opinions of .223 out of a 12" barrell

Fenix.NZ

Fenix.NZ

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Location
Hamiltron - City of the Future , New Zealand
hey guys.. im looking at an [INSERT NAME OF PROHIBITED IN CANADA RIFLE] with a 310mm ( 12" ) barrel in .223/5.56mm

curious for those with 12" AR's and/or shorty .223 CZ carbines, how they perform inside 200m ? will i notice the difference between the 12" and say a 16" ?

my options are the shorty at 12" or the standard version at 16" .. the shorty is just so damn ###y
 
Difference in swinging between targets, difference in group size, difference in terminal ballistics, difference in recoil impulse, difference in wear and tear, etc., etc.,....
They're probably all 'different'..if one cares to measure to the third decimal point...but not likely to a degree significant enough to worry about.
If terminal effects....energy transfer...penetration....effective fragmentation...are your 'prime driver', then 16" is the clear winner.
If speed of transition (admittedly minor), Look Cool Factor, etc., are your motivator then go with your inclination and go with the 12"...and never look back:D
 
You will probably get more answers if you can tell us what are you planning on using it for?

Regards.

Mark
 
I seem to keep my rounds inside the A zone of an IPSC target at 200m with a 12 inch barrel. For my kind of shooting that's accurate enough. No ide what you'll be using yours for though.
 
You will notice that the noise of your shots are downright abusive with a short barrel. That is the only real difference you will notice right away. If you are anything like me, your excitement at the mere sight of the gun will far outweigh this trivial matter. If the noise is really an issue, there are some products out there that are legal in Canada that redirect the noice forward, away from the shooter, like the Noveske KX3 or the Spex flash hider. Of course, I think you can legally go one step further than that in NZ!

In terms of muzzle velocity, its only a couple hundred FPS compared to a 20" barrel. Inside 200m that is not going to make a substantial difference on any suitable target for a .223.

I just put a build together with a 7.5" barrel and I LOVE IT!

I couldnt find the right gas tube for this barrel so I had to make my own. This complicated things somewhat, but having the gas port so close to the chamber brings pretty strong pressures into play to cycle the action. I also have used an FA bolt carrier for extra weight, a strong buffer spring and a heavy buffer. This seems to have done the trick because I have not noticed any difference in the fouling in this rifle compared to other ARs. Wear and tear is no different. Recoil is the same as ever. And the gun cycles perfectly. (And it doesnt throw the brass across the range) The best part is that I haven't had a stoppage with the gun yet. (knock on wood)

I think you will love it Fenix and I will be excited to see how your NZ perspective plays out in your build.

With subsonic ammo, barrel length is hardly an issue once your load development is done. Its not like you need much barrel at all to generate subsonic muzzle velocities, and if your get a gas block with a cut-off switch for firing with a suppressor, you don't even have to worry about having cycling issues. I have worked on AR-10s with this set-up and it is amazing. Basically, you flip a switch, change your mag and install the can and its a whole different gun.

The shortest .223 AR barrels I have seen have been 4.5 inches. With a 6" can, that would be 10.5 inches or so and would handily fit inside some free float tubes.... You could pack a whole lot of awesome into a small package out there!
 
Have shot 12.5 out to 500 yards in competition a few times, and if you don't hit the target it could be attributed to operator's problem.

However, I like 14.5" better for AR. 12.5 is really a European thing as HK seems to like making 12.5". 12.5 will make more sense on AR if sound suppressor is available.

The official published effective range for G36K is 400m, and HK does not lie.
 
this is good news.
My question is now really moot as the AK102 which i was looking at is going to be the same price as the NEA AR15 14.5" which is just landed in NZ for inspection and i have one of the first shipment already reserved :D
( as of 5 minutes ago )


but thanks everyone for the replies
 
I have an LMT 10.5" with Noveske KX3 which has been my 'go to gun' for Service Rifle CQB, multiple carbine courses, and have nothing but good things to say about it.
However, my recently aquired Noveske 14.5", with the 'intermediate' length gas system, is certainly a bit 'softer' shooter.
I don't really notice any significant difference in target transitions, groups (free hand, not off the bench) between the two lengths, so I think it's more of a 'what floats your boat' thing than anything else.
I also have an MRP, with 10.5", 14.5" and 16" barrels, which I would only likely use if I were going to take an AR 'over the border' with me.
I also have a 7.5" unit, with SPEX brake, that I bring out for people to try....
They are always suitably (un)impressed by the noise and blast, but it's a tiring gun to shoot off the bench, in an enclosed area.
For me, it's going to be between the 10.5" and the 14.5" Noveske, but I have used the 14'5" for the last couple of CQB matches and I think it's the one I'm going to stick with.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom