Barrel length question

[idbstyler]

I was curious if you would loose any accuracy going from a 16" barrel to a 14.5" barrel. Is there really a noticeable difference?

[Sniper3142]

Accuracy is not directly affected by barrel length.

Velocity (and therefore, maximum effective range) is what is most affected by barrel length.

[HighLander51]

'Accuracy' is a combo of sight picture, trigger, ammo and distance. You probably won't make any 350 yard shots on steel with what you are talking about. It all depends on what you are looking for.

[vta]

you might lose accuracy if the crown on the barrel is not re-cut evenly. if its done by a competent smith you should be fine. effective range will be the issue as mentioned above.

[twotap]

How short can a barrel be before it becomes too short and compromises your freedom?

[Sniper3142]

How short can a barrel be before it becomes too short and compromises your freedom?

I'm not sure I understand your question.

The legal minimum barrel length in the state of California is 16 inches. This is also the federal minimum.

[cmaynes]

16 inches unless you can get a sign-off for an SBR (and pay the the $200 for the tax stamp).

[RRichie09]

16 inches unless you can get a sign-off for an SBR (and pay the the $200 for the tax stamp).

Sign-off? Can you elaborate?

[dachan]

Sign-off? Can you elaborate?

The application to purchase a federal tax stamp (license) for a SBR requires the signature of your local chief law enforcement officer (CLEO).

[CSACANNONEER]

The application to purchase a federal tax stamp (license) for a SBR requires the signature of your local chief law enforcement officer (CLEO).

Or, if you are looking for a C&R SBR, you can just do a trust and not deal with your local LEA!

Also, you can go with a 14.5" barrel with a permanent extension attached to it. This will give you the ballistics of a 14'5" barrel and the ability to keep it as a regular title one long gun at the same time. This is VERY commonly done.

[RRichie09]

The application to purchase a federal tax stamp (license) for a SBR requires the signature of your local chief law enforcement officer (CLEO).

How likely is this to happen? I don't hear about people with SBR in Cali.

I want a 12.5" ar sooo bad.

[goodlookin1]

How likely is this to happen? I don't hear about people with SBR in Cali.

I want a 12.5" ar sooo bad.

I wouldn't hold your breath...

[CSACANNONEER]

I wouldn't hold your breath...

Why? As long as it's a C&R, it's easy to get in California!

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=82693

[RRichie09]

Why? As long as it's a C&R, it's easy to get in California!

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...ad.php?t=82693

AR's aren't C&R

and I wouldn't call that easy, I'd call that jumping through flaming hoops like damn animal in the circus.

[Omega13device]

Getting back to the original question...a shorter barrel does not automatically mean less accuracy. Here's a post from another forum that says it better than I can.

Speaking very broadly, assuming your barrel is long enough to properly stabilize the bullet and the barrels have the same diameter, the shorter barrel will be stiffer, which means it flexes less due to temperature, etc., which means that theoretically at least, you'll get smaller groups.

Practically speaking, you also have to add in your means of sighting. If you shorten the sight radius, then you're practical accuracy will probably degrade. If you are using an optic or the same sight radius, then that won't matter. Again, we're only talking group size, not actually hitting what you want to hit.

There is something else to consider as well. As the range increases, the bullet loses velocity due to drag. At some point, the bullet will lose stability because it's just moving too slowly. Obviously, the barrel with the lower velocity will reach instability before the other one.

One final thought. If your barrel is too long, you might actually decrease bullet velocity. Once the powder has all burned, keeping the bullet in the barrel will result in friction reducing the velocity. So it isn't a given that you can increase a barrel length without any potential downside.