AR-15 .223 barrel Length?

[nfhjr62]

Have a DPMS 24" 1/8 barrel also a little front heavy BUT want the 24" barrel so will add some weight to the buttock to even things out

[bullfrog]

I love the 18" barrel on my RRA varmint model. The balance is perfect for me. I chrony'd the Hornady 75gr BTHP factory load and lost right at 200 fps from advertised velocity. The heavier bullets shoot WAY BETTER in my 8 twist barrel, especially any thing over 300yds. The increased drop takes some getting used to but the accuracy is worth it.

[chuckmaster]

To me, it all depends upon what you plan on using your AR15 or AR10 for. They were developed and designed for quick shouldering and pointing, that is why they usually come with a 16" to 20" barrel. They were made for tactical situations, geting in and around tught quarters.

If you are looking for a hunting rifle then you go with the longer barrel. Not to say that an 16" to 20 " barrel can't reach out that far, but you will not have the consistant shot after shot consistancy that you would with a longer barrel.

Mine is a dual purpose gun, to be used for what it was originally designed for and to varmit hunt with. It is a 16" DPMS Lo-Pro Classic that shoots great.

Good luck with whatever you decide to go with.

Jim

[1idCat]

If your main complaint is that the long barrel is nose heavy, try putting lead in the buttstock. That will balance it out. You can buy a cast lead ingot that will fit perfectly, or you can just fill the butt compartment with birdshot in a ziplock bag, or spare bullets.

The longer barrel length will shine at longer distances. With my WOA 26" varmint rifle and 77 or 75 gr handloads, sub MOA shots out to 600+ is boringly easy.

[CLICKBANGBANG]

If it was me, I'd leave it at the longer length. I have a 20" RRA varmint 1/8 and wish I had picked up the 24" barrel to squeeze out a few more fps. I think 20" would be the minimum to maximize the velocity/ weight trade.

To balance out the gun I got the lead buttstock weight for my A2 stock. It does a great job of making the gun not so front heavy. It used to balance on the front bag. With the weight in there now, it helps the gun to settle down when on the bench. And for $24, it is a cheap thing to try before you invest in chopping the barrel that you can't reverse without replacing.

As far as loads...... I have been happy with what I've found with the Hornady 68 grain HPBT Match. Win brass, cci 400, and Varget. Mag length got me under an inch. And 5 thousands off the lands got me under .5". I'd have to look in my log to see the powder weight but it was around 23-24 grains. They are not hot, but are spot on with my gun. The worst groups with this work up was 1.3" and average was .9". The load of choice ended up around .45" five round groups.

edit- spelling