by John Markwell | Contributing Editor
The Wilson 308 with its 14.7 inch barrel is a handy package. Optic is a Leupold Mark 4 2.5-8 MR/T.
With the great success of Wilson Combat AR-platform rifles chambered for 5.56/.223 and other calibers compatible with that receiver size, it was only a matter of time. That time is now here with the introduction of the Wilson Combat 308 AR series of rifles.
Billed simply as the 308 Project, these new offerings from the boys in Arkansas have raised the bar in the large format AR market. Ryan Wilson sent us one of the first Tactical Lightweight Model carbines with a 14.7-inch barrel and permanently attached flash suppressor for testing during the winter of ’14-’15—not our favorite time of year for shooting. We did, however, manage to hang on to the 308 AR until the weather got somewhat warmer (it was snowing on the mountain where we shot on April 23). We got out and did some shooting with the 308 and managed to have several other folks shoot the handy little rifle, including a few Bureau snipers and their trainer who came down to wring out their new optics on the mountain where we hold American Sniper Challenge (ASC).
This five shot group measures .89” and includes a 1/2 MOA elevation correction for the upper three shots. The Wilson Combat 308 shoots!
The first thing one notices about the Wilson Combat 308 is the clean lines of the Bill-et-AR receivers. Fully machined, the upper and lower receivers have unique lines and are sized to the 308 cartridge, and the magazines to feed the bigger round. The receivers have a mil-spec hard anodized finish and are designed to accept commonly available metal or polymer “SR-25” pattern magazines. Our sample rifle came with one Lancer magazine. This polymer magazine, with its metal feed lips, was 100% reliable during our testing.
We like short, handy ARs, and the precision machined 14.7” barrel on the Wilson 308 certainly increased the maneuverability of this carbine. As we all know, there is a loss of velocity with shorter barrels. However, if one is looking for the highest velocities and long range performance out of a Wilson Combat 308, barrel lengths of 16, 18, and 20 inches are also available in slightly heavier packages. We were looking for a rifle suitable for mid-range use (0-500 yards) and the 14.7” barrel performed well within those ranges. As can be seen in the accompanying chart the velocities of the ammunition tested is pretty low when fired from a 14.7” barrel. For example, Federal Match with a 168-gr. Sierra Match King (SMK) has a velocity of 2694 fps when fired from a 26” barrel and 2524fps when fired from a 20” barrel. The 14.7” barrel of the Wilson 308 reduces that velocity to just 2438fps. Bear in mind however that, even with the reduced velocities, all the 308 ammunition tested has pretty close to double the energy of any .223/5.56 ammunition available.
We mounted a Leupold Mark 4 2.5-8 telescope for our mid-range testing. This scope, originally developed for the MK 12 SPR, is, in our opinion, a great scope for use on targets out to 600 yards or so. It has the TMR reticle and M2 dials calibrated in 1/2MOA. Our first group fired with Federal’s Gold Medal Match loaded with the 168-gr. SMK bullet set a pretty tough standard for the rest of the ammo tested. Using a one inch paster for an aiming point, the first two shots impacted just .33” apart but a bit low and slightly left. We dialed in 1/2MOA elevation and fired three more rounds making for a total group size of .89”, including the 1/2MOA correction. The Wilson Combat 308 Project rifle was a shooter. Below are the results of the rest of our testing.
The Tactical Lightweight Model’s (TLM) 14.7 inch match grade barrel has a Lo-Profile gas system and is shrouded by Wilson’s TRIM hand guard rail and capped by a permanently attached Accu-Tac Flash Hider. For enhanced control and ease of shooting, the TLW 308 has a Bravo Company Pistol Grip and a Wilson/Rogers Super Stock. The NP3 plated premium bolt and bolt carrier are combined with a Mod 4 BCMGUNFIGHTER Charging Handle. The bolt carrier assembly is noticeably larger than one for a .223/5.56 rifle and its NP3 plating eased cleaning considerably. The fire control system of the TLM 308 is the justly famous Wilson TTU (Tactical Trigger Unit) which, on our sample carbine broke so superbly that we never even thought of measuring the weight of pull. It was probably the best trigger we’ve ever encountered on an AR rifle. Except for the receivers, the entire rifle is Armor-Tuff finished for the ultimate in protection.
Weighing in at just 7.7 pounds, the Tactical Lightweight Model is one of the lightest 308 frame ARs on the market. Recoil was a bit daunting when shooting the carbine prone over a pack but from the bench or from an upright position it was quite tolerable. We experienced a couple failures of the trigger to re-set during the early stages of our testing, but as we got used to the trigger action, this problem disappeared. We’ve had the same problem with some other “good” AR triggers in the past; it seems like staying “on them” solves the problem.
For the shooter/hunter looking for a light and handy carbine with more power than the standard 5.56/.223, the new 308 Tactical Lightweight Model could be just the ticket. Unlike some of the other large cartridges for which AR platform rifles are chambered, the 308 cartridge is commonly available anywhere in the US in a variety of loadings to meet anyone’s needs. The Wilson 308 carbine we tested would be equally at home on the range or in the game fields and would make a capital utility weapon for a rural retreat, farm, or ranch. The Wilson Tactical Lightweight Model is priced at $2995 and is available now from your local Wilson Combat dealer. For more information, phone: 800-955-4856, or visit online at: WilsonCombat.com. Good Shooting.
