Trigger Mike Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 would a 18 inch barrel make a difference over a 16 inch barrel if you scoped an AR as far as accuracy and distance accurate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiowa Kid, SASS #69870L Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 a little KK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trigger Mike Posted April 15, 2014 Author Share Posted April 15, 2014 I ask because to get a 18 inch barrel it is 200 more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 How far out are you shooting? I run my 16" bbl'd, ACOG equipped M-4 out past 600yds with no issues. LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SASS# 23321 Canelo Kid Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 If both lengths are same O.D. and quality barrels, the biggest plus would be around 100 fps velocity gain with the longer barrel, That may, or may not, translate to more accuracy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack, SASS #20451 Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Accuracy depends more on the chamber and barrel quality than barrel length. Also twist rate vs. bullet. A 16" will shoot accurately as far as most want to. I use my custom 16" out to 600 with 69gr match loads. After that I use my 20" with 77gr. IF I had a 7 twist instead of an 8 I would use 80gr in the 20" gun. As it is on a reasonable day it reaches out to 900. I have high end glass on both guns and they aren't "rack grade". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 I am no expert with the AR platform. I have a Colt AR-15 A3 6721 on order. I like the 1:9 twist as I will be shooting mostly 55gr and 62 gr projectiles that are shorter and should be perfect. I also like the HBAR type barrel. I have done much book time/ research and both talking to folks and such before I made this purchase. Can't wait to share a 'novice' review soon as far as barrel length? As far as as everything is equal....the 'a little' post above covers it. Why I even posted this I don't know I guess I'm just excited to get the AR platform in my hands. GG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trigger Mike Posted April 15, 2014 Author Share Posted April 15, 2014 Accuracy depends more on the chamber and barrel quality than barrel length. Also twist rate vs. bullet. A 16" will shoot accurately as far as most want to. I use my custom 16" out to 600 with 69gr match loads. After that I use my 20" with 77gr. IF I had a 7 twist instead of an 8 I would use 80gr in the 20" gun. As it is on a reasonable day it reaches out to 900. I have high end glass on both guns and they aren't "rack grade". this brings up something else, twist. if I get 1/8 twist, then Hornady 77 or Federal 62 will be good? If I use 1/9 then I need lighter grains? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 I am no expert with the AR platform. I have a Colt AR-15 A3 6721 on order. I like the 1:9 twist as I will be shooting mostly 55gr and 62 gr projectiles that are shorter and should be perfect. I also like the HBAR type barrel. I have done much book time/ research and both talking to folks and such before I made this purchase. Can't wait to share a 'novice' review soon as far as barrel length? As far as as everything is equal....the 'a little' post above covers it. Why I even posted this I don't know I guess I'm just excited to get the AR platform in my hands. GG :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 I am no expert with the AR platform. I have a Colt AR-15 A3 6721 on order. I like the 1:9 twist as I will be shooting mostly 55gr and 62 gr projectiles that are shorter and should be perfect. I also like the HBAR type barrel. I have done much book time/ research and both talking to folks and such before I made this purchase. Can't wait to share a 'novice' review soon as far as barrel length? As far as as everything is equal....the 'a little' post above covers it. Why I even posted this I don't know I guess I'm just excited to get the AR platform in my hands. GG Welcome to the 'Barbie-Doll' world of AR-rifles ..........Just dress'em like you want LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack, SASS #20451 Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Trigger Mike: I think you may have your brands mixed up: Bullet maker: Style: Weight: Twist needed: Hornady: BTHP 75 8 Hornady: A Max 75 7 Sierra: Match King 77 8 Berger: VLD 75 7 Berger: BTHP 77 8 Both the Berger VLD and the Amax are LONG and need the faster twist to stabilize. All bullets I know of that weight LESS than 75 grains will stabilize in a 8 twist 223 barrel. With a 9 twist you need to start over. It will stabilize the Hornady 75gr BTHP. It will NOT stabilize the Sierra 77gr. Match King. It will NOT stabilize the 77gr Berger BTHP. With a 9 twist you need to stay with 68 grains or less. It will stablize the 68 grain Sierra Match King but NOT the 69 grain Lapua scenar. It is VERY rare to have a problem with "over spinning" a bullet. So even a 52 grain in a 7 twist barrel works fine. I hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trigger Mike Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 yep my Hornady is 75gr BTHP "Match" but the federal is 62 gr. and I have a few surplus 55 gr. Based on what you sent me, 8 twist should be fine, right? strange how I never cared about twist when I was serving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Fingers Slim Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 I have a heavy barrel 1-8 twist 16 in. barrel and it shoots out to 900 yd. with what ever I feed it....also I use a top end scope made for the AR. However I mostly shoot 55 and 62 gr. military issue ammo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 I can't even see my house at 900 yards, much less hit it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badlands Bob #61228 Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 If they are 900 yards, I'm going to call in artillery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocWard Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 I can't even see my house at 900 yards, much less hit it. If they are 900 yards, I'm going to call in artillery. Yes, on both counts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Fingers Slim Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 900 yds is not that far when you shoot it a lot, the local range has out to a 1000, and the range at Blue Steel Ranch in San Jon NM. has marked targets from 100yds to one mile. Your right about seeing targets or even shooting out to 900 yds + is a difficult thing to do but it can be done even with a 5.56 round from a shorter barrel than usual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack, SASS #20451 Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Trigger Mike, I have been away from the computer until now. 8 twist will be just fine. I gave you data to allow for low elevation and low temperature. You can't always be shooting at 8000ft. and 90 degrees. Correct Density Altitude and high muzzle velocity can allow for marginally stabilized bullets to perform OK under the right conditions, but why take the chance?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Slim Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 One difference I noticed just recently between my boy's 16" carbine and my 20" HBAR is muzzle flash. I thought mine had a bunch until he touched off a 30 round mag. This was in twilight. Man, what a fireball! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 One difference I noticed just recently between my boy's 16" carbine and my 20" HBAR is muzzle flash. I thought mine had a bunch until he touched off a 30 round mag. This was in twilight. Man, what a fireball! There is fun in flame GG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Slim Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Yes Sir!!! But I couldn't see the tracer show! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strawboss, SASS #28759 Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 Like happy jack says, I have a 20" barrel, 1/9 twist. I use the 62gr. out to 300 yds, then the Hornady 75gr out to 600yds. Works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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