Ar15 16, 18, 20

[Rem.222]

I am in market for an AR15 of some sort, the most affordable ones have 16 inch barrels. I'm more inclined towards 18-22 inch barrel length. I haven't any desire for a heavy rifle over 8.5# scoped and loaded. I will use it primarily for hunting coyotes, p dogs and maybe even defense. Noise is one reason I shoot longer barrels in my bolt guns and because of noise will try a linear comp and direct noise forward. A suppressor would be nice but very spendy. My budget is $750 for rifle, I have a scope already. My real question does length really matter or am I over thinking again? Thanks

 

[dvdcrr]

The older bushmaster vmatch 20" fluted uppers were nice varmint rigs.

 

[Archangel14]

My real question does length really matter or am I over thinking again? Thanks

I've read several tests that pretty much prove that at a certain point length does not matter to accuracy. Here's one:

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...t-barrel-length-muzzle-velocity-and-accuracy/

If weight is a concern, I think you'll be fine with a 16 inch AR. You should consider some of PSA's "Freedom" offerings. You can get a complete rifle kit, sans the lower, for $399. You can get a quality lower for about $75. With transfer and DROS fees and taxes, you'll still be way under budget and have a great varmint gun.

 

[Jackal]

You really dont gain that much tangible performance with a longer barrel. If your worried about velocity, then your using lighter bullets anyway. I personally have a 14.5" for my defensive carbine and an 18" Larue for my long range setup.

 

[BSA1]

A shooting buddy went with 20" barrel for his build. He intends to use it only for deer hunting and loves the extra weight and balance.

I have pretty much decided to follow Jackals lead with a 14.5" M-4 style and the other with 18" barrel. Such are hard decisions with two lowers.

 

[zoom6zoom]

My favorite AR is a twenty inch heavy barrel. Any longer than that I don't think you gain much.

 

[Blade First]

You aren't overthinking it...just being rational.

Given your mixed-use parameters, I'd suggest a 16" bull barrel with 11° target crown in a 1:7 twist. The best choices within a reasonable budget are of 416R stainless steel.

Of all the uppers I've built, the very best for short-medium range use was a 16" bull that would consistently shoot under a 1/2" at 100 yards, and it wasn't ammo-sensitive at all...just a really stiff barrel with little whip and attendant excellent accuracy.

Be sure and let us know how your choice turns out. We're data junkies.

 

[joem1945]

I have a Colt Match Target with a 1/7 twist. Barrel is 20" I think. It needs 69 gr Nosler match bullets to be accurate.

 

[Reloadron]

Well if your goal includes decreasing the coyote population using a 223 you may want to place some thought into the bullets you want to use. While bullets like 55 grain soft points or hollow points fare in most barrel twist rates as you move to heavier bullets you may want to consider faster twist rate barrels. Meaning if you get into the 69 to 80 grain bullets you may want the 1:9 to 1:7 twist barrels. Just something else to consider.

Ron

 

[Jackal]

Best coyote poppers I've ever used are cheapo American Eagle 50gr HP's and cheap Federal black box 50gr poly tips.

 

[HammsBeer]

If you are looking for a target/bull barrel 20" with scope and bipod, then the gun will end up being closer to 9.5-10 lbs. A suppressor will add even more way out front.

My lightest is a pencil barrel 16" at 6.5 lbs, and even the gov profile 20" with no optics is weighing in at 7.7 lbs.

There is about a 150-200 fps difference between 16" and 20" barrels. If you want to shoot heavier bullets in the 69-77 grain, look for 1-7 twist.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

Length gains you:

Muzzle velocity (up to a point). Benefits: less drop, less drift at distance, making wind and range estimation slightly less critical (slightly)

Sight radius (when using iron sights) This I think is the root of the "longer barrels are more accurate" belief. If you're using a scope, this obviously does not apply.

Some will also argue that a shorter barrel is stiffer, and may have an accuracy benefit because of that.

 

[JWH321]

I have a 16 and a 20 inch AR. Both are low end models, one I built, the other was a gift from a lady down the street whose husband died. The 16 is 1X8 twist. The 20 is 1X9 twist. I can't find one iota of difference between them. I get the same groupings at 100 yards with either (I get 2 foot groupings, not 2 inch ones, but that's not the gun's fault). I shoot 55grain FMJ and 62 grain greenies.

