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Help me decide between a 16" or 18" barrel.
4/23/2012 1:55:17 PM
Ok I need some help here
. I ´m going to buy a AR15 but I cant decide between a 16" or a 18" barrel.
The thing is that I am going to compete in Ipsc rifle ( http://www.ipsc.org/ ) so the distance of the targets
are going to vary between very close to about 350 meters ( 380 yards ). So the big question is: what is
the best choice between 16" or 18" barrel?
Will a 16" barrel be able to perform at that distance or is the only choice here to buy a AR with a 18" barrel?
And is the 18" AR with a rifle lengh gas system much better if you compare it with a 16" and a mid-length
gas system?
. I ´m going to buy a AR15 but I cant decide between a 16" or a 18" barrel.
The thing is that I am going to compete in Ipsc rifle ( http://www.ipsc.org/ ) so the distance of the targets
are going to vary between very close to about 350 meters ( 380 yards ). So the big question is: what is
the best choice between 16" or 18" barrel?
Will a 16" barrel be able to perform at that distance or is the only choice here to buy a AR with a 18" barrel?
And is the 18" AR with a rifle lengh gas system much better if you compare it with a 16" and a mid-length
gas system?
4/23/2012 3:30:30 PM
My 18" w/rifle gas is much smoother than my 16" carbine.
Sorry I don't have more to offer.
Sorry I don't have more to offer.
4/23/2012 3:46:53 PM
i get good results with larue 16" but wind is an issue at that range, even with heavier 77 gr.
4/24/2012 12:14:56 AM
The difference is a few dozen feet per second.
difference in handling is greater than performance difference.
Also, there is less tolerance for flaws in the barrel at 18in than at 16. Vibration and flex have more impact on the bullet, the longer it is in the barrel.
Unless you need an extra 50 fps at 600 yds, you will be better off with 16.
good luck.
BTW I had my Krieger done by CLE at exactly 17 inches.
difference in handling is greater than performance difference.
Also, there is less tolerance for flaws in the barrel at 18in than at 16. Vibration and flex have more impact on the bullet, the longer it is in the barrel.
Unless you need an extra 50 fps at 600 yds, you will be better off with 16.
good luck.
BTW I had my Krieger done by CLE at exactly 17 inches.
4/24/2012 12:36:54 AM
< edit >
4/24/2012 11:51:11 AM
I like my mid-length gas system rifle (over a carbine), but it is still more harsh than a rifle length gas system. Not that it will matter on an optics equipted weapon but I like the longer sigth radius of the rifle length. For a three gun rifle I would go 18" rifle gas.
4/24/2012 5:14:02 PM
Difference is around 100 fps. I personally prefer rifle length guns over carbines so I would opt for the 18". However, for what you're looking to the 16" would be a tad handier.
4/25/2012 7:28:52 AM
18 inch with rifle gas system 
