Barrel length and buffer question

[Eastcoastlaxin]

I had a question with regards to buffers and barrel length. I always thought carbine was 16" or less and rifle was over 20". I was thinking about an 18" barrel, wanting to shoot at the range out to about 300 yds and be able to reach out a little further for kicks and giggles... I thought that a 16" would be to short for that.

I also thought that if I was using an adjustable stock then I needed to use carbine size buffer and spring. I'm building my 308 using a black rain 308 set and got a tapco buffer tube.

Any and all info is greatly appreciated.

[SpookyEng]

Which size buffer tube, .308 or AR 15? If it is a standard 7" buffer tube you cannot use a std carbine buffer and spring. If 300 yards is all your looking for any of those lengths are fine.

[Eastcoastlaxin]

It is this:

TAPCO Receiver Extension Buffer Tube Assembly 6-Position AR-15 Carbine Aluminum Matte

From Midway......

[392heminut]

AR-15's and  308 AR's use the same buffer tubes, the 308 AR's use a shorter buffer due to the longer BCG.

 

So you have a carbine buffer tube, the next question is, is it a mil-spec or commercial diameter?

Edited October 29, 2014 by 392heminut

[Eastcoastlaxin]

Milspec... Sorry, should have posted that little tidbit....

[392heminut]

That buffer tube will work fine on your 308 build. As for barrel length, a 16" barrel will work fine for what you're wanting to do with it. Also, the barrel length has no bearing on the type of buffer tube you can use and vice versa.

[Eastcoastlaxin]

Thank you for clearing that up, I appreciate it...

[edgecrusher]

Buffers are only relative to the configuration of stock you plan to use. That's it.

Also a good 16" barrel with a competent trigger puller is good out to 800yds.

[Eastcoastlaxin]

Thanks for that..... 800 yds with a 16 inch barrel is pretty impressive..... Speaking of barrels, my budget puts me at a black hole weaponry, Rainer select, or the 18.5 criterion from Fulton Armory... Any preference or suggestions? I'm at about a 300.00 barrel budget to get me shooting....

[shibiwan]

If you're using a standard tapco buffer assembly, toss out the spring and the buffer, and replace them with a DPMS-length 308 buffer and spring

[edgecrusher]

Rainier or Fulton, I'd skip the other completely

[392heminut]

If you're using a standard tapco buffer assembly, toss out the spring and the buffer, and replace them with a DPMS-length 308 buffer and spring

^^^^^^This!

[SpookyEng]

AR-15's and  308 AR's use the same buffer tubes, the 308 AR's use a shorter buffer due to the longer BCG.

 

So you have a carbine buffer tube, the next question is, is it a mil-spec or commercial diameter?

I was referencing the 7 3/4 in tube v 7 in tube, I probably should been more specific.

[shibiwan]

....the chap mentioned "Tapco" so the assumption was the standard carbine length. :D