Barrel length questions

Davy Crockett

Davy Crockett

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So I'm still trying to figure out which direction to go with my next AR. One thing that I'm wondering is, is there really such a thing as a do it all barrel length?

14.5 is probably a bit short for the longer range stuff and 16 feels a bit long for tighter confines. Is it better to go with separate uppers for specific applications or is there really a happy medium?

I guess ideally I would have a 20" upper for SR and a 10.5 or 12.5 for >200m. The only problem then, is which do I get first since I can really only afford one for now.
 
I'm planning on getting a 16" for Service Rifle, and maybe the odd CQB shoot.

I've used a HBAR 20" and find it just a little too long for if you're doing in close stuff. Mind you a 20" pencil barrel my brother just put together is feeling pretty good in the speed department.

But to mildly answer your question I'm going to have to say the 16" will probably work good, but I will be more sure once my Rifle comes in.

I do plan on building one of those super short 7" ar uppers just for crazy fun and powder burns.
 
A 16" midlength is just about the perfect all purpose barrel. Shorter for the close stuff, but long enough to use out to 500m.
 
What ammo will you be shooting?
Shooting crap out of a 18" long barrel is no better than shooting quality ammo out of a shorter 14.5"
If you are not getting the FPS from the round you won't hit squat at 600m

Ok, that is a bit of an exaggeration. But FPS is Long Range Accuracy.

I would go with 14.5" if you are going 500m or less. Over 500m take the 16".
 
If you are buying a carbine for long range stuff, you are picking a hammer to cut a tree down.

Either a 14.5 or 16 will do the job.
 
I'm not sure how many opportunities you will have to fire a restricted firearm beyond 500m, or even 300m for that matter. 14.5 is handy for QCB and is still effective out to 500m, and is basically a good all around if you are thinking of a SHTF scenario.
 
In my case, its a restricted gun and not likely ever going to see a range longer than 200m. So I went with the 7.5" maximum cool :). I am no sniper but I have no problems hitting a gong at 200m with the iron sights.
P7020001.jpg
 
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I suggest going for the 2 uppers. A 1/7 or 1/8 20" gov't profile upper for service rifle matches (I've always disliked the front heavy feel of my HBAR vs. a C7). This will allow you to use heavy, high BC match bullets at reasonable velocities. It will be usable, but not ideal for high-speed short-range shooting with 55 or 62gr blaster ammo. A really short barrel makes corners and transitions much easier and can be accurate enough out to 200m
 
MirageSwirl said:
I suggest going for the 2 uppers. A 1/7 or 1/8 20" gov't profile upper for service rifle matches (I've always disliked the front heavy feel of my HBAR vs. a C7). This will allow you to use heavy, high BC match bullets at reasonable velocities. It will be usable, but not ideal for high-speed short-range shooting with 55 or 62gr blaster ammo. A really short barrel makes corners and transitions much easier and can be accurate enough out to 200m
Click to expand...


This is kind of what I was thinking too.

I've only shot one SR match and I'd love to do more but I don't want to be handicapped by using the wrong tool for the job. oth, the majority of the rest of my shooting will be under 100 meters so I'd like something ideal for that also.

I think what I need to do is go with another 16" carbine for now since it seems to be the happy medium and later I'll get a 20" and a shorty upper and have the best of all worlds :D
 
An excellent quality 16" will leave nothing to a similar quality 20" barrel at the 500m line.
Similarly, you can run and gun with it and you will be no slower than a 12" at 30m...
Get it in 1:7 and a mid length gas system and don't look back...
 
beltfed said:
An excellent quality 16" will leave nothing to a similar quality 20" barrel at the 500m line.
Similarly, you can run and gun with it and you will be no slower than a 12" at 30m...
Get it in 1:7 and a mid length gas system and don't look back...
Click to expand...


thanks, that's good advice

Now to decide, ATRS custom build or KAC SR15 :confused:
 
I've posted this before, it's a shot of 10 rounds on target shot off the mag from 500m with my then brand new SR-15.

Aug30-09-SR-15-500m.jpg


You are going to be hard pressed to piece together a build of this quality for the prices OST is bringing them in for.
 
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