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Posted: 8/15/2011 6:06:03 PM EDT
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Hello. I have a Rock River M4 with the 16in. barrel and I was wondering what kind of experiences you guys have had with this barrel length? The reason I'm asking, is I was watching a coyote hunting show and a guy had the same weapon I have, plus he had a big ass scope on it. He shot a coyote at what looked like a pretty far range. I have shot and hunted all my life and I'm aware that any weapon, with any barrel length can be accurate with practice but I would like to know the capabilities with this barrel and a scope. I was thinking of building another upper with a longer barrel but if I can do it with the one I have, then cool.
I would like to avoid the answers like, "just practice" or "If you shoot it enough with a scope, you'll find out" or "just get a bolt action if you want to shoot long range" you know, smart ass responses. I just want to know what you have done with this barrel length in the field, under hunting conditions. Thanks, Jeb |
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A shorter barrel doesn't always mean less accuracy, just lower muzzle velocity.
A longer 20" barrel equals: = slightly more flat shooting = slightly more punch at range = extended max range (900y-1000y versus ~800y with a 16") With a quality 16" barrel and the right ammo, you can get hits at long range just as easily as with a longer barrel. In some accuracy applications, a shorter barrel is actually preferred. You're dealing with more drop error due to lower velocities (which is really fine if you know your zeros, or can calculate them), and there's more wind than one would like, but there's obviously good reasons to own a 16" barrel, so you shoot what you've got. Try to avoid windy conditions, and well, velocity consistency is more a question of ammo selection than barrel length (or so I would think). |
| xm193 and m855 are not reliable at fragmentation. You didn't say what bullets you handload but i have heard great things about the TSX bullets and of course hornady 5.56 tap. (8126n). I dont believe the tap t2 bullet is for commercial sale but the T1c is and that would be the next best thing in my book. |
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I use a wide variety of bullets when I reload. I usually will load fmj for plinking and HP for chucks and coyotes. I was using my dads SP1 for the longest time so I was limited to 55gr. bullets. Now, that I have the 1:9 twist, the world has opened up. I am really fond of the moly coated ballistic tip or the real fine boat tail hollow points. I've seen a 75gr bullet but Im not into that, I'll just use my big guns to shoot big bullets. Im wanting to load around a 63 to 69gr bullets. If I can get 300 to 400 yds accurately, I'll be happy. Anything over that I'll use the 22-250.
Thanks for the input, helps a lot. I can spend the money on a scope rather than another upper in the same cal. Jeb |
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I have a 16 inch RRA. I handload. It hits steel at 600 yds. It is MOA, and better (sometimes) when I hold my mouth right. Sometimes I can only drive it to 2 MOA! LOL Hunting varmits with it to 400, very doable as far as the equipment is concerned.
ETA: I see that you handload, so you know the drill. Find what it likes, and shoot the hell out of it. An AR with handloads better get AT LEAST MOA until it runs out of steam. For hunting with it, check your ballistic calculators for ft lbs at given distances to decide what you want to shoot at with it. MOA is MOA, whether it's a bolt gun or an AR. |
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I just received a RRA standard Mid-Length A4 rifle but upgraded the barrel to a stainless .223 Wylde chamber with a chrome carrier/bolt.
Hopefully I will make it out to the range in the next couple weeks and will get a full length review done after that. My experience has been most "quality" AR with standard non-match barrels such as the RRA will do 1"-1.5" groups consistently at 100 yards with 12-14X power. Obviously the higher power the most precision you might be able to wring out of the rifle off the bench. |
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My Colt 14.5" SOCOM barrel has no problem hitting man size targets at 500 yards with me on irons. I'm sure if I mounted a scope on the rifle, and used handloads or blackhill's loads, I'd have no problem dropping a coyote, ground hog, etc. at up to 500 yards.
FWIW, the Rock River rifles I owned both had 16" barrels, one with a carbine gas setup and and one mid-length. both were heavy profiles under the hand guards, which seemed to really help them be accurate. Both seems to be tac drivers with irons at mech zero (with my skillz). I think you'll be fine with what you have. I mean, you did say the guy you watched on the show had the same rifle as you, but with a scope. If he can do, why can't you?? Good luck! |
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