18.5 inch barrels on M1A
- Thread starter Longeyes
- Start date
I didn't get one yet but I will.
Accuracy can increase or decrease, depending on the quality of the muzzle crown before/after.
Reliability is the same. Springfield armory use the same gas system on the 22" than on the 18" scout/bush models (which are restricted here).
Advantages: fast handling, balance point behind.
Disadvantages: some velocity and energy lost, bullet droping a bit faster (noticeable at long range).
Many consider that the velocity loss is not much and that 18" might be the optimal barrel lenght for the M14. Ultimately it depends on your needs: some more handling or a bit more reach?
Accuracy can increase or decrease, depending on the quality of the muzzle crown before/after.
Reliability is the same. Springfield armory use the same gas system on the 22" than on the 18" scout/bush models (which are restricted here).
Advantages: fast handling, balance point behind.
Disadvantages: some velocity and energy lost, bullet droping a bit faster (noticeable at long range).
Many consider that the velocity loss is not much and that 18" might be the optimal barrel lenght for the M14. Ultimately it depends on your needs: some more handling or a bit more reach?
I was on the phone to the people from kreiger before I ordered my barrel. They felt that for the skinny m14 barrel that shorter could well be more accurate because of reduced whip. Heavier barrels have the stiffness so length isn't as much an issue. I don't know but I like the feel and the way it looks in general. Still waiting for word on my kreiger barrel. (Ian that would be a hint
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)follow up questions
Ok so, the reason I asked about the barrel chop is that I'd heard about it a little down here but the discussion on the local boards always seems to degrade to a traditional vs new kind of argument. I'm thinking about chopping my MN heavy barrel and adding a direct thread type brake. I'll be using the rifle as my carbine for combined tactical type matches where we use precision rifles for LR out to 1000+ and carbines out to about 600 but mostly from 2-400. The targets used are 2MOA so I need the accuracy. My M1A is scoped so the iron sights are not used. But, before I do anything as drastic as chopping the barrel, I'm trying to get all the info I can. One of the other questions is whether or not the SEI direct connect navy type brake can be used (the brake is actually for AR type rifles with 1/2-28 threads but has a 5.56/6.8 bore) after opening it up to .350? And yea I did some searching on this board but couldn't find the answers I'm looking for.
Ok so, the reason I asked about the barrel chop is that I'd heard about it a little down here but the discussion on the local boards always seems to degrade to a traditional vs new kind of argument. I'm thinking about chopping my MN heavy barrel and adding a direct thread type brake. I'll be using the rifle as my carbine for combined tactical type matches where we use precision rifles for LR out to 1000+ and carbines out to about 600 but mostly from 2-400. The targets used are 2MOA so I need the accuracy. My M1A is scoped so the iron sights are not used. But, before I do anything as drastic as chopping the barrel, I'm trying to get all the info I can. One of the other questions is whether or not the SEI direct connect navy type brake can be used (the brake is actually for AR type rifles with 1/2-28 threads but has a 5.56/6.8 bore) after opening it up to .350? And yea I did some searching on this board but couldn't find the answers I'm looking for.
Contact LRB and get there tanker barrel or chop you exciting barrel for 600 meter's or less will have no noticeable loss in accuracy. In fact the whip factor will be less and the manoverability will be greatly enhanced. Just don't chop below the 18" mark as it will open up your wallet book more and accuracy at longer distance's will be greatly effected.
As for that Navy Brake by SEI...
Lets just say it's the best damm brake I have ever used.
Now if you really want to make your M14 rock out on CQB matches and don't care about iron sight's contact M14Doctor and get him to make you his CQB model.
It places the recoil straight back & with the SEI muzzle brake, muzzle rise and felt recoil is nil. Also wieght is less than a Vltor stock but the strength and ridgity is way more supior.
I have 1 of these "shorties" done up by the doc and I can say with certainty that under sistained fire it out preformes my stock M14 barrel action hand's down. Then when it get's placed in this stock...
Well letz just say it :rocksOn:
P.S. When done your rifle can u please post back here with some pic's and a review on what you have done, with likes & dis-likes.
As for that Navy Brake by SEI...
Lets just say it's the best damm brake I have ever used.
Now if you really want to make your M14 rock out on CQB matches and don't care about iron sight's contact M14Doctor and get him to make you his CQB model.
It places the recoil straight back & with the SEI muzzle brake, muzzle rise and felt recoil is nil. Also wieght is less than a Vltor stock but the strength and ridgity is way more supior.
I have 1 of these "shorties" done up by the doc and I can say with certainty that under sistained fire it out preformes my stock M14 barrel action hand's down. Then when it get's placed in this stock...
Well letz just say it :rocksOn:
P.S. When done your rifle can u please post back here with some pic's and a review on what you have done, with likes & dis-likes.
+1 I tried to get BDW firearms to import LRB, not sure if it will work... Satain, would you get it trough Questar or Dave's import?
To me, a heavy barrel sounds weird with carbine. But again you (Longeyes) know your needs.
For premium information on the M14, check at "M14 the firing line". Beware, you might be reading and dreaming for the next months...
I had my Norc shortened by Jeff Smith at Valleygunsmithing. I have only really tried her out to 200m with 150gr FMJ-BT reloads. I can't recall how my groups were though. It was minute of silhouette for sure though
Since I put the AKM stock on it, and the EOTech, I don't really push it past 100m anymore. I will get it out shooting more once the son grows up a bit.
Unless I was trying to make a tack driver out of the M305, I would shorten the barrel on every one I get. I love it. Long time...
- Mac
Since I put the AKM stock on it, and the EOTech, I don't really push it past 100m anymore. I will get it out shooting more once the son grows up a bit.
Unless I was trying to make a tack driver out of the M305, I would shorten the barrel on every one I get. I love it. Long time...
- Mac
Satain, I would post pics now but I dont have permissions to post attachments. One of the reasons I was looking at the SEI brake is no bottom ports which = less dust in prone position. I will definitely be contacting M14Doc about a barrel chop, I'm planning on being at the clinic in dec, so, maybe I can work something out.
My rifle started out as a gun show lucky find---A guy traded me for my socom II. I got this rifle and some NV optics--I was looking for a good starting point for a build I had in mind and as things turned out I got lucky. The rifle is a SA loaded model that was badly packaged in a USGI fiberglass stock that was a lousy fit (the action moved around even with the trigger assy locked down). So I did a carbon fiber re-inforcement of the forend and bedded the stock as well as a pistol grip modification and added a Troy rail. Now she shoots 1moa while prone using a rest with most ammo but really likes my 168gr handloads.
I'm at the point where I'm fine tuning my setup for use as my spotter carbine for the matches.
I'm also a member on the M14 firing line which is where I've gotten most of my advice from.
My rifle started out as a gun show lucky find---A guy traded me for my socom II. I got this rifle and some NV optics--I was looking for a good starting point for a build I had in mind and as things turned out I got lucky. The rifle is a SA loaded model that was badly packaged in a USGI fiberglass stock that was a lousy fit (the action moved around even with the trigger assy locked down). So I did a carbon fiber re-inforcement of the forend and bedded the stock as well as a pistol grip modification and added a Troy rail. Now she shoots 1moa while prone using a rest with most ammo but really likes my 168gr handloads.
I'm at the point where I'm fine tuning my setup for use as my spotter carbine for the matches.
I'm also a member on the M14 firing line which is where I've gotten most of my advice from.
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Thanks!
Nice rifle and sweet project! I would only use lower rings but to each his own.
SAI Loaded models have medium barrels.
