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Posted: 7/20/2009 3:26:16 PM EDT
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I plan on building a taget / varmit setup and after reading alot of information, I'm curious as to how much more accuracy a 24 inch barrel is going to produce vs. a 16,18 or 20 inch. I've noticed that several manufacturers are claiming 3/4 MOA with 20" or shorter barrels. Any suggestions?
Bret |
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Barrel length effects velocity not accuracy.
That said, a higher velocity bullet has a flatter trajectory which makes long distance shooting easier. Iron sights get a longer sight radius, which helps too. Decide just how accurate the barrel has to be and buy accordingly. BSW |
| The average shooter (and most who consider themselves above average) won't be able to tell much of a difference between the barrel lengths you mentioned. I've heard that with the 24" barrel you will get some more velocity but that's about it. The rifle I qualified with in boot camp (20" A2) probably had a billion rounds through the barrel but I was still able to keep all 10 in the 10 ring at 500 meters. But all I had done for the previous 3 weeks was train to shoot like that. If 200 yards is your limit I think the 18" or 20" length would be a good way to go. The 16" barrel will handle that range as well but I'm partial to 18 or 20. Just MHO. |
| A good 16" can shoot better than a bad 24". That being said, I don't try to split hairs at 400 yards. I aim for minute of bad guy as some people say. If you need/want more, you may want to spend accordingly. Many people report reasonable accuracy from any reputable manufacturer. The key is probably more practice than anything else. |
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The barrel length doesn't matter for the most part from 16" to 24" except at medium to extreme range. Longer barrel = higher velocity, more potential accuracy at distance. A high quality barrel matters much more to how accurate a rifle will be when used for it's intended purpose. What's the max distance do you want to shoot? Choose the barrel length for there?
Just my 2 cents, .223/5.56 barrel for me: 16" out to 200 Yards, 20" out to 400 and 24" at distances beyond that. If you want to shoot at 100 yards, all are equil. The bullet will just get there faster with a long barrel. And, Welcome to the Forum, SO-13 |
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Thank you and to everyone else that replied to my question.
What should I be looking for? A button rifled barrel? Crome lined? Any certain manufacturer? I was considering buying a Rock River A4 Stainless Varmit with a 24" barrel which includes a two stage NM trigger. I've seen a few listed for $1089.00 complete, which is a little under MSRP. I'm somewhat new to AR15's and I'm not sure wether to build one or buy one from Rock River Arms. How much can one save buy putting one together from a stripped lower receiver? (not factoring some special tools I'll have to purchase). My goal is to have an accurate varmit / target upper with mounted scope. Bret |
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That is a nice rifle, but HEAVY! The shorter barrels have an easier time at achieving accuracy due to less harmonic resonance, but that isn't that big a deal with a .223 until the barrel profile gets pretty skinny. Also the chamber has a lot to do with it. The .223 chamber will be the best, but only for .223. If you ever wish to use any NATO ammo, you need a different chamber. The Wylde, Mod. 0/1 and other match chambers will handle both safely, but the 5.56 NATO chamber is sloppier to maximize reliability. Chrome lining also detracts from accuracy a hair, but the barrel lasts twice as long. Also stainless cleans by far the easiest with chrome in second. Button rifling is by far the most common and there are debates every so often about rifling, but most of us can't tell the difference unless we handload and strap the thing in a vise.
And for what its worth, my long barrel is a Model 1 Sales 24" tacticool Hbar kit. It maybe the NATO chamber, but it groups better a little dirty. I can put PMC in 1 1/2-1 1/4" groups at will. Best groups so far are from American Eagle 50gr. and they can print around 5/8" depending on caffeine intake, and I only shoot off the bipod with my hand as rear support. Next barrel might be a Rock River 20" NM heavy SS. I have seen amazing things from those for the price, but I don't screw with backorders so I'll wait. Maybe a White Oak or Kreiger 18" will pop up used for a good price. |
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Quoted:
Thank you and to everyone else that replied to my question. What should I be looking for? A button rifled barrel? Crome lined? Any certain manufacturer? I was considering buying a Rock River A4 Stainless Varmit with a 24" barrel which includes a two stage NM trigger. I've seen a few listed for $1089.00 complete, which is a little under MSRP. I'm somewhat new to AR15's and I'm not sure wether to build one or buy one from Rock River Arms. How much can one save buy putting one together from a stripped lower receiver? (not factoring some special tools I'll have to purchase). My goal is to have an accurate varmit / target upper with mounted scope. Bret What are going to do with the rifle? What range are you going to shoot at and what glass are you going to use? Your question is along the lines of ‘What’s better, a Porsche or a GMC pickup?’ Kinda depends on what you’re planning on doing: Driving friken’ fast or hauling a ton of cinderblock. Both my AR barrels are chromed 1/7 5.56 NATO and I get around 1.2 MOA with them. I wanted lifetime and the ability to use pretty much any .223 or 5.56 ammo. I get plenty of accuracy for what I use the rifles for, but I’m not shooting bull’s-eyes or groundhogs at 600 yards either. Generally, barrels the are broach cut are better then button rifled. Non-chromed are better than chromed. If you can’t be bothered to clean a rifle but once a year, I'd steer clear of plain steel and go with a stainless match barrel for ultimate accuracy and hardchromed for a utility barrel. BSW |
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Thats great information. Could you steer me twards some data that reveals how much more velocity a 24 inch would produce versus a 20 inch. I guess I'm trying to predict how much bullet drop there will be. 400 years is probabally going to be max distance for smoking groundhogs, partially because i dont want to invest in a super high dollar 40x power scope.
Bret |
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Quoted:
I plan on building a taget / varmit setup and after reading alot of information, I'm curious as to how much more accuracy a 24 inch barrel is going to produce vs. a 16,18 or 20 inch. I've noticed that several manufacturers are claiming 3/4 MOA with 20" or shorter barrels. Any suggestions? Bret I am no expert , but here is what I read . Everything else being equal , with iron sights , longer is better . With quality optics , shorter may be better because it is stiffer ( less whip ) everything else being equal . Longer may give greater velocity in some calibers . This lessens bullet drop , a little . God bless Wyr |
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What is different when a barrel is advertised as "match grade" ? More accurate tolerances or heat treatment?
I was thinking of going with a 20 inch Wilson stainless match grade bull barrel, instead of the 24 inch non match grade bull stainless. Any suggestions? Bret |
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