AR-15 Barrel Lengths

azhunter03

azhunter03

New member
I am putting together my first AR and am going to be using it strictly for coyotes. Wanted some feed back on what size other coyote hunters prefer. I was thinking maybe 20”? Thought about maybe 16" but am afraid I might lose accuracy past 200 yards? For those of you shooting an AR let me know what you have found successful and still remains accurate. Thanks.
 
you will not see the difference with a 20 inch and a 16 inch bull out to 300 yards in my opinion. For the easy of carry and weight go with the 16 bull barrel and have it fluted rp
 
Typicaly, your shots on coyotes should be under 250-300yds. (if the callin is good) Most shots in AZ terrain can vary but should run about 100yds on average. These ranges are fully capable of a 16" AR running 45-55gr rnds.

Personally, I think the cartridge limits you more that the barrel length.
 
I own both a 20" and a 16" rifle. I wouldn't spit for the difference in accuracy as far as barrel length is concerned. The 16" gun is noticibly lighter than the 20. And the 16" rifle is a lot LOUDER than the 20", too. If you don't hunt with some type of hearing protection, I'd highly recommend a 20" barrel. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
My 16 inch AR will shoot one inch groups at 100 yards so long as I use quality ammo. I don't worry at all about its accuracy loss compared to a rifle length AR.
I don't notice that it's really any louder than my .22-250 or my .243 bolt guns. When I've shot it at coyotes under hunting conditions I don't even notice that it's loud. I did notice it was a bit loud when I forgot to put my hearing protection back on while shooting it at the range once.

Coyote 6974
 
I couldn't imagine any of my bolt rifles with a 16" barrel. My uppers are 20 and 24". But the stubby 16" is perfect, if you're doing house to house combat. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif And bull barrels? Those are bench guns. Way too heavy for a carry gun. Get them fluted to make them lighter? Why spend the money? Just get the lighter barrel to begin with. I'm no expert, but that's the logic I go by.
 
Just to clarify, my bolt guns have 22 and 24 inch barrels on them. I was just trying to say that I've not noticed my 16 inch AR being any louder than the bolt guns are, no matter the barrel length. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif

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Coyote 6974
 
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And bull barrels? Those are bench guns. Way too heavy for a carry gun. Get them fluted to make them lighter? Why spend the money? Just get the lighter barrel to begin with.


I personally like a little heavier gun. I don't mind the weight.
 
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I personally like a little heavier gun. I don't mind the weight.




You will when you get my age. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Gun, stool, Styx, hand calls, e-caller, decoy, water bottle, etc. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif An extra 4-5 pounds of gun barrel just isn't necessary for me. Then if I kill a coyote, or two, then I have to lug them back to the truck, too! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
 
bushmaster m4a3 with 14.5 inch regular barrel 6.22 lbs
bushmaster predator with 20 inch heavy barrel 8.0 lbs
that does not add up to 4-5 lbs
 
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I own both a 20" and a 16" rifle. I wouldn't spit for the difference in accuracy as far as barrel length is concerned. The 16" gun is noticibly lighter than the 20. And the 16" rifle is a lot LOUDER than the 20", too. If you don't hunt with some type of hearing protection, I'd highly recommend a 20" barrel. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif



I have a 20" barrel and see no issues with ease of swinging and getting on target. I have shot 2 16" AR's and they are significantly louder than hte 20" is.
 
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that does not add up to 4-5 lbs




Maybe I exaggerated a couple of lbs. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Put a loaded 20 rd. mag in that rifle and it starts to feel like 20 lbs. after the first hundred yards. At least it does to this caller. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
The only difference you will see (if you have a good barrel) is how much your ears get blowed off when you shoot it and about 50 fps loss per inch. Shorter the barrel, louder it is! Accuracy should not be effected that much.
 
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I personally like a little heavier gun. I don't mind the weight.




You will when you get my age. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Gun, stool, Styx, hand calls, e-caller, decoy, water bottle, etc. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif An extra 4-5 pounds of gun barrel just isn't necessary for me. Then if I kill a coyote, or two, then I have to lug them back to the truck, too! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif



I can atest to all this after my first year of predator hunting. I don't have a wheeler or the land I am allowed to drive on so walking is the only way for me. I have 16" bushmaster with a heavy barrel (slightly thicker than the M4 style) and that sucker at around 8-8.5 pounds including the scope and 20 round mag can get mighty heavy when walking all day.

As far as the barrel length and noise...I can't really tell and I have excellent hearing...what? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif My 30-30 marlin is much louder than my AR. Plus when I pull the trigger on the pred I'm so focused I don't even notice that shot.

Is the 16" barrel louder than a 20"+....??? Probably, but it's going to be a lot more quiet than a 30-30, 270 or 30-06 that you fire off when deer hunting. I don't get the noise complaints? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
Just a thought, the AR I have on order is a 20" not so much for the sake of my ears but for my partners. I hunt with a partner most of the time and I am sure the 16" wouldn't be much appreciated by those sitting next to me. Either way good luck with your decision.
 
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Just a thought, the AR I have on order is a 20" not so much for the sake of my ears but for my partners. I hunt with a partner most of the time and I am sure the 16" wouldn't be much appreciated by those sitting next to me.



That's it EXACTLY.

My hunting partner threatened to take my 16" rifle and stick it....well, you understand. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I didn't realize how loud it actually was because I was sitting behind it. When someone else fired it as I was sitting off to the side....WHOA! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I agree that they're no louder than a .243 or other rifles, but why punish yourself or your buddies when there are other (and sometimes better) options? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
I just find it hard to believe that anybody would ever shoot a firearm without hearing protection. With the knowledge we have today about hearing loss and the causes, why? Every single shot, even from a 22LR, causes permanent hearing loss. With electronic muffs you can hear your surroundings better with muffs than without.

Jack
 
I just find it hard to believe that anybody would ever shoot a firearm without hearing protection. With the knowledge we have today about hearing loss and the causes, why? Every single shot, even from a 22LR, causes permanent hearing loss. With electronic muffs you can hear your surroundings better with muffs than without.

Jack



I've spent so much on a AR and a Foxpro, I'm using an OLD Bushnell Banner until I can get the Leupold I want. And I'm gonna spend big bucks on electronic muffs??? I don't think so.
I'll take a few "hunting" shots w/o hearing protection. I don't think it's gonna cause too much further damage.
 
You can buy a set of tactical muffs for around or under $70.00 if you hit the sales, a set of hearing aids will run several thousand and will still not compare to your own hearing. Your money and your ears, but for the cost and the chance of not being able to hear what your grandkids are trying to tell you the muffs are under priced, and a few hunting shots have a way of creeping up on you.
 


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