I struggle to keep two firearms that will do exactly the same thing. One of these rifles has to go but I am struggling.



The LTR on bottom shoots amazingly well with federal gold medal match 1/3-1/2moa. Also shoots identical point of impact with federal fusions so I don’t have to adjust between paper punching and hunting. Fluted barrel is a bit lighter. Parkerized finish has held up extremely well. Would have to pay $75 to thread or $125 to thread or shorten to run a can. 1 in 12 twist so running sub Sonics may never be possible which takes away some wow factor. Made a number of crazy shots with this rifle and it has some stories to tell.



Just picked up the 16.5” tactical. Previous owner got some outstanding groups with 175 gold medal but only have a couple rounds and no idea how it would shoot the federal fusion rounds I’ve got as they are all I have. It’s shorter so it would be more handy. Has the xmark pro trigger which is terrible. A the hogue stock that leaves lots to be desired. The matte Remington finish is horrible but spending $200 getting it cerakote seems foolish. It’s 1 in 10 and previous owner had success running 180graij Rex subs through the rifle.



My plan was to pull the stock, trigger, rings, base, and scope off the LTR and swap to the tactical. But was having second thoughts. Biggest concern is switching everything and the rifle not shooting the only .308 load I have and if it does t shoot I have to swap everything back, re sight in scope since ammo availability is not where I can track down other hunting rounds. Then still have to pay to have the LTR threaded.


So given the above what would you do?

Keep both! Honestly keep the LTR it’s proven. You can get you’re asking price on the 16.5 tac model. You’ll spend more money getting the sps to hang with the LTR.

Thread the LTR and sell the other. If you have a gun with a good trigger that shoots good, don't mess with it and don't sell it in order to keep an unknown.

I would keep both, Totally modify the Tactical more.

Sell both and get Alamo or Horizon to build one.

Sounds like you are more fond of the old girl so I'd keep her for sure. That flutted barrel is sweet to

Also sounds to me like you really like the LTR. I think confidence in a rifle is something to consider.

Haha I know the struggle but I would keep both or get rid of the shorter barreled one if you just can’t live with two

LTR is already short, no way I’d sell it because they are hard to come by. That 16.5” thing if your not running a can all the time would be noisy as ever.

180’s shoot fine in a 308 1:12 twist, even 185”s just don’t think your gonna shoot 190’s or heavier, not enough gas in the 308 to shoot much past 185 gr bullet anyways, don’t get caught up on twist rate.

In a 308 I’d rather have slower like a 13-14” twist with 3 grooves and focus on shooting 150-155.5 grain bullets personally.

I own and shoot that same 16.5" 308 with the not so great Hogue stock. It's my primary hunting rifle. I like it and it serves it's purpose. The 1:12" twist is fine, and will stabilize and shoot most anything supersonic from about 200 grain Sierra MatchKing and under. I've played with the 190 SMK in the 1:12", and it works great.

For subsonic, you will need to reduce the bullet weight some to reduce the bullet length. The bullet length is the main factor, not the weight. So a flat base SP or flat base RN would work well as a sub in a 1:12" twist. But if the subs are important and you want to shoot a certain heavy or long bullet, then go with the 1:10" twist. The 180 grain SP bullets work well in a 1:12" twist as a subsonic.

I like to tinker with rifles and loads, so I would make the stock conversion over and at least try it and see how it does. The good thing about the 308 Win round is that is shows a minimal POI shift from many different bullets. So having multiple rounds shoot to the same POI is common.

1:10 twist LR-308 runs 155 gr TMKs just fine.

If you've got an aggressive twist .308, and want to run 155's, go for it.

keep the LTR and sell me the REm. PM me if your selling.

Sounds like the only thing you are uncertain of about the shorter one is how it shoots. My thoughts, if you dont have enough ammo to shoot it a little you dont have enough to save. I would at least give it a shot you can always put the scope trigger stock etc. back on the original if it doesnt shoot to your liking.

I’d keep the 16.5” rifle and be done. Unless you’re planning on lobbing some rounds long range, the 16.5” rifle will do everything you need.

Totally understand a 10 twist runs really any 30 cal fine.. a 13 or 14 will run a 155.5. 3100 fps maybe even faster.
I get that a lot of you guys wanna run subs and cans on everything and prefer the shorter barrels. To me a 308 at 16” is like only shooting 44 specials in a 44mag, if you have a magnum shoot the magnum. Otherwise there may be a better caliber for the intended purpose. I have never seen a gun at a long range match with a 16” barrel.

I'm a little late to chime in but I too have had great results with 155 bullets, berger vld, out of my 1-10 26" shilen barrel at about 2930fps. That was the best 300yd group I've ever shot.

I have a NIB 20" LTR with factory threaded barrel if your interested. PM me.

Is it a newer model LTR? Mine is the lighter 700P version.

I’d keep the LTR and ditch the other.

I only have one rifle over 20" and don't really care to have another. I'm not a LRPS shooter, so that is a consideration. My favorite bolt gun is a 16".

.30 caliber bullet punching a big hole in flesh. Inside 300 yards, it works quite well.

.308 for long range does need a long barrel to do well. However, my 16" gas gun has done fine to 1000 yards. I wouldn't shoot a match with it, or any other .308 for that matter. But you're the only one that's brought it up.

Do I understand correctly that you need to sell a rifle because you do not currently have your preferred ammo for that rifle? In this day and time? I just don't get the need to sell one mentality, but, hey, it's your rifle.

Almost. Don’t need two short .308 rifles. I have an unthreaded rifle that shoots extremely well with the only ammo I have and it does not appear to become more available before hunting season at a minimizing.


I picked up a shorter already threaded .308 that has the potential to shoot a wider variety of rounds, but if it doesn’t shoot the only ammo I own, I’m going through a lot of trouble just to have to put it back on the longer .308z

Scot,

Historically, short barrels have a wide margin of good shooting powder charges, and good shooting bullets. A short barrel is a stiff barrel. Since your 24" .308 shoots target and hunting ammo well, I'll bet you a dollar the short barrel shoots both types of ammo as well, or better. They will just have a lower muzzle velocity out of the 16" barrel.

Switching stock and scope is a ten minute job. Bore sight the scope on the new rifle. Fire one at paper, find it, if it's close enough fire two more. Repeat for the other ammo.

I don't know why this is being made out to be a big deal.