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Posted: 4/24/2007 4:22:45 PM EDT
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Howdy I'm looking to buy my first AR. Ive pretty much decided on a 16" bushmaster A3. One option I'm still undecided on is the heavy or weight weight barrel. What are the pros and cons of each, Other than a light barrel will heat up faster. Thanks and great forum. Learned allot from looking around. Matt |
| I am probably mistaken, but i hear that heavy barrels are slightly more accurate than lightweight barrels. That being said, I have shot both, and have noticed no difference at the ranges i was shooting at (approx. 100 yds.). My AR is lightweight, and it shoots with the best of em! |
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I have a lighweight carbine and a HBAR midlength, both from Del-Ton. The HBAR has a very solid feel, but causes a lot of fatigue. Adding a FF rail with a VFG made it easier to handle for me. I like the lightweight better because I don't get as tired shooting it. For long term shooting against an army of zombies or whatever, I would go with the lightweight. Also, it is better if you had to lug it around for awhile. The lightweight is more fun for others to shoot too, if you take people to the range. It's better for kids too. I don't shoot for bullseyes, just for chest shots, so both are good. Both can hit inside an 8" circle without using a bench at 50 yards with no problems, even for my non-shooting friends. |
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Depends on your application. If you're looking for a good GP weapon, get the gov or lightweight barrel. They will heat up quicker, and POI may suffer because of it, but not enough to worry about. During rapid fire they'll definitely do so, but they'll cool down quicker too. For competition, or varmint, I'd recommend a heavier barrel-not because they are more accurate-although heavier can be more accurate due to stiffness- but because they heat up slower, and POI won't shift as rapidly, and the heavier barrel will be more stable during position shooting. I use my Colt HBAR for High Power Service Rifle competition, and add 2 pounds of lead in the stock to counter the weight of the heavy barrel. I find that in off hand especially, it steadies up very nicely, and once I find my natural point of aim, allows me to be more consistent because the sights aren't wandering all over hells half acre like a lightweight would be. One thing that I found is that the 16" heavy barrel balances very well for me, particularly on rapid shots such as would be taken in 3 gun. It steadies on the target more quickly, and is not as whippy as a 16" lightweight, at least in my experience. My recommendation is to define what exactly you want to do with the weapon, and then try and shoot some and get a comparison. If unable to do that, I highly suggest going to your local dealer and pawing as many different variations as you can, then make your decision. Good luck. |
You are sort of right. HBAR is not more accurate, nor is it less accurate. Each bbl. is only as accurate as its rifling, crowning, etc. I have an extremely accurate lightweight, for example. The heavy barrel, however, heats up more slowly, as it has more mass to absorb the heat. This will mean that there will be less change in the way the barrel shoots as it gets hot. So, all other things being equal, a heavy barrel will be more consistent through long strings of fire. |
CMMG makes a 16" lighweight middy, but it has a 1/12 twist. They have a 14.5" lw middy, with a 1/7 twist. They also have a 16" middy with Gov't profile. I think it's light under the handguards, and .750" out to the FH; pretty good since you get the extra length under the handguards compared to an M4. ETA: I remember a recent post that indicated a rumor that a 1/7 twist 16" lw middy was coming from CMMG. |
You could do nearly as well by going with a "government profile" middy. .gov profile means that it is "light under the handguards". You are much more likely to find this than a true lightweight. I have one from Sabre Defense, it rocks. |
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HBARs are definitely more consistent on point of impact after several rounds, even at a medium pace. OEM type rack grade barrels, after say 30 rounds in a minute: HBAR 3-4 inches LW 6 inches plus I am generalizing; Chrome lined, mil spec ammo. But I am speaking from direct personal experience. Up to you if it's worth it. I now go with medium contour for CL hard use ("Operator"), HBAR Noveske Standard contourfor stainless sub-moa. Two rifles, two purposes. |
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Wow. lots of good info. After reviewing all the post I'm leaning to the LW barrel model first then a longer 20" heavy barrel upper later. I shot a M16 in the Marine corp and it fit me well. The 16" light barrel seems like a good chose for an all around starter. Ive handled both Heavy and light barrels from Colt and was amazed at the difference. Just didn't know if there were any major draw back to the LW models. Thanks for your time and expertise Matt |
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