User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 8/12/2001 9:06:52 PM EDT
[#1]
Well it's significant at a distance. 200yds the 20" is definantely a worthy difference. 50yds...well, not much difference (to me [:)]).
The 20" is about 4moa at 100yds with me, and the 16 is about 6moa. of course, I suck and need significant practice. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/13/2001 7:25:41 AM EDT
[#2]
Physically, the barrel length has very little to do with accuracy. The exception is the longer sight radius of the 20" barrel will make for more accurate shooting if the shooter does his/her part. However, the barrel length does have a significant impact on muzzle velocity, which can and will affect accuracy at longer ranges.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/13/2001 8:47:30 AM EDT
[#3]
The exception is the longer sight radius of the 20" barrel will make for more accurate shooting if the shooter does his/her part. So if you use a scope on a 16" AR the accuracy will be equal to the 20" except of longer ranges (muzzle velocity)?! |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/13/2001 8:52:19 AM EDT
[#4]
Quoted: The exception is the longer sight radius of the 20" barrel will make for more accurate shooting if the shooter does his/her part. So if you use a scope on a 16" AR the accuracy will be equal to the 20" except of longer ranges (muzzle velocity)?! That will depend, of course, on the particular gun but as a rule of thumb a high quality 16" barrel will be close enough to a similar quality 20" barrel that you will not notice much differnce. I have a 16" Oly stainless ultra match barrel on one of my uppers, and it consitently shoots sub-MOA. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/13/2001 10:43:54 AM EDT
[#5]
I also have an Olympic stainless ultramatch 16" on one of my ARs. It has outshot every 20" barrel that I have tried. I finally put 16" tubes on all of my ARs. You will get greater velocity which helps on wind drift at longer ranges with a 20" tube. Other than that accuracy will depend on barrel quality not length.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/13/2001 10:50:06 AM EDT
[#6]
16" barrel vs. 20" barrel...
Come on now boys, let's be scientific here. If the barrels are of EQUAL quality, the 20" will be more acurate. Period. Shhhhh! Period. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/13/2001 10:54:40 AM EDT
[#7]
If accuracy is how consistant the rifle shoots (group size), barrel length has little effect. In fact, shorter barrels will tend to be more accurate because they have less barrel whip.
However, if you are using irons, the longer sight radius will make the 20" more accurate. For me, there is a significant difference. If you are using optics, that will not matter. The 20" barrel will have more velocity, so the bullet will shoot flatter and be less susceptible to wind drift. But the difference is not huge. The biggest impact of the longer barrel is that, due to the increased velocity, your bullets are going to fragment at longer ranges. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/13/2001 10:56:48 AM EDT
[#8]
equal quality 16" vs 20", accuracy differences will be insignificant.
Muzzle velocity will be dramatically different. MV is important both for wind bucking and terminal velocity... Thus, the 16" is ideal for short range, the 20" for medium range and 20+ for long range... I bought a bushmaster dissipator 16" to keep the long sight radius...my M4 profile upper is much harder to keep "on target" with the shorter sight radius. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/13/2001 11:02:06 AM EDT
[#9]
If you were a sniper shooting from 600 meters, and had two weapons to choose from:
1) Bushmaster Flattop with Leupold scope and 16" Heavy Barrel. 2) Bushmaster Flattop with Leupold scope and 20" Heavy Barrel. ...which would YOU use? |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/13/2001 12:07:44 PM EDT
[#10]
The 20" barrel...for the added MV.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/13/2001 12:12:23 PM EDT
[#11]
M-M -
I'll take the 20". The added velocity gives more penetration, gives me longer range for reliable fragmentation. (600 is WAY too far for fragmentation, regardless of barrel length) I'll take it for velocity, not really for accuracy. |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
