• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

18 or 20" ar15

bama110

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 3, 2007
260
4
Calera, Alabama
I have a varmit upper 24" and am thinking of cutting it down to be handier. should i go 18" or 20" . i am leaning 20 for some reason
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

Most of what I have read here indicates either will work. I solved the problem by having two additional uppers; 16, 20, and 24. What will it cost to cut and crown the barrel, over buying another upper for that lower. I know you want to do it right. That's the beauty of the AR platform.
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bama110</div><div class="ubbcode-body">it was shooting pdogs now it is shooting matches </div></div>

What type of "matches" are you shooting in?

Depending on the answer to that question, the Varmint uppers, because of their generally LARGE barrels (1"+ under the HG, 0.936 at the journal, and 0.920 at the muzzle), are heavy pigs to be running and gunning with in a competition setting when a rifle/carbine that is several pounds lighter will do the job (and that is true whether you chop your barrel or not).

What specifically do you want to do with your rifle (or a replacement)? What bullets do you want to shoot? What ranges? What kind of accuracy do you need/want? Etc.
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

for no reason other than personal preference i no longer have any AR with a barrel over 18"....if i need more velocity, or range...i switch to a weapon with a bigger caliber..

bench
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

If your 24" barrel has a rifle length gas system, I'd be leery of going south of 20" as you may run into cycling issues.
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

650 yards is about the max i can get my CLE build to hit nicely shooting 75's or 77's.

a 20" will get you close to 1K. but that was a compass lake build also. don't know if you will get the same results using other components.

18" does what i need it to, so thats why i went shorter.

K
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

I would buy a whole other upper, or better yet a whole other rifle
wink.gif
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

If you are cutting it I would only go to 20" but I agree with BCP and just get an 18" Mk12 type upper and it is all the versatility you need.
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pharm762</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you are cutting it I would only go to 20" but I agree with BCP and just get an 18" Mk12 type upper and it is all the versatility you need. </div></div>

Agreed. I had at one time become torn between the two a 20" SAM-R or a MK12 Mod 1. I've chosen the Mk12 Mod 1. The velocity difference going from 20 to 18 isn't substantial enough to me to want to have a longer profiled gun. 2" doesn't mean much to most but it does to me, especially when your pairing it with a FH and then later a silencer. Which a Ops Inc. 12th model brings it around 24" or a little over when added. Instead of having your barrel cut, i would buy an 18" or 20" upper with a medium profiled barrel or Gov't profiled. Use your existing lower and then later build another lower around the upper you've purchased. That way you have your comp/general purpose rifle and then you have your heavy varminter still there.
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

Thank you all purchased mk12 dpms barrel, upper, yhm forearm, noveske switch block and going to sell the 24" bushmater varmitter upper.
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

Bama,

I just ordered a couple of 20" barrels for 3 reason's. #1 I thought this was going to be enough barrel to keep my 6.5G supersonic @ 1,000 yards. #2 I wanted a matching barrel in .223/5.56 to install on an identical upper to practice with, keeping ammo cost down. #3 I decided that they just had to be that length because somewhere in the 10 jillion things I've read, someone said that the 5.56 was designed to be used in a 20" barrel.

Then shortly there after (Of course) I came across a thread where a guy took several different types of ammo (5.56) and compared velocities between barrel lengths of 7.5, 10.5, 14.5, 16, 18, and 20 inches. The increase in velocity between them was noticeable all the way up to the 18". I was very disappointed to find out that the difference between the 18 and 20" was minimal, and I mean under 10fps using XM193.

I would go with the the 18" to save a little weight, and shorten it's overall length at a minimal loss in velocity.

-Pat

The info below is not mine, but unfortunately I can't remember whose it was to give them the credit.