 

[Magnuumpwr]

Rem222 has yet to write anything new. What was he asking about, barrel length vs. accuracy or barrel length vs. noise reduction?

 

[gotigers]

Barrel length generally equates to velocity, not accuracy. Barrel quality is better for accuracy. I have competed with 10.5, 16, 18 and 20 inch rifles in 3 gun out to 500 yards. I have found that all quality barrels have similar accuracy.

Longer barrel's velocity will help accuracy as bullets are near or just below a particular loads transonic range. When a bullet might become unstable.

 

[Rem.222]

Sorry my internet went out. Noise level is a major issue when hunting coyotes I probably spot one and not have time to put in ear plugs. Is noise levels that different from 16-20 inch barrels or not? I'm 52 and most conversations are, can you repeat that please?

 

[bernie]

If someone is pushing 55 gr. bullets, would you be better off with a slower twist than a 1:7 twist? I have not shot a lot of .223 for several years, but I was thinking the slower twists worked better with the lighter bullets. Not to hijack the thread, but who would make a good stainless 18" barrel for this sort of work?

 

[Zerodefect]

18" barrels will generally be a heavier SPR cut, SS 410 or 416, and should be .223 Wylde, and rifle gas. Otherwise, there is no point in them. Great for heavier scoped rifles.
Barrel:
http://www.shop.masdefense.com/18-2...TED-STAINLESS-STEEL-BARREL-182W8STFBBL-SS.htm
If you need to stay under $750, then you should build it yourself.

You can also try this upper:
http://www.shop.masdefense.com/16-5...EEKINS-MCSRV2-KEYMOD-15-RAIL-165SKMV2ERBU.htm
I'd recommend the picking the 16" .223 Wylde SS straight fluted barrel.
You can also pick your linear comp, the Slim flash can, as an option.


BCM upper:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-SPR-Mk-12-Mod-Bravo4X-p/bcm-urg-mk12-4x-kmr15.htm
But way over budget.


Anything less, and you can just use a cheaper 16" or 20" chrome moly m4 or m16 barrel. 16" and 20" standard 5.56 barrels are everywhere. But when someone mentions .223 or 5.56 Coyote and Prarie dog shooting, I'd like to have the extra accuracy of the wylde chamber.

You can run a million configurations of 14.5 and 16" AR's. I prefer 20" KISS rifles if someone wants to go the KISS route, but I have no use for any other type of 20" AR.

You hunt Coyotes with your ears? I just put my earpro in before I get started. Then again, I cheat when my spotter has a PVS14:

A flash can or pig linear comp won't protect your ears at all. It'll be more comfortable for sure, but a wasted effort. Might truly be worthwhile to look into a .308 suppressor and .300blk or 6.8SPC calibers, even if it is more spendy.

 

[AJumbo]

I can recommend a 16" PSA Freedom upper on its own merits, but I haven't compared it to anything (it's my first AR.) Accuracy with 55gr. bulk ammo and a peep sight is 3" at 50 yards, with one golden 1 1/2" 7-shot group. 100 yard groups went about 5", but I smacked a standing ground squirrel at 110, so go figure.

If you get a PSA lower, get a Premium version with the improved trigger. PSA and Bravo Company both have uppers with just about any barrel length you want. I'm glad mine isn't shorter than 16"; I've fired a 12" shorty and muzzle blast was ugly.

 

[63]

I know Rem.222 and know he has used 223 for coyotes for years from T/C contenders to mini 14 to several different bolt actions. He's been wanting an AR for some time now as a pickup gun. I tell him just use your Axis and he told me if I going to be stuck with a bad trigger then I will get what I want. Lol

 

[marksman13]

Honestly, the type of shooting you are talking about, I don't see any rational reason to go longer than 16". I've got several 16" 5.56 ARs and all of them shoot under MOA out to 300 yards and most of them shoot well under MOA to that range. If you really just wanted to stretch the 5.56 as far as it would go, I'd recommend a 20" heavy barrel.

 

[Magnuumpwr]

I have a 7.5", 10.5", 16", 18", and 20" barreled AR15's. With standard muzzle devices, from 16 - 20, there is no discernable difference in perceived noise. Linear compensators are a horse of a different color of which I do not own, so have no experience to share.