moopey Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 I've been doing some looking around for barrels and have a couple questions. My first question is, is a there a big difference in a 18" barrel vs. a 16" barrel. I won't be hunting with this rifle. It's just a range gun. I'm not into target competitions or anything like that. I'm leaning toward 16" right now just to keep the rifle fairly short. My next question is which of the following two barrels would you prefer? http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/barrel-parts/rifle-barrels/ar-15-m16-308ar-nitride-barrels-prod54801.aspx This is a 16" barrel that uses a carbine length gas system http://www.fulton-armory.com/barrelfatitan185lwcm1x10750gasblockchrome-lined-1.aspx this is a 16" barrel that uses a rifle length gas system. I'm curious what the difference would be when using a 16" rifle with different length gas systems. Any info would be great. Thanks. -Derek- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 Fulton is good stuff.I think rifle length is increased dwell and lockup time.If that was you'r 2 choices Fulton.Just my 2 mags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 Derek- If I had the option at the time, to buy a FA 16" rifle length barrel, I never would've bought my carbon fiber wrapped barrel. FA cancelled the barrel just before I started building, and then started selling it again just after I received my custom barrel. The rifle length gas will soften the impact of your rifle, as the longer gas system will slow the reaction of your rifles cycle. All that being said, I ordered the 18" barrel you posted from NEMO Arms. It's for a friend of mine. I wanted him to get the FA 16", he wanted some god-awful 22" heavy barrel, I talked him down to the 18" HBAR NEMO. If you want a fun, accurate and portable rifle... Go with the FA 16" rifle length. If you want to stretch your shooting out, or you plan to do the greater majority of your shooting from a bench, go with the NEMO 18" rifle length. Either decision you make, is a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 Strictly personal opinion. I believe you should have the longest gas system that'll fit on your barrel. I'd bet a piston operated .308 would work fine with a 14.5" rifle length gas system Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moopey Posted May 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 When you say soften the impact, do you mean soften the recoil, or just soften the impact on the internal components? This would probably be better on optics as well I'd imagine? Most, if not all my shooting will be done at a range, possibly at a bench. I was thinking of getting as long of a hand guard as I can for a 16" barrel and possibly put a bi-pod on the front end. Not exactly sure yet. The 16" Nemo is still a decent barrel? I just need to make a decision on gas system length vs. the FA barrel. I was worried the FA barrel might be the better choice. I'll have to start putting more money aside for the barrel then. haha Thanks for the info. Derek- If I had the option at the time, to buy a FA 16" rifle length barrel, I never would've bought my carbon fiber wrapped barrel. FA cancelled the barrel just before I started building, and then started selling it again just after I received my custom barrel. The rifle length gas will soften the impact of your rifle, as the longer gas system will slow the reaction of your rifles cycle. All that being said, I ordered the 18" barrel you posted from NEMO Arms. It's for a friend of mine. I wanted him to get the FA 16", he wanted some god-awful 22" heavy barrel, I talked him down to the 18" HBAR NEMO. If you want a fun, accurate and portable rifle... Go with the FA 16" rifle length. If you want to stretch your shooting out, or you plan to do the greater majority of your shooting from a bench, go with the NEMO 18" rifle length. Either decision you make, is a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 Hi Moop Ilike the 16" Rainier barrels they all shoot sub moa and they have a middy length gas system ....never ever had a cycle problem with a middy gas system Wash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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