<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">"XM193 VELOCITY DATA
_________________________________


7.5" 2364 FPS ... 10.5" 2755 FPS
DIFFERENCE 391 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 130 FPS PER INCH

10.5" 2755 FPS ... 14.5" 2984 FPS
DIFFERENCE 229 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 57 FPS PER INCH

14.5" 2984 FPS ... 16" 3075 FPS
DIFFERENCE 91 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 61 FPS

16" 3075 FPS ... 18" 3245 FPS
DIFFERENCE 170 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 85 FPS

18" 3245 ... 20" 3254 FPS
DIFFERENCE 9 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 4.5 FPS"</span></span>
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

Lol, I started my post before bama's last reply...hahaha! Damn work keeps getting in my way.
smile.gif


-Pat
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

I wish I had gotten an 18 over the 20. I haul my rifle around the woods coyote hunting, and though it isnt that heavy, it would be nice to have the barrel a little shorter, and without affecting the velocity that much, it seems pointless to go with a 20"....

Anyone want to trade a 18" upper for my 20"
wink.gif
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

Thank you Pat it is always good to hear you made the right choice. I am amazed it is only 10 fps, I figured it was small but wow
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bama110</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thank you all purchased mk12 dpms barrel, upper, yhm forearm, noveske switch block and going to sell the 24" bushmater varmitter upper. </div></div>

No, don't sell it. Keep it for varminting. Once you get your 18" all set up then it can be your "spr" rifle, and after that you can build up a 14.5-16" to be your "m4gery," and then if you're in a free state you can start thinking about an SBR. And don't forget about a pistol build!
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

I think that information is highly suspect with only a 9 fps difference between 18" and 20". There isn't a lot of information around, but from this: it appears 14-85 fps difference between an 18" barrel and a 20" barrel. It does depend on the load you are using- how hot it is and what bullet.

http://www.accuratereloading.com/223sb.html
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: djkest</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think that information is highly suspect with only a 9 fps difference between 18" and 20". There isn't a lot of information around, but from this: it appears 14-85 fps difference between an 18" barrel and a 20" barrel. It does depend on the load you are using- how hot it is and what bullet.

http://www.accuratereloading.com/223sb.html

</div></div>

djkest,

That's very, very, possible as I have NOT confirmed this myself. I only posted the results given for the 193 which is what I'll be using as a less expensive practice round.

Here are 3 most common types of surplus ammo I see around from the same thread. Note the higher velocity's between 18-20" with the MK 262 (49fps) and M855 (15fps) Still negligible <span style="font-weight: bold">IF</span> this data is correct.

Again, I can't remember who posted this originally, or I would give them their credit:

<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">"MK 262 VELOCITY DATA
__________________________________


7.5" 2053 FPS ... 10.5" 2363 FPS
DIFFERENCE 310 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 103 FPS

10.5" 2363 FPS ... 14.5" 2576 FPS
DIFFERENCE 213 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 53 FPS

14.5" 2576 FPS ... 16" 2669 FPS
DIFFERENCE 93 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 62 FPS

16" 2669 FPS ... 18" 2769 FPS
DIFFERENCE 100 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 50 FPS

18" 2769 FPS ... 20" 2818 FPS
DIFFERENCE 49 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 25 FPS



M855 VELOCITY DATA
__________________________

7.5" 2244 FPS ... 10.5" 2639 FPS
DIFFERENCE 395 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 132 FPS

10.5" 2639 FPS ... 14.5" 2861 FPS
DIFFERENCE 222 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 56 FPS

14.5" 2861 FPS ... 16" 2938 FPS
DIFFERENCE 77 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 51 FPS

16" 2938 FPS ... 18" 3046 FPS
DIFFERENCE 108 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 54 FPS

18" 3046 FPS ... 20" 3061 FPS
DIFFERENCE 15 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 7.5 FPS


XM193 VELOCITY DATA
_________________________________


7.5" 2364 FPS ... 10.5" 2755 FPS
DIFFERENCE 391 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 130 FPS PER INCH

10.5" 2755 FPS ... 14.5" 2984 FPS
DIFFERENCE 229 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 57 FPS PER INCH

14.5" 2984 FPS ... 16" 3075 FPS
DIFFERENCE 91 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 61 FPS

16" 3075 FPS ... 18" 3245 FPS
DIFFERENCE 170 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 85 FPS

18" 3245 ... 20" 3254 FPS
DIFFERENCE 9 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 4.5 FPS"</span>
</span>

