AR-15

[justjeff]

Am I am sure he knows the added barrel length uses more of the energy from the powder which translates to a higher velocity that translates to longer distance for the equal amount of drop which translates to hitting a target farther away without having to be on a mountain top shooting down. ... in other words, no he can't but he thinks he can.

All projectiles drop to the earth at the same rate...its this funny thing called GAVITY... tell your buddy to look it up. When you use more of the explosive energy to expel the projectile, that increases its velocity and thusly the distance it travels before GRAVITY brings that projectile to a rest. Thats another wonderful thing called Newton's Laws, there are 3 of them related to this. Have your friend look it up.

So if I were to place a 24" and a 18" side by side, positioned at the best angle for the best arc and pull the triggers, the projectile from the 24" will go farther... YET both projectiles will strike the Earth at the SAME TIME.

I am sure your buddy referenced that statement with, "@ 500 yards, there is no difference for me when I shoot a 24" or a 18"..." or something to that effect.

edit and I will add.. a 16" barrel is the same as a 24" barrel for what I shoot. Just as your friend, I am limited by my skill. He just doesnt get any better with a 24". But in the end a 24" will out shoot an 18".

To help prove his point.

[russ69]

... When in fact a 24" barrel does in fact provide a measured more accurate fire at longer ranges.

OK guys, don't confuse accuracy and velocities needed for long range. The truth of the matter is that the quicker we can get the bullet out of the barrel, the less time the sights have a chance to get off center. If we could get 3100 fps out of a 12 inch barreled rifle that's what we would use.
Olympic air rifles only have 16 inches of rifling, because that is all that is needed, the rest is just for extra sight radius.