AE barrel lengths

[Tinbendur]

I am just dreaming here but everyone needs a dream. I am planning on selling my 308 5R and buying a trainer first. I can currently shot 100 yards in my back yard and 200 at current range. But I do plan on moving up to 1000 once. I improve some skills.

I am thinking I want to save up and get an AI AE MK11 308 20" with brake folder. With the right skillz and training will the 20" be any different than say the 24" up to 1000.

I guess I am wondering and still learning ballistics and barrel length.

Thank you for your help.

 

[81sfo]

Re: AE barrel lengths

A 24" will easly shoot great out to 1000 yds ,the 20" will reach out aswell, but you must choose your bullet and powder wisely to get to the working speeds for the chosen bullet. You must be on your game if you want to compete with a 20" 308 rifle.My first match at 1000 yards i did use my Aw 20" 308 and i enjoyed it.Using 155 lapua scenars,IMR 8802 xbr powder in Nosler comp brass i found this combo to work great for me.

 

[Mike]

Re: AE barrel lengths

A 20" barrel will have no problem reaching out to 1000 yards and the velocity difference in that 4" will be minimal. Plus, a 20" barrel is obviously more maneuverable, and along with the folding stock, will be nice and compact. Plus, if you ever decide to run a can you'll find you made a good decision getting the 20" barrel.

And, if all else fails, you can swap the barrel out later.

Good luck.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: AE barrel lengths

My 20" AE achieves the same velocities as my 26" Remington when using my competition handloads.

If I was running some smoking hot loads there would probably be a difference, but there is no need to, since 2600+ fps will get me supersonic past 1K with 175 smk's.

 

[trilogymac]

Re: AE barrel lengths

Backed into my velocity with the JBM calculator after shooting the 20" AE at 5 and 600 yards today. 178amax, 44.7 rl-15, win brass and br2's. The AE 20" is kick ass. 2700 FPS.

Thats 50 fps slower than my 20" Rock barrel with the same load but I like the AE soooo much more.

hope this helps,
Trilogymac

 

[Tinbendur]

Re: AE barrel lengths

Thank you guys very much. I appreciate the help. What about factory loads? 20" barrel with a suppressor someday would be the stuff since the neighbors have complained where we shot sometimes. It hurts their little doggies ears.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: AE barrel lengths

It's going to depend on the factory load.

Since factory ammo is usually not hot loaded you are not going to see a lot of difference between the two.

I can tell you that there is no appreciable difference between a 20" M700 and 26" M700 with 168gr Gold Metal Match. I have not chrono'ed the two, but the ballistics are very close and they went sideways at about the same distance.

 

[SRT_Supply]

Re: AE barrel lengths

I think you'll be more than satisfied with the performance from either barrel length, and the addition of a good suppressor will reduce the sound signature with any load you choose down to neighborly levels.

 

[Timo Turl]

Re: AE barrel lengths

Hey LoneWolf, did you ever write up the AE MK II after asking for feedback on it ? I for one would be interested to hear detailed thoughts if you have the time.

 

[SRT_Supply]

Re: AE barrel lengths

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJ.</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey LoneWolf, did you ever write up the AE MK II after asking for feedback on it ? I for one would be interested to hear detailed thoughts if you have the time. </div></div>

This is probably closest:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2027495&page=1

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: AE barrel lengths

TJ, the writeup was published in Sniperworx Magazine


I will have it up on my website by the end of the week. The nice thing about the web version is that it will be an ongoing review. When/if I have issues I update the reviews.

 

[Timo Turl]

Re: AE barrel lengths

Thx sir, I am looking forward to reading it.