Can't decide... 18" or 20" bbl

[Croaker]

8)

Edited December 17, 2014 by Croaker

[edgecrusher]

I don't think 180 gr + projo's can be loaded to mag length just so you know. And if you search this site, somewhere is the numbers, but if I remember correctly it's only like a 40 fps loss, nothing substantial

[unforgiven]

Not much difference but for swing around 18" would be the better choise.For .308/7.62 mine is a 20" just the way it came. <dontknow>

[survivalshop]

  Check this out .

[98Z5V]

Some 180s you can get mag length, most 180s, you can't.  175s are the most common heavy load, because almost all 175s can get to mag length.

[Croaker]

8)

Edited December 17, 2014 by Croaker

[98Z5V]

 

So after reading more I am now leaning toward the 18" length but the only one with rifle gas I can find is the Aero.

Fulton Armory, too. 

[Croaker]

8)

Edited December 17, 2014 by Croaker

[98Z5V]

You're passing up a great barrel, based on that.  Which doesn't matter, by the way...

[Matt.Cross]

I looked at the FA 18.5 and liked most of the specs but the one that takes the .75" gas block (which I already have) is a lightweight profile (I don't think I want) and the medium contour barrel takes a .936 gas block, so they were eliminated for those reasons. (actually my last-man-standing selection process is based on eliminations ^-^ )

Why not a .936 GB profile? Mine is mind-bogglingly accurate....

[Croaker]

8)

Edited December 17, 2014 by Croaker

[survivalshop]

  So ,one of you conditions for picking a barrel is a gas block & gas tube you have on hand ? I normally pick the barrel I want & then get the proper components for it . 

 The 16" barrel in the load testing I posted , is a FA 16" with a rifle length gas system & 0.936" as is the FA 20" I have .

[Croaker]

8)

Edited December 17, 2014 by Croaker

[survivalshop]

    M4 feed ramps ? We are talking about a 308AR correct ? 

    You could be making this a little too complicated , the head scratching is a clue  <thumbsup>

    Mid length will work , the only difference between a mid & rifle will ( maybe) be a little more recoil & all actions can be tweaked with a different Buffer , buffer spring or both & then you can also get into a adjustable gas block .

[AdamO]

I'm running a 16" mid-length with adjustable gas, standard DPMS 308 buffer and spring and my recoil is very .223-ish, brass kicking out right at 3 o'clock (ZQI NATO for plinkin').  Runs like a dream.

Edited November 24, 2014 by AdamO

[Croaker]

8)

Edited December 17, 2014 by Croaker

[survivalshop]

   The reason for the 16" coming up so much is weight & the 20" will add to that figure . I can tell you my 16" shoots just a well as my 20" @ 200 yards . I will be going much further this spring in my barrel comparisons . I don't see any advantage to the longer barrel or very little out to 600 yards & if I had a choice of carrying one or the other , the 16" would win hands down .

 

  The M4 feed ramps are not needed in a 308AR rifle . I'll post some photo's of my Fulton Armory , Kreiger Criterion barrels feed ramps for your viewing .

 

 Here's my 16" FA barrel , if this has M4 feed ramps , do you have the corresponding ramp cuts in your lower  Upper receiver ?

Edited November 25, 2014 by survivalshop

[StainTrain]

SS has it right.  I own a 16 inch and the 18 inch (which is still for sale, I'm lazy) and have a 20 inch that is issued to me.  I must prefer my 16 inch over all of those.  I have been able to hit targets and take small and medium game with no issues.  The 18 inch was my favorite, but I like the maneuverability of the 16 inch.  The 20 inch is a beast even without the suppressor (saying it has a heavy barrel is an understatement). 

Edited November 25, 2014 by StainTrain

[Croaker]

8)

Edited December 17, 2014 by Croaker

[survivalshop]

   I ment to type Upper <dontknow>  , I fixed it . Doooooooo!

 

 The choice of course is yours on barrel length & we are just putting our experiences forward, for you to scratch you head with . <thumbsup>

 

  If you look at my comparison data , there is about 100 FPS  loss between the 20" & 16" , so an 18" would be some where around 50 fps  & if you look at the IMR 4064,in some loads there is almost no noticeable difference in Velocity between the two Barrels . so to me barrel length between a 16, 18 & 20 " doesn't mean enough to chose one over the other , as far as FPS . All loads we tested with DPMS 308AR's

  If your building a bench rifle , by all means go with a 20" HB. 

[Christopher67]

Im having this same dilema deciding which barrel to go with, 16", 18" or 20", for my Aero Precision M5 (.308) Stripped Receiver Set. <dontknow>    Im going to be hunting white tail deer ect... with it, target range area out to about 250yds.

[StainTrain]

Im having this same dilema deciding which barrel to go with, 16", 18" or 20", for my Aero Precision M5 (.308) Stripped Receiver Set. <dontknow> Im going to be hunting white tail deer ect... with it, target range area out to about 250yds.

16 will serve you wll in that role. I have killed WTD with all three lengths and they all tasted the same......delicious.

Edited November 25, 2014 by StainTrain

[Christopher67]

16 will serve you wll in that role.

 

Ok, my only question now would be gas system length? mid-length is the only option im assuming in a 16" barrel length?

[StainTrain]

Mid is the ticket

[Christopher67]

Mid is the ticket

 

 

Even with this buffer/tube/spring i have listed here?