Stupid Noobie Question

[Derek Gocht]

Hello all, sorry for bothering you, however the sheer amount of information here is overwhelming and will take me forever to get through

I'm doing my first of many service Rifle courses in a month, and I'm wondering what everyone runs barrel length wise. Is a 10.5" a stupid idea? What's a smart length?

 

[Bolivar]

10.5 will be limiting for a full distance SR course of fire which is out to 500m...however you will learn more by shooting a sub-optimal rifle than by staying home.

What course are you taking?

 

[llcwalsh]

The advice I was always given was run what you brung. If you're anything like everyone else I've met, you'll change your setup anyways. Go out. Have fun. Learn. Repeat.

 

[call2arms]

I have used a 10.5 at 200 and 300 without issue.

 

[Ganderite]

That was not a stupid question.

If you have a 10.5, that is the best rifle to shoot.

If you have a 10.5 and a 18", the 18" would probably be better at longer range (less wind drift) assuming they are both the same twist barrels, shooting suitable bullets.

 

[DT741]

Used my DDMK18 as far as 400m. All bullet were located somewhat in the center of mass of a Figure 11 with none missing. You just need to learn your bullet drop and how to read the wind and it will work.

I later scoped the DDMK18 and shot 100, 200, 300, 400 and did the same with a 16" upper and there was barely any difference in group size at equal distance. I was shooting 62gr Hornady FMJ

 

[Derek Gocht]

Thanks guys, awesome info!

 

[themarauder]

I've used my 16" out to 1,000 yards. I've seen people at matches with 10.5" rifles having a blast. As stated above, it's not the best rig for the game, but come on out, have some fun and adjust your kit when you decide you like it enough to spend more money.

And if you DO get hits at the longer ranges, you can rub it in your fancy space gun wielding friend's faces.