AR-15 barrel length recommendations

Hawk · 04-09-2006, 09:50 PM

I promise to quit beating this AR-15 horse to death, but I'd appreciate recommendations on barrel length; 16" or 20"?

Thanks in advance.

baltz526 · 04-10-2006, 05:07 AM

20" 1-8" twist for shooting long match grade bullets, or 16" 1-12" twist for shooting 55gr blaster ammo

Ryan Pultz · 04-10-2006, 05:34 AM

Please do not stop beating the AR-15 horse I have really been enjoying reading all the post about it. I have been looking (drewling) over the Bushmaster Varmiter. It comes with a 24" barrel. Rock river arms Varmiter has a 20" barrel. I think I am leaning toward the 20" barrel from rock river arms. but it will be a while of saving up my bonus checks. rp

traks44 · 04-10-2006, 05:59 AM

Like stated before, my Bushmaster V-match has a 24 inch barrel and the gun as a whole is still in a small package IMO. I am also biased because I am all about the distance thing, so I tell myself in my head I need the lnger barrel :smile:

goforchrome · 04-10-2006, 07:05 AM

I would by a 20" HBAR. Hold one in your hands and see how it balances for you.
As I've mentioned, my 18" bull barrel is nose heavy....but it shoots so sweet off the bench or bipod.

Hawk · 04-10-2006, 08:02 AM

I'm confused about the difference between the "HBAR" (also known as "H-BAR") and a bull barrel.

Also, in general, what are the barrel options (besides coated versus stainless steel). Does fluting make that big of a difference in improved cooling and reducing weight?

How is the HBAR ("heavy") barrel different from a bull barrel?

Rank Amateur · 04-11-2006, 09:34 AM

Keep up the questions Hawk, I'm thinking about a AR-15 too and don't know jack about them!

Hunt'nFish · 04-11-2006, 10:15 AM

Really depends on your intended use.
I'm suspecting varmints are the quarry?
If so, then a 20" heavy barrel of .750" to .920" and 1per9" twist an full floated tube to be just about right.
If your looking for a pure varmint rig and don't see yourself shooting anything over 55gr, then a 1per12" twist would be my choice. (my 24" 1per12" shoots 40gr handloads into a ragged hole. But it's not ment to be a 500yd highpower rifle.)
my

Hunt'nFish

Beeatease · 04-11-2006, 04:08 PM

What's nice about an AR is that you can have unlimited uppers for that one lower.......

You also don't need an FFL to get an upper.

Go with your first choice and then down the road get another upper. Assuming that's something you hadn't considered.

I did that with mine, started out with a 24" bull barrel and then got a 16". I may get a 20" this year.

Hawk · 04-11-2006, 07:14 PM

What do you guys recommend for a flash hider or muzzle brake? Does it make that much difference?

dubl_t · 04-11-2006, 11:28 PM

go with a "suppressor" Ha!jest joking, I don't know what the he11 I'm talking about.

Hawk · 04-11-2006, 11:36 PM

Quote:

go with a "suppressor" Ha!jest joking, I don't know what the he11 I'm talking about.

Thanks for sharing dubl_t!

So, honestly, what kind of a suppressor, flash hider, or muzzle brake should I be looking for?

adobe wall · 04-12-2006, 04:22 PM

I'd go with a 1-8" twist. It'll shoot light bullets and heavies very well. If you're not into reloading the 75 Hornady or 77 Sierra's are both commercially loaded and do fine. I shoot less wind on the gun with the 75s out to 300 yards compared to the guys with 77s... Marines still compete with magazine length ammo (Sierra 77's) at 600 yards. That same 1-8 will shoot 55s very well albeit they sure get blown around a lot.

1-12 twist is fine for light bullets but won't stabilize the heavy ones so you're going to have more options with the eight twist. The only time you'll get headaches out of the fast twist barrel is if you are really driving a light bullet fast- in excess of 238,000 rpm or thereabouts and they'll start to disintegrate.

I don't have flash supressors on my rifles but they are darned nice for protecting the crown and don't affect accuracy unless they're cracked or improperly installed.

As noted, ARs are very adaptable and you can always get a couple uppers for the same lower. Or two rifles. Or three.

jmho, aw

scottishsetter · 04-12-2006, 04:26 PM

Smith Enterprises' Vortex(Mine is plain;pre-political action)

bassbum · 04-12-2006, 09:52 PM

the 18 inch varmint from ROCK RIVER ARMS is the cats meow.i cant brag enough its a bad [petunias!]. 1/4 inch 5 shots, 1/2 inch 10 shots, thats out of the box, add scope and BANG BANG!!!

FeatherBusterOSU · 04-12-2006, 10:04 PM

I have an Olympic Arms Service match rifle that I use for varmints. It has an A2 20" upper and I LOVE IT! :grin: I think that the 1 in 9" twist is a good all around barrel. It'll put 50 gr. V-max bullets in a 1" circle at 100 yards all day long. Its also fun for blastin tons of ammo out at the range. Olympic arms are very good quality rifles at a slightly more affordable price. Love em!

-Jimmy

Bob Barthlow · 04-17-2006, 07:59 PM

Quote:

I have an Olympic Arms Service match rifle that I use for varmints. It has an A2 20" upper and I LOVE IT! :grin: I think that the 1 in 9" twist is a good all around barrel. It'll put 50 gr. V-max bullets in a 1" circle at 100 yards all day long. Its also fun for blastin tons of ammo out at the range. Olympic arms are very good quality rifles at a slightly more affordable price. Love em!

-Jimmy

I own 3 OLYMPIC ARMS AR-15's and can't be more happy with them!
I realy got into Coyote hunting this last winter, bagged 23 in 5 weeks with my OLY K8, A3, 20" SS Bull Barrel...

My dad liked my Olys so much...(pictured here with my OLY K3B-A2 M4)....

that he went and bought is own OLY K3B-A3 M4....

OLY AR's are very accurate, and my dad being a very good shot, was able to shoot a 2" 5 shot group @ 200 yards, with a cheapo Tasco 3x9x40 scope on this first try....pretty dam good for a 16" M4!