Optimum bull barrel length for LR Prairie dog hunting.

[WyoWindCall]

Ok here is my million dollar question for the day. I am building another AR15 for Prairie dog hunting. I shoot from a bench or prone (weight of the rifle is not an issue). Most of my targets are from 300 yards to as far as 1100 yards. My question is what is my optimum length of Bull barrel, especially considering barrel whip. I plan on getting a 1:8 twist and shooting 68g HPBT out of it, also It will just have a target crown, I’m not planning on threading the barrel for a break or suppressor. I have been looking at the stag 24” uppers but wanted to know what you all think or if you have any better suggestions for my setup.

Thanks

 

[ORD]

Ok here is my million dollar question for the day. I am building another AR15 for Prairie dog hunting. I shoot from a bench or prone (weight of the rifle is not an issue). Most of my targets are from 300 yards to as far as 1100 yards. My question is what is my optimum length of Bull barrel, especially considering barrel whip. I plan on getting a 1:8 twist and shooting 68g HPBT out of it, also It will just have a target crown, I’m not planning on threading the barrel for a break or suppressor. I have been looking at the stag 24” uppers but wanted to know what you all think or if you have any better suggestions for my setup.

Thanks

What caliber? It makes a difference because if you are legitimately talking about taking 1100yd shots with an AR on PDs...it had better NOT be a 5.56/.223 using 68gr BTHPs because you are setting yourself up for a serious dose of disappointment! Hell...the 77gr SMKs don't do well at 1k, much less the 68gr.

 

[WyoWindCall]

I am talking about a 5.56, and I do that sort of shot all the time with my savage 26" flcp-k in .223 and it turns them into mist just the same at that range. Im just looking at a AR platform so I can have faster follow up shots.

 

[MarkCO]

Have you considered a Kreiger? I'd be really surprised if you will be happy with the accuracy of the Stag barrel, which is about a 1MOA barrel. The Kreigers I have built have all been 1/2 MOA minimum, usually around .3 MOA in a heavy set-up with the right components. You should be able to build a quality upper for about $1K. Yes, that is $400 more than the Stag, but you will be able to actually hit 3" targets out near 1000 yards. The Stag, you are probably looking at a very high miss rate past 300 yards.

 

[LRRPF52]

What optics are you using on prairie dogs at 1100yds? Are you using a high end LRF as well?

+1 for the Krieger, Lilja, or Bartlein. If you are truly shooting them at that distance, pay the price for a superb barrel that will hold 1/3 MOA or better at distance.

What speeds are you pushing the 68gr BTHP to for it to generate blood mist at 1100yds?

 

[LV 426]

1100 yards. 1198 fps. Energy 217 . Mils 9.2 . Trajectary -362.9 ....thats a 68gr. hpbt going 3400 m.v.

 

[BERTMAN77MK2]

get a 26" Krieger if it is just for prarie dogs----77 to 90 gr bullets work better for me at extended (over 500 M) so get the proper twist also

 

[WyoWindCall]

What optics are you using on prairie dogs at 1100yds? Are you using a high end LRF as well?

+1 for the Krieger, Lilja, or Bartlein. If you are truly shooting them at that distance, pay the price for a superb barrel that will hold 1/3 MOA or better at distance.

What speeds are you pushing the 68gr BTHP to for it to generate blood mist at 1100yds?

I am using a 8-32x56 nightforce NSX.

Also Price isn't a huge concern for me however I am thinking about having someone build the upper for me because I dont want to worry about headspace issues.

Also LV 426, Im getting about 2940 FPS MV out of my bolt gun which means at 1100 yards it is 14 mils, the velocity is 998 fps with about 150 ft.lbs of energy which by the way is MORE energy then CCI mini mag .22LR at the muzzle.

So back to the original question, what is the optimum barrel length concerning barrel whip and or accuracy degradation.

Thanks everyone for the replies so far.

 

[MarkCO]

The Krieger 26" are .920 at the muzzle. They work well. If you want to shoot the heavies, you will want their 1:7.7 twist.

 

[hlee]

I'd like to see a first round hit on a prairie dog with a 223 from 1100 yards. That is impressive shooting!

