Skip to content
Lindcott Armory

Wildcat · Wildcat

.308x1.5-inch Barnes

Also known as .308 x 1.5 Barnes · .308 Barnes

Early shortened-.308 wildcat (case cut to ~1.5"); tracing the lineage of later efficient .30-caliber cartridges..

Caliber
0.308″ · 7.823 mm
Introduced
1961
Case
Rimless
Parent
.308 Winchester
Primary use
Hunting, Wildcat experimentation
Status
Wildcat

Buy this cartridge

Buy at Rivertown

Buying from Rivertown

Partner link
Velocity2,500–2,893 fps
Energy2,081–2,787 ft·lb · est.
Identity
Introduced
1961
Type
Wildcat
Origin
United States
Inventor
Frank C. Barnes
Standard
Wildcat
Status
Wildcat
Availability
Handload Only
Build
Primer
Large Rifle
Case type
Rimless
Pressure & range
Eff. range
150 yd

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · velocity only, no drag model · 100 yd zero0–800 yd
-120" -100" -80" -60" -40" -20" 0" Line of sight 0 yd 100 yd 200 yd 300 yd 400 yd 500 yd 600 yd 700 yd 800 yd 100 yd zero 116″ drop @ 800 yd
Drop Zero

Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .308x1.5-inch Barnes, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.

Open in Ballistic Compare
Parent case
.308 Winchester

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

SAAMI · approximate
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀ 7.820.308 ·
Neck ⌀ 8.590.338 ·
Shoulder ⌀ 11.430.450 ·
Shoulder angle 20°— ~
Base ⌀ 11.840.466 ~
Rim ⌀ 11.940.470 ~
Belt ⌀ n/a
Rim thickness 1.220.048 ~
Neck length ——
Case length 38.101.500 ·
Overall length 52.072.050 ·

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .308x1.5-inch Barnes is highlighted below.

Missing a dimension for .308x1.5-inch Barnes? Some case measurements aren't in a published SAAMI/CIP drawing yet. Have a factory or reamer print? Send it → — verified hard-to-find data earns a free Lindcott sticker.

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Lineage

Immediate parent
.308 Winchester
Family TreeOpen .308x1.5-inch Barnes in the interactive cartridge family tree

Connected reference

FirearmsFirearms in .308x1.5-inch BarnesToolCompare ballistics

History

Frank C. Barnes, March 1961; spawned the short-fat benchrest (BR) cartridge family.

FAQs

What bullet diameter is .308x1.5-inch Barnes?
.308x1.5-inch Barnes uses a 0.308″ (7.823 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .308x1.5-inch Barnes still in production?
.308x1.5-inch Barnes is wildcat; typical availability is handload only.
What is .308x1.5-inch Barnes used for?
.308x1.5-inch Barnes is primarily used for hunting, wildcat experimentation.
What is .308x1.5-inch Barnes based on?
.308x1.5-inch Barnes is derived from the .308 Winchester case.

Sources & provenance

  • Reference Frank C. Barnes / F+W Media — Cartridges of the World, 13th ed. (2012), pp. 246 & 188 · year, bullet ⌀, velocity, grain weights
  • Secondary Wikipedia — .308×1.5-inch Barnes · year, velocity archived

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →