Accuracy from 16" barrel?
- Thread starter bbell
- Start date
OldTurtle
Moderator - Deceased
Out to 200yds, you shouldn't have any problems. After that it will start to depend on optics and specific load/twist rate.
I have a 16" bull barrel (1/9 twist) DPMS that is exceptionally accurate.. The most accurate are a couple of 20-22" custom barrels. The rest of mine are ammo specific as to accuracy.
I have one that is a 14.5" standard barrel (1/7 twist) and it's pretty load specific past 100yds for great accuracy.
I have a 16" bull barrel (1/9 twist) DPMS that is exceptionally accurate.. The most accurate are a couple of 20-22" custom barrels. The rest of mine are ammo specific as to accuracy.
I have one that is a 14.5" standard barrel (1/7 twist) and it's pretty load specific past 100yds for great accuracy.
Hidalgo
Well-known member
Like the two posts above, the one I had shot very well.
BUT BE WARNED:
I implore you to shoot a 16" barrel BEFORE you purchase one. They are LOUD. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
When I shot mine both my son and I laughed because you could feel the concussion through the concrete at the range. It would actually resonate through our sneaker soles. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
My hunting partner told me that if I didn't get rid of my "cannon" (as he called it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif) that he was going to take it and stick it......well......you get the picture. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
BUT BE WARNED:
I implore you to shoot a 16" barrel BEFORE you purchase one. They are LOUD. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
When I shot mine both my son and I laughed because you could feel the concussion through the concrete at the range. It would actually resonate through our sneaker soles. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
My hunting partner told me that if I didn't get rid of my "cannon" (as he called it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif) that he was going to take it and stick it......well......you get the picture. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Quote:
Like the two posts above, the one I had shot very well.
BUT BE WARNED:
I implore you to shoot a 16" barrel BEFORE you purchase one. They are LOUD. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
When I shot mine both my son and I laughed because you could feel the concussion through the concrete at the range. It would actually resonate through our sneaker soles. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
My hunting partner told me that if I didn't get rid of my "cannon" (as he called it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif) that he was going to take it and stick it......well......you get the picture. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I keep seeing this posted any time a 16" barrel is mentioned and for the life of me, I don't understand why it keeps coming up. My .243, .270, .308, etc... are all loud. These 16" ARs are no louder than they are. It is a rifle. Most rifles are loud.
If I want quiet loads, I shoot BlueDot or my subsonic .22s.
Like the two posts above, the one I had shot very well.
BUT BE WARNED:
I implore you to shoot a 16" barrel BEFORE you purchase one. They are LOUD. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
When I shot mine both my son and I laughed because you could feel the concussion through the concrete at the range. It would actually resonate through our sneaker soles. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
My hunting partner told me that if I didn't get rid of my "cannon" (as he called it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif) that he was going to take it and stick it......well......you get the picture. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I keep seeing this posted any time a 16" barrel is mentioned and for the life of me, I don't understand why it keeps coming up. My .243, .270, .308, etc... are all loud. These 16" ARs are no louder than they are. It is a rifle. Most rifles are loud.
If I want quiet loads, I shoot BlueDot or my subsonic .22s.
SodakJim
New member
If you can't tell the difference in muzzle blast between a 16 and a 24 inch barrel, you either have some real good hearing protection or it's too late to care about it. Accuracy is not dependant on barrel length, but more related to barrel quality. My next upper will be a 20 inch RRA preditor persuit.
If this is a walk-a-bout hunting rifle, you might consider fluting the bull barrel. You may not like the stock trigger on the OLY. Try to get hands on a few models before spending the money. The beauty of the AR platform is it's versatility, so you can get it like you want it.
Welcome to the board Brandon.
If this is a walk-a-bout hunting rifle, you might consider fluting the bull barrel. You may not like the stock trigger on the OLY. Try to get hands on a few models before spending the money. The beauty of the AR platform is it's versatility, so you can get it like you want it.
Welcome to the board Brandon.
Quote:
If you can't tell the difference in muzzle blast between a 16 and a 24 inch barrel, you either have some real good hearing protection or it's too late to care about it. Accuracy is not dependant on barrel length, but more related to barrel quality. My next upper will be a 20 inch RRA preditor persuit.
Not saying that I can't tell the difference between a 16" barrel and 24" barrel. Just can't tell the difference between a 16" .223 and a 22" rifle of a larger caliber. It's not like I'm shooting rapid fire or anything. One, maybe two shots is generally about it in the field. Three or four on a really great day.
At the range, yes I do use excellent hearing protection and my hearing is still very good.
I do agree that barrel accuracy is more related to the quality of the barrel than the length. Many tests have been performed on .223s and the FPS spread between 16" and 24" is, for the most part, negligible.
If you can't tell the difference in muzzle blast between a 16 and a 24 inch barrel, you either have some real good hearing protection or it's too late to care about it. Accuracy is not dependant on barrel length, but more related to barrel quality. My next upper will be a 20 inch RRA preditor persuit.
Not saying that I can't tell the difference between a 16" barrel and 24" barrel. Just can't tell the difference between a 16" .223 and a 22" rifle of a larger caliber. It's not like I'm shooting rapid fire or anything. One, maybe two shots is generally about it in the field. Three or four on a really great day.
At the range, yes I do use excellent hearing protection and my hearing is still very good.
I do agree that barrel accuracy is more related to the quality of the barrel than the length. Many tests have been performed on .223s and the FPS spread between 16" and 24" is, for the most part, negligible.
Yes, I do understand. I have a couple of 16s, a couple of 24s and a 25. Don't have a 20. My 16s ARE louder than my 24s with the same load. No doubt. Muzzle flash is also larger. What I have been saying is that they are no louder than most any other high power rifle cartridge.
The only time that I think it would be a big problem would be blasting through a mag or two. I don't do that with my ARs or my larger bores so it's not a concern for me.
The only time that I think it would be a big problem would be blasting through a mag or two. I don't do that with my ARs or my larger bores so it's not a concern for me.
AceHandler
New member
16" .223 is no louder than a 24" .243...
bluealtered
New member
Unless it's a .22, they are all loud under a canopy at the range. blue
HogSniper
New member
As to accuracy, it has nuttin to do with barrel length.
Don't know if decibel rating is higher from a 24" .243 vs a 16" .223, never cared to find out. The 16" barrel places your head, which contains your ears & brain, closer to the blast. The concussion, sound wave hits you with more force. Even more so when solid objects are nearby to reflect waves. Your brain notices that right away. That's why everyone thinks the AR carbine is louder & more invasive compared to regular longer barreled rifles. We all should wear some protection no matter what firearm we shoot. I must admit, that I've shot a few critters with my 16" M4gery, without protection. I never notice on 1 or 2 shots, but would not want to empty a mag without protection. The brain will start telling the rest of the body this aint pleasant after several quick fired rounds. With hearing & eye protection, the AR15 fired quickly is a hoot! I like to feel that blast wave then. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Many AR15/M16's have even shorter barrels. Like anything else, it would take some getting used to.
Don't know if decibel rating is higher from a 24" .243 vs a 16" .223, never cared to find out. The 16" barrel places your head, which contains your ears & brain, closer to the blast. The concussion, sound wave hits you with more force. Even more so when solid objects are nearby to reflect waves. Your brain notices that right away. That's why everyone thinks the AR carbine is louder & more invasive compared to regular longer barreled rifles. We all should wear some protection no matter what firearm we shoot. I must admit, that I've shot a few critters with my 16" M4gery, without protection. I never notice on 1 or 2 shots, but would not want to empty a mag without protection. The brain will start telling the rest of the body this aint pleasant after several quick fired rounds. With hearing & eye protection, the AR15 fired quickly is a hoot! I like to feel that blast wave then. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Many AR15/M16's have even shorter barrels. Like anything else, it would take some getting used to.
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Squeeze
New member
Accuracy wise, 16's could be just as "accurate" as longer
barrels. As was already stated, it is a barrel quality
issue. The issue for the short barrels in velocity
loss, which equates to bullet drop, and drift, differences
at longer ranges. Uses of fast powders may mitigate some
of that velocity loss, but that is the issue for 14.5"-16"
versus 20-26" inch barrels. As an example, I have a Savage
Striker(14" barreled bolt action pistol), and a Browning BAR
(20" carbine), both in 308 Win. I have done extensive load
development work, for these firearms, with Barnes 130 gr.
TSX bullets, with W-748 powder. Fortunately the same load
performs well(sub MOA) in both firearms, which is why I use
them in this example. I chrony this load, out of the
Striker, at 2800 fps(ave.), and a little over 3000 fps, out
of the BAR. Fast powder, and a larger bore diameter(larger
cylinder for expanding gases to develop pressure), allows
me to achieve respectable velocities in the short barrel
of the Striker, but the MV loss, is measured at +200 fps,
in 6 inches less of barrel. The smaller bore, dependent
on powder burn rate, could potentially have even more
velocity loss per inch, than this 308 Win example.
With all of this said, critters under 200 yards are not
going to know that the accurate bullet that just hit
them, was 200 fps slower than what might have hit them
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Squeeze
barrels. As was already stated, it is a barrel quality
issue. The issue for the short barrels in velocity
loss, which equates to bullet drop, and drift, differences
at longer ranges. Uses of fast powders may mitigate some
of that velocity loss, but that is the issue for 14.5"-16"
versus 20-26" inch barrels. As an example, I have a Savage
Striker(14" barreled bolt action pistol), and a Browning BAR
(20" carbine), both in 308 Win. I have done extensive load
development work, for these firearms, with Barnes 130 gr.
TSX bullets, with W-748 powder. Fortunately the same load
performs well(sub MOA) in both firearms, which is why I use
them in this example. I chrony this load, out of the
Striker, at 2800 fps(ave.), and a little over 3000 fps, out
of the BAR. Fast powder, and a larger bore diameter(larger
cylinder for expanding gases to develop pressure), allows
me to achieve respectable velocities in the short barrel
of the Striker, but the MV loss, is measured at +200 fps,
in 6 inches less of barrel. The smaller bore, dependent
on powder burn rate, could potentially have even more
velocity loss per inch, than this 308 Win example.
With all of this said, critters under 200 yards are not
going to know that the accurate bullet that just hit
them, was 200 fps slower than what might have hit them
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Squeeze
Hidalgo
Well-known member
Quote:
16" .223 is no louder than a 24" .243...
You might be right, and I can't argue that point one way or another.
But I'll say this: I shoot both a .270 and also a 25.06
They are both very tolerable. The 16" AR is "uncomfortable". That's the best term I can come up with. Why this is.....I don't know. But it has been confirmed by several of my friend's reactions when it goes BANG and they're close to it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
16" .223 is no louder than a 24" .243...
You might be right, and I can't argue that point one way or another.
But I'll say this: I shoot both a .270 and also a 25.06
They are both very tolerable. The 16" AR is "uncomfortable". That's the best term I can come up with. Why this is.....I don't know. But it has been confirmed by several of my friend's reactions when it goes BANG and they're close to it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
