I'm looking for advice on buying/building a precision .223 AR. (Max 500yds. I've got other rifles for longer distances) It will have a heavy contour barrel, but I'm debating length. I know that some velocity can be gained by going longer, but I'd really like to stay more compact. Will a 16" heavy get me there?
- Thread starter MJY65
- Start date
A friend of mine uses an 18" SPR contour barrel and that got him out to 600 yds just fine and he could have gone further with it. I'd say that if you're set with a 16" that you could make it would but longer wouldn't hurt either.
G
Guest
Guest
My POF 14.5" .308 5R Rock Creek barrel has zero issues out to 600. I haven't tested further but have been told by other owners of the same rifle that 800 -1000 with 175gr FGMM was no problem.
I just purchased an SI Tier One 5.56 Recce upper with 16" WOA match barrel and Young Ni Bolt that when tested was making 600 yd shots with ease.
My opinion, an 18" barrel isn't necessary Out To 500 yds.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
I just purchased an SI Tier One 5.56 Recce upper with 16" WOA match barrel and Young Ni Bolt that when tested was making 600 yd shots with ease.
My opinion, an 18" barrel isn't necessary Out To 500 yds.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Last edited:
Depends on the bullet you want to shoot. The heavier you go the more barrel youre going to want. My 20" isn't bad over my 16s and 14.5, especially at the bench.
I like teh 18 but a good 16 will get you there with a bit of load development, not too much but a bit.
Id do min 18.... And if its 100% bench target or varmint prone hunting, then do 20"... If shooting 800yards or less, then anything over 20inch is a waste IMO for an AR platform.
The difference between an 18" and 16" shouldn't be more than 60fps.
I went with 18" and am very happy with it, but throwing moderate 77gr loads in a ballistics calc (say 2600fps with a 16" and 2660 with an 18") there really isn't a HUGE difference between the two at and inside of 500yd.
I went with 18" and am very happy with it, but throwing moderate 77gr loads in a ballistics calc (say 2600fps with a 16" and 2660 with an 18") there really isn't a HUGE difference between the two at and inside of 500yd.
The 16 will get to 500 easy. Load it with 77 smk with a good amount of TAC pushing it. I get 2700ish with 24.3 grains of TAC out of a Daniel Defense 16 inch.
At the risk of derailing my own thread, I'll ask another question:
Does a precision 223 AR make sense for a guy who already has a 308 AR (JP) and a TRG-22? One could make the argument for cheaper ammo, but it takes a lot of savings in ammo cost to offset the initial purchase and set up.
Does a precision 223 AR make sense for a guy who already has a 308 AR (JP) and a TRG-22? One could make the argument for cheaper ammo, but it takes a lot of savings in ammo cost to offset the initial purchase and set up.
Got an AR-15 lower? If yes, pull out $600 plus @ $12 S&H to your front door, just like pizza:
M-15 A4(T) RIFLE COMPLETE UPPER HALF, BLACK
The only reason you might "need" more than 16" is because most people are shooting 1/8 twist which can (depending on the barrel) be a little "ify" with the 77 SMK in that length at long range. All lighter bullets (69 smk) shoot fine in the 16" even to 500m and beyond. If you want to be able to shoot the 77 smk from the 16" without concern, just go to 1/7 twist. WOA offers a 1/7 twist and have a rep for great accuracy (Shilen blanks, I think).
A 77gr SMK at 2400fps (easily achievable from a 16" gas gun at very moderate 223 pressure loads) has a stability factor of 1.34 at 500' ASL, 59F, 0% RH.
Through a 1:9 barrel.
Through a 1:8 barrel the stability factor is 1.70; through a 1:7 barrel the stability factor is 2.22.
The very popular 6mm 105gr Hybrid @ 2900fps (6BR velocity) through a 1:8 barrel also has a 1.34 stability factor with the same environmentals. Nobody ever says they are "iffy".
Contrary to the internet, there's no need for a 1:7 barrel in order to shoot 77s from a 16" 223. A 1:8 is more than sufficient, and a 1:9 will stabilize them just fine for many people.
Heck, I've shot 75gr bullets from a 10.5," 1/8tw barrel and they stabilize just fine. In full disclosure, I haven't checked it for accuracy (I'm using an EOTech), but the holes in paper have always been round.
To the OP, I personally would use an 18" barrel. A little handier than a 20" with better external ballistics than a 16". Seems like a good compromise to me.
G
Guest
Guest
Here's a 3 shot group using Hornady 75 gr BTHP MATCH at 100 yds from the same TSD Tier 1 Recce upper I purchased. The Recce upper has the WOA 16" 1:7 barrel, Young BCG, Troy 13" rail, and BCM CH. Plenty accurate for my needs. This same upper makes easy head shots at 600 yds.
Last edited:
16" 1-7" or 1-8" match grade barrel
I could not get Barnes 70gr TSX's to stabilize from a 1-9". The bullet is all copper which=less dense than lead which=longer length of bullet which=4' key hole 10 shot groups at 100 yards which=:<(.
I could not get Barnes 70gr TSX's to stabilize from a 1-9". The bullet is all copper which=less dense than lead which=longer length of bullet which=4' key hole 10 shot groups at 100 yards which=:<(.
Last edited:
What do you consider precision?
14/16 and 18's will all get you there.
Obviously helps the more velocity you have so pick the longest barrel you can aka 16/18 or 20 that you can run around with if you want to run or if you plan on a bench/prone type SPR shooter get the 18/20. Im building a 18" LR308 for 100 to 1000 yard shots. Thought it would be a long gun but its actually not bad when walking around with it.
Obviously helps the more velocity you have so pick the longest barrel you can aka 16/18 or 20 that you can run around with if you want to run or if you plan on a bench/prone type SPR shooter get the 18/20. Im building a 18" LR308 for 100 to 1000 yard shots. Thought it would be a long gun but its actually not bad when walking around with it.
My first qualification ( a long time ago ) was 500 meters with a 16" carbine and open sights on a human size steel target.
A bit more length is welcome and 18" or 20" will provide the edge on speed but not really needed.
Some folks these days think 18" and 20" are too long and heavy.
They need to eat a bit more cereal and bacon for breakfast.
A bit more length is welcome and 18" or 20" will provide the edge on speed but not really needed.
Some folks these days think 18" and 20" are too long and heavy.
They need to eat a bit more cereal and bacon for breakfast.
Why can't you have a heavy barrel for positional shooting? It's like the hunter that's willing to haul out 100-200+lbs of meat but isn't willing to hike with a 10lb rifle. Heavier rifles IMO are better suited for positional and creates a more stable platform. Maybe people should spend less time exercising keyboards and more time actually exercising lol...
Similar threads
