What AR15 barrel length is the most relevant.

Selected a barrel length based on the question in the OP.

  • 10.5" - 11.5"

    Votes: 36 9.3%

  • 14.5"

    Votes: 123 31.8%

  • 16"

    Votes: 164 42.4%

  • 20"

    Votes: 64 16.5%
  • Total voters
    387
He is probably referring to Canada, and not the incident in Hollywood where the cops had to bust into a gun store and load up on AR-15s and 5.56... Since then they all have M16s in their trunks.
 
Longshot said:
For live targets the 16 seems to give the best of both velocity and mobility.For competition the 20 holds its own with the right shooter behind it.24'a ARE making a serious move at the national level.This year at NSCC two of the top three shooters were using 24s.Last year one of the guys shot a possible 150-27V out of 150-30v in the deliberate matches,shooting from 200-500m.That would be pretty close to impossible using a regular 20.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Longshot for bringing the news to Canadians :)
Gee, it was about time....

Almost 15 years ago, in a long range competition in Ft. Benning, Ga, I was
starring at somebody's AR-15
and I was thinking: hmmm..., that barrel seems longer than 20", smart move.

In 2004, at an int'l LE/Mil competition in Norrköping, Sweden
from about 20 AR-15 that were qualified for the gas-oped final,
only 2 had 22" barrels. The rest of them were 24".

Today, if you are very serious about long range target AR-15,
the 20" is a real WASTE of barrel. You need a LONGER barrel than that.
If you want to push heavy bullets through 1:7 twist
and shoot accurately, then 22" lenght is the minimum.
Between cognoscentis, 24" seems to be the norm.
The downside is that a "bull" barrel longer than 21"-22" will
induce A LOT of stress in a regular (forged) upper.


I even heard about a couple of 25.5/26 inchers.
I didn't see them, but I can imagine that
they are deeply stepped and/or have heavy fluting.

Sorry for the hi-jack.
 
The guys that are running these 24's and kicking butt use a bull barrel and them machine from the gas block forward to save on weight.They all seem to have muzzle breaks of some type also that helps get back on target quick during rapid fire matches.A few years ago there were a few guys trying to buy a win by using long heavy barrels.It didn't work.Nothing makes up for skill and practice.Now skilled guys are using these to great effect.I try my best to keep up with an issued C7. ;)
 
I was watching a 24" braked rifle being fired beside a C-7 in a rapid fire match. The difference in muzzle flip was dramatic. That has to be an advantage.
Balance is also an issue. A long heavy barrel doesn't improve handling.
Skill and practice are obviously key to success. Add in a superior rifle, and the combination is hard to beat.
A superior rifle in the hands of someone who hasn't worked at developing the necessary skills isn't going to make that shooter a winner. Its easy to buy equipment.
 
I personally see no reason for a barrel longer than 16" in a 5.56mm platform.

I'd issue soldiers with an 11.5" upper for CQB, and a 16" General Purpose upper.

I'd also issue a 16" 7.62mm gun at the Section/Squad level, and a 20" gun at the Pl level.


FYI USSOCOM tested several barre lengths with the SPR program.
Back when it was the Special Purpose Receiver Program (which became the Special Purpose Rifle, which became type classified as the Mk12 Mod0 and then replaced by the Mk12 Mod1) they tried barrel lengths from 16" to 24"
What they found was that for engagement distances to 800m the 18.625" barrel (or 18 5/8") was superior.

Additionally it was found that the longer barrels cause flex in the upper receiver, to the fact that the bolt is stressed and results in a vastly shortened lifespan.
 
I think 16 is you best bet...but for what...not CQB. Buy a both get a 16inch with optics and a 10.5 or 12.5 with a red dot or irons.
 
KevinB said:
I personally see no reason for a barrel longer than 16" in a 5.56mm platform.

I'd issue soldiers with an 11.5" upper for CQB, and a 16" General Purpose upper.

I'd also issue a 16" 7.62mm gun at the Section/Squad level, and a 20" gun at the Pl level.


FYI USSOCOM tested several barre lengths with the SPR program.
Back when it was the Special Purpose Receiver Program (which became the Special Purpose Rifle, which became type classified as the Mk12 Mod0 and then replaced by the Mk12 Mod1) they tried barrel lengths from 16" to 24"
What they found was that for engagement distances to 800m the 18.625" barrel (or 18 5/8") was superior.

Additionally it was found that the longer barrels cause flex in the upper receiver, to the fact that the bolt is stressed and results in a vastly shortened lifespan.
Click to expand...

I bet they just went with a length that would be non-restricted in Canada if we can ever derestrict the AR family. They're always thinking of us down at USSOCOM.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom