AR Barrel Length

[Bike Effects]

I am building a Varmint AR in .223. I need to decide between a 20' and 24' barrel. I am a handloader and have done a lot of accuracy loading for bolt guns but never did anything with an AR. What considerations do you see about these two barrel lengths, considering I reload. I doubt that this rifle will see long range use as I have some .22-250's and 6mms that would be more up to that task. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[trebark]

Putting a 24" barrel on an AR is like jamming a square peg in a round hole. Ballistically, you gain little with the extra 4" of barrel if the shots are 400 or closer. As a result, go with 20" for that matter 16" would work just fine too.

[Bike Effects]

Well, I'm not sure I understand the round hole, square peg analogy, but thanks for your thoughts.

[dust]

I think he means answer to a question that wasn't asked.

[trebark]

Originally Posted by Bike Effects

Well, I'm not sure I understand the round hole, square peg analogy, but thanks for your thoughts.

It means that putting a 24" barrel attempts to put the rifle into a role for which is was not intended. Gas operated AR's cannot produce a consistent ES. As a result, its longrange capabilities are not great. For that reason, my advice is to use the AR for the role in which is was intended which is to shoot 300 and less yards. For that kind of distance, there is little ballistic difference between a 16 or 20" barrel and just no need for a 24".

[rdsii64]

I will be the one weirdo in the group. A lot of these comments about not much difference between 16 and 20 inch barrels and 24 inches just not needed is assuming you are chambering your rifle in 223 and even then I somewhat disagree.

With that said, the AR15 can be an excellent platform at any range if you define its purpose and chose the correct caliber and components before you start spending money. With todays components, it's not hard at all to build a consistent autoloading rifle that can be a bolt guns equal in terms of accuracy .
so before you can decide on proper barrel length you have to define the rifles purpose and the round which you intend to use.

I chose a 20" 8 twist barrel for my rig. It works very well for my needs

[kansas45]

I have both 20" & 24" AR15's. Both are equal out to 300 yds, with the 24" holding a better group beyond that. The 20 incher dosen't give up much, but there is a difference.