 

[MarkCO]

Not defending the OP, but I don't see he ever claimed first round hits. In fact I would infer from his wanting a AR platform with faster follow-up shots that he is not getting them before they get back underground.

OP, you do realize, even with a 26" Kreiger, 68s at 3400 fps is going to be well above max, even for 5.56 Nato pressures. You might get to 3100 or so.

 

[WyoWindCall]

Not defending the OP, but I don't see he ever claimed first round hits. In fact I would infer from his wanting a AR platform with faster follow-up shots that he is not getting them before they get back underground.

OP, you do realize, even with a 26" Kreiger, 68s at 3400 fps is going to be well above max, even for 5.56 Nato pressures. You might get to 3100 or so.

MarkCO, you would be right, I do not get 1st round hits on a tin can sized target at 1100 yards, however im getting very good if they are 600 yards and in. Also on post #8 I gave my load specs. I hunt them in Wyoming and I deal with constant 15 to 30 mph cross wind. What is a good source to get Kreiger barrels?

 

[MarkCO]

In stock at Midway: Krieger Barrel AR-15 223 Remington .920 Muzzle Diameter 1 7.7 Twist 26

 

[Layton]

Compass Lake Engineering for the Krieger and matching bolt with the CLE chamber. And it will be cheaper than Midway.

 

[RTH1800]

Make life easy, get a Baer 26" super Varmint. Nothing will shoot better.

 

[LV 426]

26" LBC 77smk 2920 m.v. 1040 fps at 1100 yds
Energy 185
Trajectory -526.4
Mils 13.3
Powder Tac.
Brass lapua

 

[JJones75]

I don't know how it'll run in a gas gun but I have a friend that shoots deer with a 223 , after seeing this thread I called and asked about his load because he shoots to 1000yds on targets all the time with this gun and its incredibly accurate.
He is running an 80g A-max over 29g of VV-550 in Lapua brass and getting 3000+fps out of a 24" 1-8twist 5R Bartlein. This is a bolt gun bit he says it shows zero pressure signs.

 

[Scotts556]

I don't know how it'll run in a gas gun but I have a friend that shoots deer with a 223 , after seeing this thread I called and asked about his load because he shoots to 1000yds on targets all the time with this gun and its incredibly accurate.
He is running an 80g A-max over 29g of VV-550 in Lapua brass and getting 3000+fps out of a 24" 1-8twist 5R Bartlein. This is a bolt gun bit he says it shows zero pressure signs.

80 gr AMAX at 3000+ with a .223? 29 grains is way over max.

 

[seanhagerty]

Go get a White Oak Armament complete upper. They will have everything already put together and they do well in the accuracy department.

 

[JJones75]

80 gr AMAX at 3000+ with a .223? 29 grains is way over max.

That's what the guy told me. I don't reload for 223 so I don't know much about load data for it. That velocity seems a bit high to me but...

 

[Cascade_Sherpa]

Will an 80 grain Amax fit inside a standard AR-15 mag? Or will you be single loading them at this point? That would be defeating the point of shooting an AR for quick follow up shots.

 

[Graham]

Optimum bull barrel length for LR Prairie dog hunting.

I am talking about a 5.56, and I do that sort of shot all the time with my savage 26" flcp-k in .223 and it turns them into mist just the same at that range. Im just looking at a AR platform so I can have faster follow up shots.

There you have it: Regularly turning prairie dogs to 'mist' at 1100 yards with 68gr .223.

And now wanting faster follow-up capability...

MarkCO, you would be right, I do not get 1st round hits on a tin can sized target at 1100 yards.... I hunt them in Wyoming and I deal with constant 15 to 30 mph cross wind.

Admittedly not getting first round hits on tin can sized targets at that distance, but then it is very windy and the wind is constant.

Hmmmm.... Perhaps it's time to admit defeat and step-up to the larger Dinty-Moore sized cans??

 

[Skg_Mre_Lght]

I am talking about a 5.56, and I do that sort of shot all the time with my savage 26" flcp-k in .223 and it turns them into mist just the same at that range. Im just looking at a AR platform so I can have faster follow up shots.

lulz

Turning them into mist at 1100 yards with a .223, huh?

Can ye smell it?

 

[nuclear_shooter]

Where did I put the popcorn popper?