ar-15 barrel length's
- Thread starter newone203
- Start date
OldTurtle
Moderator - Deceased
I'm certainly not an expert on this subject, but I've had the 24" and swapped the upper for a 16" bull barrel and for normal shooting ranges (50-200 yds) I haven't noticed a significant difference.
If you are going to be shooting past the 200 yd range, you might notice some variation, but that seems to be more dependent on the rate of twist and bullet weight.
I also have a 14.5" barrel AR with a 1/7 twist and any long distance shooting requires a really heavy bullet and specific load for acceptable accuracy past 150 yds.
If you are going to be shooting past the 200 yd range, you might notice some variation, but that seems to be more dependent on the rate of twist and bullet weight.
I also have a 14.5" barrel AR with a 1/7 twist and any long distance shooting requires a really heavy bullet and specific load for acceptable accuracy past 150 yds.
NM Leon
New member
The difference in accuracy that will see in a .223 will be that the shorter barrel will generally be more accurate (stiffer).
A longer barrel will allow a higher velocity, and that can make a difference in a larger/heavier chambering, but there's not enough velocity difference with barrel length to make a difference in a .223.
In an AR you probably wouldn't notice an accuracy difference in any case.
A longer barrel will allow a higher velocity, and that can make a difference in a larger/heavier chambering, but there's not enough velocity difference with barrel length to make a difference in a .223.
In an AR you probably wouldn't notice an accuracy difference in any case.
Killforfood
New member
newone203,
Barrel length is not the best indicator of accuracy. nmleon is correct that a shorter barrel tends to be stiffer thus inherently more accurate but an accurate barrel usually comes down to the quality of the rifling.
As for velocity, there’s not much to be gained past 20” unless you’re shooting something chambered in one of the WSSM calibers and even then about 22” is all you need to realize maximum velocity. I tend to focus more on the intended use of the weapon.
For chasing jackrabbits thru the sage brush I tend more towards a light weight fast swinging 16” barrel that I can pack all day and not tire. I give up just a little velocity but most of my shots will be close.
When calling coyotes from a stand I don’t mind a little extra weight since I’ll be doing a lot of sitting and usually pack a heavy accurate 20” ultra match barrel. Shooting from a bench, who cares how heavy or long, it just has to be accurate.
Hope this helps.
Joel.
Barrel length is not the best indicator of accuracy. nmleon is correct that a shorter barrel tends to be stiffer thus inherently more accurate but an accurate barrel usually comes down to the quality of the rifling.
As for velocity, there’s not much to be gained past 20” unless you’re shooting something chambered in one of the WSSM calibers and even then about 22” is all you need to realize maximum velocity. I tend to focus more on the intended use of the weapon.
For chasing jackrabbits thru the sage brush I tend more towards a light weight fast swinging 16” barrel that I can pack all day and not tire. I give up just a little velocity but most of my shots will be close.
When calling coyotes from a stand I don’t mind a little extra weight since I’ll be doing a lot of sitting and usually pack a heavy accurate 20” ultra match barrel. Shooting from a bench, who cares how heavy or long, it just has to be accurate.
Hope this helps.
Joel.
bluealtered
New member
You can find out almost all you want to know about .223/barrel lenth at www.ammo-oracle.com ...blue