-Pat
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

I would remove the 24 inch and twist a fluted 18 DMR barrel on in stainless I thought about chopping mine to 16 and using the 8 inch stub for a hand gun build in another AR-15 build using the barrel extender you can pin on for 24.00 in Brownells but decided to just keep my 24 and buy another short barrel due to twist rate needed. Most guy who got a hb 24 inch hate them due to being too heavy I agree but the 24 inch sure shoots well.
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

I vote 18" If I'm not mistaken, 18" still sends the 77gr (1:7) at a supersonic speed at 1000 yards. I think it's the perfect size compromise.
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

I think 18.0" is ideal, my AR (AR-100) has a 6 groove 1.73 ROT barrel that is a tad longer than 18 inches.
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">





<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">"MK 262 VELOCITY DATA
__________________________________


7.5" 2053 FPS ... 10.5" 2363 FPS
DIFFERENCE 310 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 103 FPS

10.5" 2363 FPS ... 14.5" 2576 FPS
DIFFERENCE 213 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 53 FPS

14.5" 2576 FPS ... 16" 2669 FPS
DIFFERENCE 93 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 62 FPS

16" 2669 FPS ... 18" 2769 FPS
DIFFERENCE 100 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 50 FPS

18" 2769 FPS ... 20" 2818 FPS
DIFFERENCE 49 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 25 FPS



M855 VELOCITY DATA
__________________________

7.5" 2244 FPS ... 10.5" 2639 FPS
DIFFERENCE 395 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 132 FPS

10.5" 2639 FPS ... 14.5" 2861 FPS
DIFFERENCE 222 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 56 FPS

14.5" 2861 FPS ... 16" 2938 FPS
DIFFERENCE 77 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 51 FPS

16" 2938 FPS ... 18" 3046 FPS
DIFFERENCE 108 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 54 FPS

18" 3046 FPS ... 20" 3061 FPS
DIFFERENCE 15 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 7.5 FPS


XM193 VELOCITY DATA
_________________________________


7.5" 2364 FPS ... 10.5" 2755 FPS
DIFFERENCE 391 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 130 FPS PER INCH

10.5" 2755 FPS ... 14.5" 2984 FPS
DIFFERENCE 229 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 57 FPS PER INCH

14.5" 2984 FPS ... 16" 3075 FPS
DIFFERENCE 91 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 61 FPS

16" 3075 FPS ... 18" 3245 FPS
DIFFERENCE 170 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 85 FPS

18" 3245 ... 20" 3254 FPS
DIFFERENCE 9 FPS
DIFFERENCE/INCH 4.5 FPS"</span>
</span>
</div></div>


It may have just been my gun or my environmental conditions, but I am getting around 2,600 fps with MK262 and 2,700 with M855 out of my 18 inch 1/7 Sabre Defense barrel.

 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

I have that same barrel and am getting about 2650-2700 out of it using black hills 77s, 2650 for handloads. What kind of groups you get? I can't get mine to shoot better than MOA.
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

I have a spr with a 18 inch douglas barrel and love it. Very handy size while not giving up alot in other ways. IMO, the 18inch is the perfect barrel length for 99% of everything somebody will use it for. My spr wouldn't be the ideal weapon for room clearing, but guys use full size A2s to do it....so...it can be done. Besides, I don't use it for that.
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have that same barrel and am getting about 2650-2700 out of it using black hills 77s, 2650 for handloads. What kind of groups you get? I can't get mine to shoot better than MOA.</div></div>

I'm getting just under 1 moa with MK262 2nds; which I believe to be more than acceptable for a gas gun. To me, my set up is a great in between of maneuverability and accuracy; very lightweight and handy.
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jakhamr81</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I'm getting just under 1 moa with MK262 2nds; which I believe to be more than acceptable for a gas gun. </div></div>

K, I guess what I'm getting is about right then.

I had an RRA NM that shot a lot better but it weighed a few pounds more and was very front heavy. This rifle weighs considerably less and is much more balanced so I can live with it making 2-2.5" groups at 200.
 
Re: 18 or 20" ar15

My MSTN upper is 17", Paul recommended the 17" barrel as it is the shortest for a rifle length gas system and because it gives up very velocity little to an 18" or even 20" barrel. I think if you want the barrel shorter than 20" you should get as close to 17" as possible.