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AR15.COM
3/20/2007 5:40:38 PM EDT
I am looking at buying a RRA varmit A4 in either a 20" or a 24" barrel. This would be my first AR so I am basing my descision on reveiws an forums. I would like to know what practical advantage the 24" barrel has over the 20" obviously there would be a gain in velocity for a given load. How much of an increase in accuracy could one expect to see or would it be negligible. The 20" seems like it would be handier in many ways so unless there is a great advantge to the 24" that is probably what I will go with. I want a rifle I can use for varmiting, shooting the occasional high power match, and plinking for fun as well.

Thanks
3/21/2007 4:08:28 AM EDT
[#1]
24" versus 20":
Plus:  Slight advantage in velocity and energy (which may lead to slight acuracy advantage,cespecially at slightly longer ranges as velocity starts to scrub off and any winds have made/are making their presence known), and availability of 24" in optional 1:12 twist.
Minus:24" is heavier and longer.
Steve/RRA
3/21/2007 7:54:06 AM EDT
[#2]
I just built one with a dpms lower, rra 24" 1in8 varmint a4 upper and a rra NM LPK and it is consistently shooting 3 round groups of .25" or less with my handloads. I really don't find the 24" length to be a problem on this rifle at all.
3/21/2007 4:34:03 PM EDT
[#3]
Does any one know of a resourse that compares velocity of a round in both a 20" and a 24" barrel?
3/21/2007 5:25:41 PM EDT
[#4]
I don't have a comparison resource, but check out a recent (on news stands now) article in Shooting Times magazine.  They shoot a RRA A4 Varmint in 18" and the author likes the model alot.  He achieved 0.3" groupings (5 round) with factory ammo (62 grain, I think).  I don't have the article otherwise I'd give more details (I lent the mag to a friend who is making the same decision you are--he was convinced he wanted the 24" but is now leaning more towards the shorter barrels for easier handling (including maneuverability).  That all said, another consideration for you, depending on $$$ is to buy a 24" Varmint, and a 16" carbine separately.  Then you've got all of your bases covered.  Just my $0.02.  Good luck!
3/21/2007 6:11:44 PM EDT
[#5]

Quoted:
 That all said, another consideration for you, depending on $$$ is to buy a 24" Varmint, and a 16" carbine separately.  Then you've got all of your bases covered.  Just my $0.02.  Good luck!


Thats the best idea I have a 16" elite car a4, 20" standard a4 and this new varminter I just built.
3/22/2007 9:16:20 PM EDT
[#6]
I found this link it is an experiment corelating velocity with barrel lenth for a .223, they started with a 22" barrel and went down to 10" so far.  It is interesting exstrapilating from what I saw it would seem that the defference between a 20" and a 24" barrel is somewhere around 150 fps on average.

www.accuratereloading.com/223sb.html
3/24/2007 11:31:08 AM EDT
[#7]
Just shot my new 24" Varmint upper today.  Using 69 Sierra MK over 24 grns Varget I shot 5, 5 shot groups.  Smallest was .59, largest was .89.  This is the same load my NM upper shoots well.  Also tried some old American Eagle I had and that suprized me, 5 shots in just under 1 inch.  ADCOM was crap however, 3 inch groups !
3/24/2007 7:33:12 PM EDT
[#8]
I had a 24" Varmint upper.  Bring some Advil with you, it is a Heavy set up, I mean heavy....I sold mine.  
3/27/2007 7:58:21 PM EDT
[#9]
I could have fluted it for you and you would have smiled every time you picked it up.