Barrel Lenght for Predator Hunting with AR in 5.56

GooseGrease

GooseGrease

New member
What are your recommendations for an AR barrel length used for coyote hunting? Here are my perticulars:
1) Hunting terrain will be primarily open with some woods on occasion.
2) Chambered for 5.56.
3) Bullet gr. Will be on the heavier side and dependent on what it likes to eat.
4) Sight wil be Pulsar 550, just a tad over 4x.
5) Already own savage model 12 in 22-250 with 6x20 50mm rig for reaching out and touching 'em.

This is my first AR and from what I'm gathering won't be the last. I am just trying to minimize mistakes and cost on the first go round. If there is anything I've left out that will help with your advice please let me know Thanks for your help in advance.
 
I like the quick handling of a 16" lighter weight AR for hunting with a low power variable scope.
I realize that using a shorter barrel I am giving up a lot in ballistic terms but the trade off for me is that I can carry it better on the long hauls to some stands and the majority of my shots are less then 200yds.
 
I like em on the shorter side for the walking gun ( 16 in.) but I only learned this after starting at 24" and moving to 20", thought real hard about the 18"...but passed to the 16 and for hitting back country, short and light wins.

oh...forgot about the couple of 22"ers in the stable also.
 
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18" 1x9 twist for me. Shooting 55 grainers. The 16" I had before was too loud. IMO the 18" without compensator or flash hider is perfect.
 
Or you can do like me and start with a 16" then build a 24" upper, then decide to put a dedicated lower the 24", then build a 20" one for your wife.

Now I have a couple others I am thinking of starting, cant decide though, daughter wants one built for her, but I want to build a 308.

I have been realy pleased with the 1:8 twist, loves anything from 55gr to 70gr. My 1:9 does well with 50gr to about 60gr, but I have not built loads for it, it just gets what the others like and burns through the loads they dont.
 
I started with the 16" on my first Colt. I mounted a 4x12 scope on it and really liked carrying it due to it being so lightweight between stands. I then ran across a Colt HBar Elite and switched out the scope and use that. The longer barrel is heavier but the rifle is real balanced so I cannot feel much difference when carrying. I put a Eotech on the carbine now and use it when I am hunting heavier cover..i.e. sagebrush,timber. Both do a great job on the coyotes.
 
If there is 10 possibly ways to build it you will get 10 answers on which setup is the best.

I just went out to all the gun shops and asked all the guys at the range if I could handle theirs to see what setups I liked the best. For me I like 20"-24". Point is go out and handle some different rifles and see what length you like better
 
My first AR is a 16", my second is an 18". I wish my second one was 16". I can't tell a noise difference between the two and the 16" swings and points faster.

Chupa
 
I say 14.5" + pinned flash hider or 16"

I have had a 20" and a 16" and the 16" is better for me. I will eventually get a 14.5" with a pinned hider to only 16" or go SBR route for 12.5"
 
Ive had really good luck with a RRA M4 7 Twist barrel on one of my ARs, it shoots 75gr PPU OTMs pretty good, 77GR NCC really good (in the .4s" at 100), and 40GR Vmax at .5-.6".
I use the 40gr for varmint hunting and also the 75gr for Hogs/Deer out to 400yds. never shot the 40gr past 150yds but they do work at that distance
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I couldnt ask for more especially out of a good budget priced barrel ($140), and never had a 7 twist shoot good groups with 40Gr vmax till now. Very very happy with it.
 
18" is just right for my area. a 20" or 22" would be getting hung up in the brush too often, both carrying and swinging on a Coyote. I'm not a real big person, and it's just a bit more then a 16" has to offer.
 
Originally Posted By: frankrI say 14.5" + pinned flash hider or 16"

I have had a 20" and a 16" and the 16" is better for me. I will eventually get a 14.5" with a pinned hider to only 16" or go SBR route for 12.5"

Why would you do that? All your doing is hurting your self by chopping off 1.5" of rifled barrel (velocity) for a flash hider to gain nothing??
 
Goose....

I just sold my 20" RRA PPR and ordered a mid length RRA upper with a 16" 8 twist bead blasted stainless barrel. I plan to use it with my N550 scope and I also bought a Burris MTAC 1.5-6x40 (illuminated reticle) for short range day or night hunting with lights. My 6.8 SPC has a 16" barrel and I really like it.

Basically what I put together is an RRA ATH with a 16" barrel and a smith vortex flash hider. If you will notice the RRA Fred Eichler edition and the LAR-15 Hunter models with the Ehide finishes come with 16" barrels.

I ordered it a month ago so I figure I will be waiting for awhile yet.

 
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Originally Posted By: dmpowderOriginally Posted By: frankrI say 14.5" + pinned flash hider or 16"

I have had a 20" and a 16" and the 16" is better for me. I will eventually get a 14.5" with a pinned hider to only 16" or go SBR route for 12.5"

Why would you do that? All your doing is hurting your self by chopping off 1.5" of rifled barrel (velocity) for a flash hider to gain nothing??

I doubt I would notice the difference in velocity from 14.5"-16" and I have a YHM Phantom .308 can for the flash
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Like I said I will eventually get a 12.5" just to help with the balance
 
I'd say if I was only gonna have one a SPR profile 20" without a comp/brake would be the best choice. I have two 16's and they are loud the 18" I had wasn't much different. A 20" gives you enough barrel to burn a full charge and is still 3"-4" shorter then most standard 22" length bolt guns.
 
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