choosing an AR barrel 16 or 18 inch?

[user293]

so im in the middle of an AR build but im kinda stuck on the barrel. I was sure i wanted an 18' 1-8, and wylde chamer. rainier was first on the list, followed by midway's "ar stoner" barrel. i got to thinking, with my lightweight YHM quadrail, and the skeleton stock, the 18" barrel may be a bit front heavy. the gun is going to be used for genereal target shooting and i also want to use it for coyotes occasionally as well. out to 300 yards max. i wanted the performance of an 18" barrel, but can a 16" "match" barrel give me results that will be fine for what i want? anybody with a quality 16" out there that uses it for longer range? or any opinions on different barrels they have experience with would be awesome. thanks! oh and id like to keep the 1-8 and the wylde chamber so i can keep ammunition options open.

[shooter115]

I have a 16" Loather Walther barrel on one of my carbines that is extrmely accurate, but it's only a 1-9 twist. My favorite right now is the DPMS MK12 18" barrel, it's NATO chambered, but shoots lights out. I'll give you a little hint here, these barrels come from Wilson, just like many others that charge 2-3 times as much for the same thing based on the brand name it's sold under. Just sayin

[rukwikenuf]

i don't have an optic for mine yet, but i have a 20" fluted bbl i got from Rugersol, and it's nice and light. i'd be glad to demonstrate the heft or lack thereof. i have a Troy Battlerail Alpha on the rifle right now, and it weighs less than the 14.5" bbl my friend Cameron has. he has the same rail system, but mine's a 15 inch and his is a 9 inch. seriously, my 20" bbl weighs less than his 14.5". same stock (MOE Magpul), he's got an Aimpoint Micro i have a Burris Fastfire II, comparably equipped guns.

[larson1122]

A 16" barrel would do just fine if you're only wanting to shoot to 300 yards. I don't think you are going to gain much by going to the 18" barrel.

[user293]

A 16" barrel would do just fine if you're only wanting to shoot to 300 yards. I don't think you are going to gain much by going to the 18" barrel.

from what ive been reading, im starting to think this. i may gain some velocity with an 18" but not much. plus i think a 16" barrel looks better with a rifle length handguard too. just looks balanced

[solidgun]

You should go with an 18" barrel as it seems like weight won't be an issue for your purpose. While the accuracy will not change much for the distance you will regularly shoot, you might as well go for the 18" as you will only wonder if that extra 2" was really worth changing as you had originally planned.

[yuppiejr]

You can kill a coyote with iron sights out of a 16" gi profile barrel at 300 yards, more barrel = a bit more velocity, no impact on accuracy... not sure if you were planning a rifle vs midlength gas system on the 18 vs 16", that is the only variable I can think of besides balance and overall weight that is really a factor.

If you plan to do any sort of hunting I'd probably also opt for the 18" as the extra energy downrange can mean the difference between a bullet performing.. or not.. at range. If it's truly only for occasional hunting a 16" is probably fine to punch paper.

[rugersol]

My favorite right now is the DPMS MK12 18" barrel, it's NATO chambered, but shoots lights out. I'll give you a little hint here, these barrels come from Wilson, just like many others that charge 2-3 times as much for the same thing based on the brand name it's sold under. Just sayin

+∞³

I don't have one ... I got it's cousin! ... 16in ... I have shot one, though! ... I think it's the best bbl ... even if it cost 50% more ... fer the money, out there!

I dunno 'bout shootin' a M4-profile cold ... I ain't got that kinda patience!

But if yer ok with the overall weight, I'd definitely go with that Mk12! ... I like a well-balanced rifle ... but otherwise don't have issues shootin' a front-heavy rifle ... prefer that over butt-heavy, anyhow!

Otherwise, any reputable mid-heavy 16in ... IMO ... would be perfectly fine!

I also don't put much into 5.56 vs. .223 vs. Wylde ... or 1:8 vs. 1:9 ... I'd look at quality, profile, price, and availability ... if I get a hit, I'd buy it! ... then find a load it likes!

[walstien]

I have a 16" Loather Walther barrel on one of my carbines that is extrmely accurate, but it's only a 1-9 twist. My favorite right now is the DPMS MK12 18" barrel, it's NATO chambered, but shoots lights out. I'll give you a little hint here, these barrels come from Wilson, just like many others that charge 2-3 times as much for the same thing based on the brand name it's sold under. Just sayin

I have this barrel and I can attest to its accuracy. Works well with all of my loads and bullet weights. Its also not etremely heavy.
I have a MI 12" SSII rail on it. Light n' tight!

[user293]

good stuff up there ^^ im all but set on a decision for the Rainier Match series 18" with MID gas. ill keep my Yankee Hill lightweight quad rail, but i may go for a longer one (15" or 13.8 or whatever) someday. all i need is the gas system, glass, a mag and ammunition ( besides the barrel of course). i really do like those handguards that let you put the rails on as you wish.

[farmerj]

I have shot the m4 with the 14.5" barrel with more than enough accuracy out to 600 M. I have watched others use the same rifle with even more scary accuracy out to the same distance.


Having said that, I'd use either one of those out to 600 M without hesitation.

[user293]

the DPMS Mk12 barrel is starting to get my attention. maybe Rugersol can chime in here, but what kind of accuracy are you guys getting out of it? less than MOA? if it averages less than 1MOA at 100-200 i may nab that barrel.

[rugersol]

the DPMS Mk12 barrel is starting to get my attention. maybe Rugersol can chime in here, but what kind of accuracy are you guys getting out of it? less than MOA? if it averages less than 1MOA at 100-200 i may nab that barrel.

again, the one I shot was not mine .. but if I was to buy 'nother bbl, that'd be the one!


... this was at 100yd at OGC ... off sand ... jest screwin around ... that's 4rd in the ragged hole ... 16in DPMS! ... basically identical to the Mk12, -2in.

... I'm wholly to blame fer the flyer!

[user293]

lookin good for this barrel. i have to say, ive found alot more good then bad, as far as reviews for the barrel. element arms has one on gunbroker for 10 bucks cheaper than midway, i may call tomorrow and see if they have any more. the reason why i wanted a Wylde chamber is to be able to shoot a more variety of ammo (223 and 556) just in case the ammo starts to become hard to find. but i see black hills has some good looking match ammo in 556 (m855? or M-somethin) and there seems to be some good, cheaper 556 ammo available, so i could deal with runnin 556 ammo only, since the barrel gives so much bang for the buck.

[gunforhire]

I was poking prairie dogs at distances up to 800 yards with a 16" dsa m4 profile barrel. 1n9 twist using 62 gr .223 hollowpoints. I also have the 12" MI Gen 2 ss handguard. 1n8 is gonna give you the most vesatility of ammo selection. 1n9 is really good at 55 and 62 gr ammo and not so much with longer and heavier projectiles as well as the lighter varmint loads.