Need question answered on barrel length

[Lateralus]

I decided on this upper and noticed it came in 24" and 26" models. Is there any reason to not go with the longer barrel? I am looking to get as good accuracy as i can out to 500 yards maximum, and most the time under 300. TIA

[mltrading]

Frankly, for your application, 18" is enough.

[BoltActionBob]

What upper is that? have a link?

[Fjold]

What upper is that? have a link?

It's a White Oak Armament.

[scfast]

26" damn thats long Could you use that for cqb also?

[ohsmily]

more length does not = more accuracy. Generally, a longer barrel will give you more muzzle velocity thus allowing you to reach out farther with a particular load. It does not mean better accuracy. I would get an 18" or 20" barrel for what you are talking about. The 26" barrel on an AR is REALLY long. Cumbersome to say the least, even if you are only using it for bench shooting. If you must get a long barrel, stick with the 24 and not the 26.

[jacques]

My 20 inch is plenty long. I wouldn't go longer than that, it starts to get real heavy after awhile.

[5150Marcelo]

whats that upper going for?

[jacques]

I just looked at the web site, $590-620 depending on length. They have Gun Socks on there. I have never seen those before.

[ocabj]

I'm getting a kick out of the responses about the extra weight and length making the rifle too cumbersome. The OP wants a target gun, not a battle/combat/duty rifle.

I don't see how 24 or 26" is going to be so cumbersome or unwieldy for target shooting than an 18" or 20". Ok, I'll concede that in standing unsupported, that extra 6" might catch the wind a little more than a 20" and cause you to sway more.

I'd get the 24" or 26". That extra length is going to get you at least an extra 100fps muzzle velocity, and for 500+ yards and the .223, you can take what you can get to fight wind changes.

[Lateralus]

These responses are interesting. Yes, I want accuracy. At longer ranges, more muzzle velocity helps accuracy. Im not carrying it on hikes, and i do most, if not all, my shooting from benches and prone. So I have no problem with a longer barrel if it will increase velocity.

I have heard the last 2 inches on a 26" upper can hurt performance if not fitted with the exact right load. Is this true?

[J_Rock]

These responses are interesting. Yes, I want accuracy. At longer ranges, more muzzle velocity helps accuracy. Im not carrying it on hikes, and i do most, if not all, my shooting from benches and prone. So I have no problem with a longer barrel if it will increase velocity.

I have heard the last 2 inches on a 26" upper can hurt performance if not fitted with the exact right load. Is this true?

Yes and No. A longer barrel will help you reach further and buck the wind more but a shorter fatter barrel is more accurate. Longer barrels are less stiff which is actually detrimental to barrel accuracy

[ohsmily]

I'm getting a kick out of the responses about the extra weight and length making the rifle too cumbersome. The OP wants a target gun, not a battle/combat/duty rifle.

I don't see how 24 or 26" is going to be so cumbersome or unwieldy for target shooting than an 18" or 20". Ok, I'll concede that in standing unsupported, that extra 6" might catch the wind a little more than a 20" and cause you to sway more.

I'd get the 24" or 26". That extra length is going to get you at least an extra 100fps muzzle velocity, and for 500+ yards and the .223, you can take what you can get to fight wind changes.

Have you ever handled one? I have a 24" bull barrel setup. I never shoot with it past 500 yards. I wish I had bought a 20". The 24", even though I only use it on the bench, is a very front heavy, unwieldy gun, even on the rest. Unless you plan on target shooting past 500 yards, just get the 18" or 20".

If you simply must have the longer barrel, then plan on buying a buttstock weight to even out the rifle. This will make the gun even heavier though.

[aplinker]

It will be heavy.

A bull barrel is plenty stiff to support out to 26". It will be accurate.

At 24" you're so long anyways that 26" won't make a difference , however, I know 26" on an AR wouldn't fit in my trunk directly across, so you should check things like that. I'd rather not have to break it down or put it in the back seat.

[Sniper3142]

Yes and No. A longer barrel will help you reach further and buck the wind more but a shorter fatter barrel is more accurate. Longer barrels are less stiff which is actually detrimental to barrel accuracy

Not true.

A shorter barrel MIGHT be more accurate than a longer barrel. There are MANY factors that determine it. There are MANY long barrels that are far more accurate than most of the shooters using them.

I have a 24" Armalite upper with a Larue 13.2 Handguard on it. It isn't very heavy (to me) either, mainly due to the very light Larue HG. If all you want is to get to 500 yards with good velocity then either 18" or 20" will do that fine. A 24" barrel would give you higher velocity to those ranges.

It really depends on your like & dislikes as well as your strengths and weaknesses.