SR barrel length

IIRC one of the matches was won with a 10" barrel. The shooter knew his rifle. I've used a 14.5" Norinco and didn't come in last.
 
I just got a 16.5" stainless barrel.

Im testing the waters with SR. If i fancy it I will go with something longer next build.
 
14.5 or 16 will do. 20" is not needed. At borden, you can go as short as 12.5, and I have shot a 49 at 500 yards some years ago. This is all within the published effective range of 12.5" carbine ( HK 36K has a published effective range of 450m)

I shot over 900 in 2 of the matches this year with a 16" and a 14.5" carbines, using non-match ammo. There are other people who have won with 16" carbines as well. People shot high score because they don't drop points at all during the close range matches and the movers. Shooting a 49 at 500 yards in only 1 serial using a 20" HBAR shooting match ammo doesn't mean much, if you drop shots at the close range matches and movers. Guys who are good at the run down will waste you for the rest of the match.

If you want to win, get good at the movers and the close range stuff, and stop worrying about that 10 shots at 500m. Sure 50. 5V with a match rifle is a bit of a bragging right, but I would rather take a 47.3V with a carbine and haul less weight during the run down.

If you want to win the NSCC, yes, you need a space gun against the open class crowd because there are millions of shots fired at 400m and 500m at the prone position. However, the NSCC only happens once a year with only about 10 civies showing up. You may as well come with a stock gun and have a run against the CF guys to see how you measure up against soldiers with stock guns.
 
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If you are building/buying a rifle for SR I would say go with a 20. If you already have something shorter, run what you got and get familiar with the event, the course of fire and your shooting skills. You can always upgrade your rifle later if you think you need/want to.
 
-snip-Shooting a 49 at 500 yards in only 1 serial using a 20" HBAR shooting match ammo doesn't mean much, if you drop shots at the close range matches and movers. Guys who are good at the run down will waste you for the rest of the match.

If you want to win, get good at the movers and the close range stuff, and stop worrying about that 10 shots at 500m. Sure 50. 5V with a match rifle is a bit of a bragging right, but I would rather take a 47.3V with a carbine and haul less weight during the run down. -snip-

This is encouraging for a rookie shooter like me, with a 200m limitation at my home range. If everything goes according to plan, I'll be shooting all Borden matches next year with a 16" HBAR. Heavier profile yes, but I feel like I can move it around and support in fine already, and I'm not even into my push-up regiment yet! ;)

Wish I could practice movers, I found them really really hard.
 
^Bud, last year I was using a 14.5" and Aimpoint H1 and was placing hits upto past 300 m.

This was at the 2 day clinic. I couldnt do the second day.

Now I have variable scopes, so ill be there beside you.
 
Bring what you got! Anything from 16-20" is optimum. With that said, personally I feel that practice, good ammo and good optic probably will get you more points than a longer barrel so if all you have is a 14" why not get some decent ammo and give it a go. Last year I shot a 22" barrel and it was way too unwieldy so when I got home I cut it to 19". Shoots just as accurate if not better. ;)
 
I see no reason to go longer than 20" for SR and if I could only own one AR it would be a 16" (or a 15.7").

I would rather run a 14.5" with match ammo than anything longer with 55gr junk.
 
With all that said I think if you are looking to shoot a lot of Vs and be at the top, anything shorter than 16" is going to make it harder for you. Yes you can shoot a 49 at 500m with a 12.5" or whatever, but can you do it time after time with consistency? Probably not. 16" and up will help out for sure. 49s don't generally win deliberate matches at 500m either. ;)
 
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