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1/29/2007 8:06:30 PM EDT
Another question from a AR newbie here.  I am looking for opinons on barrel length.  16 or 20 inches.  The gun will not be used to compete but I do want accuracy.  Might do a bit of varmint hunting but it will be mostly a plinker and a gun to have-just in case.  
What about the increased muzzle blast?
Any thoughts or opinions will be appreciated.
Thanks
Steve
1/29/2007 8:07:44 PM EDT
[#1]

Quoted:
Another question from a AR newbie here.  I am looking for opinons on barrel length.  16 or 20 inches.  The gun will not be used to compete but I do want accuracy.  Might do a bit of varmint hunting but it will be mostly a plinker and a gun to have-just in case.  
What about the increased muzzle blast?
Any thoughts or opinions will be appreciated.
Thanks
Steve



A longer barrel will always give you higher velocity, but not always better accuracy.
1/29/2007 8:15:44 PM EDT
[#2]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Another question from a AR newbie here.  I am looking for opinons on barrel length.  16 or 20 inches.  The gun will not be used to compete but I do want accuracy.  Might do a bit of varmint hunting but it will be mostly a plinker and a gun to have-just in case.  
What about the increased muzzle blast?
Any thoughts or opinions will be appreciated.
Thanks
Steve



A longer barrel will always give you higher velocity, but not always better accuracy.



It seems the general consensus in this forum is the 16 inch barrel being the best all around; followed by the 14.5 with permanent hider.  The 20 inch ranked third.  I have a STAG with a 16 inch ,M4 configuration. The build i'm working on will have a 14.5 middy w permanent Phantom. The mid line gas systems are supposed to function more smoothly as well as being less problematic than the carbine.(not that my Stag has given me any problems) I will soon see. As far as muzzle flash, the 16, 14.5 and shorter barrels will have considerably less flash with a Vortex or Phantom over an A2.
1/29/2007 8:26:51 PM EDT
[#3]
A Gov. profile or M4 16 in. will probley do what you want 95% of the time. The quality of the barrel. Is more inportent than lenth. Check out CMMG 1/7 crome lined. Several deffent config. of 16 in. barrels top notch.
1/30/2007 4:17:36 AM EDT
[#4]
Any idea what % of velocity loss a 16" has vs a 20"
Thanks
1/30/2007 4:23:47 AM EDT
[#5]
I could be wrong about this but I thing the numbers are like 50 fps loss per 1" of barrel.  Thats what I have read anyways.  If you go below 14.5" you loose more than that I think.  
1/31/2007 10:25:42 PM EDT
[#6]
A standard 16 inch will roughly get 3100 fps and a standard 20 inch will roughly generate 3200 fps. Match barrels are a different story.
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