Quoted:
Quoted: Why would the M4 have a velocity advantage over the shorty when they have the same barrel length?
Can someone enlighten me here?
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The Bushmaster M4 and AK shorty both have 14 1/2" barrels with permanently attached 1 1/2" long muzzle brakes. Total length is 16".
Now if you read Troy and Tajanas Ammo FAQs like I told you to....you would now know that the "magic velocity" is over 2700 fps. Maximum effective range with M193 ammo from a 14.5" barrel is about 100 meters and about 150 meters from a 16" barrel.
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Frank,
I did read the ammo faq as you suggested and it was very helpful. And although I had lurked here for a while prior to narrowing my search I had NO idea that there were such differences in the ammo between the 55gr and 62gr. In fact I am still confused as to if there are any commercially available rifles chambered for the 5.56 round as opposed to the tighter .223. It would seem the better solution would be to obtain a rifle in 5.56 in the event that surplus ammo (or a SHTF scenario happened and you had access to military m193 ammo) became available again. However it seems all the rifles are chambered for .223 which is fine for all intents and purposes.
Initially I was concerned with the ballistics of the shorty and the M4 at ranges of over 100 yrds. But then I decided I wanted a lightweight carbine more than the rifle so I am ok with the limitations.
However Scotthewitt's comment led me to believe that the flat top had some inherent disadvantage to the non-removable top. I still dont understand this. Assuming the same length barrel WITH muzzle brake - why would the flat top have any difference than the other?
I understand that the shorty withOUT the muzzle brake has a longer barrel and thus higher velocity. But what does that have to do with the flat top versus the non-flat top?