I'm new to the site and I had a quick question. I plan to buy a RRA varmint A4 when I return from Iraq. I am wondering which barrel length and twist rate to go with. I am thinking 18" with 1:8. This gun will be used primarily for coyote huntin in the east and plinkin. I would like to use 52-60gr factory ammo. Any help you can provide will be much appreciated. Great site by the way.

SSG Groves
2/506th INF, 101st ABN DIV
Operation Iraqi Freedom

Quoted: I'm new to the site and I had a quick question. I plan to buy a RRA varmint A4 when I return from Iraq. I am wondering which barrel length and twist rate to go with. I am thinking 18" with 1:8. This gun will be used primarily for coyote huntin in the east and plinkin. I would like to use 52-60gr factory ammo. Any help you can provide will be much appreciated. Great site by the way. SSG Groves 2/506th INF, 101st ABN DIV Operation Iraqi Freedom

Welcome!

18" with 1:8 would be just fine.  WWB 45gr 3600fps varmint ammo should work well also in a 1:8.  It shoots decent in my 20" 1:7 barrel.

Shok

www.ammo-oracle.com/

The guys above are knowledgeable shooters and their suggestions reflect it

As a casual shooter, I go with 16" with 1/7 twist

this gives me the versatility to shoot up to 77gr or optimally the 62.

Plus I have an AR that doubles as home defense (short and nimble enough) and can hit my target to 300m+


from what I have seen, precision shooters go with the 1/8 and 18" bbls., and the masses a 16" in 1/9 or 1/7.

In short, there doesn't seem to be a bad choice, as long as its not longer than 20" and no slower than 1/9.

Welcome to the site, dhnut, and thanks for your service!

Quoted: 16" 1:8

+1

Quoted: In short, there doesn't seem to be a bad choice, as long as its not longer than 20" ! hr

Is this just a weight concern or would it have a negative impact on accuracy?

Thanks for the quick responses guys you've been a big help. I think I'll go with the 18" 1:8. The 16" M-4's we use are pretty loud so the 18" would be a little better. I'm thinking ACE stock and the Hogue rubber tube with a bipod should make it look pretty cool. In the infantry today ya just gotta have the cool guy look. Thanks again for an awesome site.

Quoted: Quoted: In short, there doesn't seem to be a bad choice, as long as its not longer than 20" ! Is this just a weight concern or would it have a negative impact on accuracy?

The impact on accuracy would be theoretical at most.

Quoted: Quoted: In short, there doesn't seem to be a bad choice, as long as its not longer than 20" ! Is this just a weight concern or would it have a negative impact on accuracy?

combat-jack is saying what I meant to

I have read that the increase in accuracy (at least in an AR15) beyond 20"s is negligible.

I believe the ammo-oracle.com addresses this with some ballistic data. I suppose the theory is that the minor difference - if any - is offset by the challenge of carrying/wielding a 24 in the field.

For those who are pure bench-shooters, the extra 4" isn't a problem, and if they can squeeze .005% better performance.............they do.