 6 x 40 M8 Leupold scope. I am considering getting a bolt action with a 22 or 24 inch barrel. Does the barrel length have that much to do with accuracy or is the gun I have just about as good as it gets.
Thanks loads for all your input.
H

 

[JShirley]

'Pends on what you want to do with it. From what I've experienced and read, the Brownings- including the BLR- are good, accurate pieces. If you're looking for something to punch paper with, up to say, 300 meters, you're probably fine as-is.

If you want something you can drag through the mud and still have function, you probably don't want a lever gun.

If you want something that will allow you to dot the i in a magazine advertisement at 300 meters, you probably want a bolt gun.

Basically, if you just are looking to practice shooting at up to 300 yards or so, you're set, unless you're looking for "extreme" accuracy. Barrel length theoretically IS a factor in how accurate your piece is, but you have a trade-off: as you decrease your barrel length, you theoretically decrease "barrel whip" (vibration), increasing accuracy. At the same time, a longer barrel (up to a certain point) add velocity, increasing practical accuracy. (In other words, since your bullet travels faster, it doesn't drop as much, and the shooter doesn't have to adjust as much at distance.)

Clear as mud?

John

 

[El Tejon]

Software trumps hardware.

 

[bad LT]

El Tejon - very, very true...

A good shot with a "bad" weapon is very effective.

A bad shot with a "good" weapon is very ineffective.

 

[artherd]

El Tejon - very, very true...

A good shot with a "bad" weapon is very effective.

A bad shot with a "good" weapon is very ineffective.

I gotta disagree a bit with you there.

A good shot with a bad weapon is still a miss.

A bad shot with a good weapon is still a miss.

A real good shot with a decent weapon is DEVISTATING!

 

[Preacherman]

Howie, the BLR is an excellent hunting rifle, but it's really not intended for extreme accuracy, nor for shot-to-shot consistency. Consider:

1. The barrel can't be free-floated as easily as it can with a bolt rifle;

2. The barrel is relatively thin and light compared to the heavy-barrel "accuracy" guns sold by manufacturers, so that as the barrel heats up (which it will do in two to three shots), the point of impact of the bullet will change relative to your point of aim;

3. The stock is not designed for extreme accuracy, but rather for portability.

For extended precision shooting, you need a rifle built for that requirement.

 

[24kshooter]

Barrel length of 18 and over in a .308 has some relation to accuracy but is more is more of a ballastics issue. Recently tactical 308 20" bbl rifles are proving as accurate as 26" rifles at 600 yds and under ranges. A bolt action is going to be more inherently accurate than your BLR regardless of the bbl length. If you are using rifle as a basic hunting tool then I think the BLR you have is fine - however I would upgrade my scope to higher magnification.

 

[45Badger]

At 100 yards, my .308 BLR groups about 1.5" with good 168 gr ammo. 150 gr stuff flies out to 6".

My 700P shot one hole, .5" groups at 100 yards.

You can do much better in terms of accuracy than a BLR, but for a deer rifle at "standard" hunting distances it will do just fine.