.300 BLK barrel lengths

[lonestar2222010]

I'm looking into building a .300 blk AR, I'm thinking about the barrel length to get. I want to go an SBR but I don't know if I want to go through all the NFA paper work and mumbo jumbo to just shoot an SBR when I can spend half the amount and get a 16" upper I can shoot right away.

So back to the original question if I got a 16" .300 blk barrel how much different would the ballistics be than a 10.5" barrel? would I get better velocity? would my accuracy be better? and if I wanted to put a supressor on it would a 16" barrel affect sound supression?

 

[SKILCZ]

Check out this table.

 

[redbullitt]

16 inch was much quieter than my 10 inch through same can with subs. Definitely notable. Load tweaking might make a difference, but I am not sure how much.

Ballistics and accuracy should not be an issue, especially with subs. Velocity on supers will be lower, but not by enough to outweigh how handy the 10 inch barrel is lol. To me that is the whole point of the 300 blk AR, so I like my 10 WAAY better even if it is louder and a bit slower on the supers.

Do a 14.xx barrel with pinned brake, hider, or suppressor mount? That means so sbr but short as possible legally.

Or buy a 16 inches to play with THEN make it SBR when the stamp clears?

 

[bangswitch]

Do a 14.xx barrel with pinned brake, hider, or suppressor mount? That means so sbr but short as possible legally.

Or buy a 16 inches to play with THEN make it SBR when the stamp clears?

I can't argue with the niceties of going SBR for compactness, especially since it doesn't significantly affect performance compared to carbine length.

But...... I'd vote for the 16" barrel over the 14 with a pinned and welded muzzle device. You have more options available to you by being able to just unscrew the MD in favor of something else like a brake or suppressor ready flash hider, or just straight to a can of some sort. Once you get to 14", the extra couple of inches is no matter for compactness.

 

[suzukisam]

If you look at blackout ballistics, you don't gain a lot going 16. If your loading yourself, you can tailor your load for your barrel. The biggest question you should figure out first is what are you shooting? Sub Sonics don't benefit from a long barrel. I'm going to be shooting super Sonics out if my current blackout build. Hunting with 110 Barnes. I like my 10.5 a lot. I'm building mine as a pistol to avoid the whole sbr thing. It'll be my "muzzleloader" for alternative season! Going the sig brace route.

 

[Ibmikey]

I built a couple of 300's with 16" barrels and an 8" pistol. The pistol is fun to shoot but without a true butt stock it is just a toy or possibly in home defense weapon. I shoot only supersonic and the Blackout has quickly become my favorite plinker throwing 145 grains instead of 55. I can load my Blackout as cheaply as .223 once reformed cases are in the inventory and either pulled military or inexpensive FMJ bullets are purchased. For hunting I have had great success on Texas hogs with an AAC Handi Rifle in 300 Blackout and a Nikon 3x AR 223 scope.

 

[bangswitch]

I can load my Blackout as cheaply as .223 once reformed cases are in the inventory

Very true. I don't form my own, but buy 1000 at a time from somebody like Everglades, who reforms it from LC 5.56 brass. I'm getting 5-6 reloadings from a case, which really cuts the cost per round.

Now, if I could only find a steady source of powder for supers.

 

[C-grunt]

I would just do the paperwork to get a SBR. Get a trust and submit a form one for a lower you already own and youll get the stamp in 30 days.

To me the 300 BLK finally gives the PDW concept some real ability. My buddies 8 inch Noveske is a fantastic little gun that has power and range.

The only reason I would buy a 300 BLK with a 16 inch barrel was if I was specifically buying it as a hunting rifle.