You might want to be careful with the heavier match bullets, they aren't designed for hunting. The 64 grain Winchester and Federal bullets work well though.
-
If you are having trouble changng your password please click here for help.
AR15 Barrell Length
- Thread starter Ramon
- Start date
You might want to be careful with the heavier match bullets, they aren't designed for hunting. The 64 grain Winchester and Federal bullets work well though.
I bought a 1/9 back in the day because it was my predator gun. It shot the cheap 45 grain Wichester Bulk pack hps extremely well, and shoots everything 55 grain and under better than my 1/7's. They are pretty slick for lighter bullets.
I watched a video from tnoutdoors9 on youtube using a 62gr bullet made for deer and game of similar size. They ballistic gel test looked like it would take a deer no problem. Placement is key for sure with the .223/5.56
FTFY.
As others have said, the difference in barrel length won't do much for you in terms of accuracy or velocity. Where it does help with the AR platform is the type of gas system you can run. My preference for hunting/target ARs is an 18" barrel with a rifle gas system. It makes for a very smooth shooting gun, which is a requirement for consistency and consistency breeds accuracy. Also, put a good trigger in it. The crap that comes with standard LPKs won't get you very far in terms of consistent trigger pulls.
If you're going to use open sights, then a longer barrel means longer sight radius, and more precise shots. But I'm going to assume you intend to use optics.
Barrel length doesn't affect accuracy, all other things kept the same (diameter, twist, etc.). Longer barrels keep the "boom" further from your ears though. They also affect balance-- a long barrel and light stock is front-heavy.
Twist rate is important for shooting the heavier bullets.
The velocity difference is minor. With 77s, you keep the bullet supersonic another 100-150 yards with a 20" barrel over a 16" one. Which matters-- but only if you're trying to hit paper at 800+ yards. It matters not a whit for hunting. .223 is down to handgun performance after about 400 yards anyway.
Bottom line-- get a 16" barrel. Lighter, easier to maneuver, and you give up nothing significant. I'd focus on getting a good trigger-- that really does matter.
I've used several 16" PSA barrels. An ultralight that won't do better than 1.25 MOA (10 shots). A hand-lapped heavier profile that shoots .8 MOA, and an identical hand-lapped that only does about 1.1 MOA. I'm satisfied with their barrels, but the ones I've used are not target barrels.
Barrel length doesn't affect accuracy, all other things kept the same (diameter, twist, etc.). Longer barrels keep the "boom" further from your ears though. They also affect balance-- a long barrel and light stock is front-heavy.
Twist rate is important for shooting the heavier bullets.
The velocity difference is minor. With 77s, you keep the bullet supersonic another 100-150 yards with a 20" barrel over a 16" one. Which matters-- but only if you're trying to hit paper at 800+ yards. It matters not a whit for hunting. .223 is down to handgun performance after about 400 yards anyway.
Bottom line-- get a 16" barrel. Lighter, easier to maneuver, and you give up nothing significant. I'd focus on getting a good trigger-- that really does matter.
I've used several 16" PSA barrels. An ultralight that won't do better than 1.25 MOA (10 shots). A hand-lapped heavier profile that shoots .8 MOA, and an identical hand-lapped that only does about 1.1 MOA. I'm satisfied with their barrels, but the ones I've used are not target barrels.
Last edited:
16 inch 1/8 twist is my favorite. Not as easy to find as 1/7 twist. Melonite/nitride is nice to have as well.
