I am building a varmint rifle and am torn between a 20" or 24" barrel. I am using a Bushmaster M4 Lower as a base(wife likes the adjustable stock so it's a more comfortable fit). I was originally thinking about a 20 inch BM upper with a Harris 6-9 Bi-pod and a TA01 ACOG. Now am thinking about a 24" BM Upper and a Traditional (Higher Power) Scope. I think the 24" upper would cause the rifle to be unbalanced with the colapsable stock. Any ideas? Recommendations, Pictures?Could I use lead tape, designed for golf clubs, to add a little balance weight on the back end?
20" vs. 24" upper for AR Varmint?
- Thread starter nucstl1
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I would say that the 24" bbl is entirely unneeded. If you're concerned about balance, I would absolutely say stick with the 20.
That said, I'm not an AR expert or hard core varmint shooter. But I cannot imagine the 24" bbl getting you anything that is not more than offset by its shortcomings, if you are planning to do any offhand shooting (which you imply by asking about the balance).
Mike
That said, I'm not an AR expert or hard core varmint shooter. But I cannot imagine the 24" bbl getting you anything that is not more than offset by its shortcomings, if you are planning to do any offhand shooting (which you imply by asking about the balance).
Mike
Jackal
Member
Even the 16" HBAR on my Bushmaster carbine makes my rifle very front heavy. The front heavy balance is just a normal occurance with the telescoping stocks. That said, i do suppose you could add weight to the rear for a better balance. If your gonna go for a varmint rifle, you might as well get a 24" barrel. The .223 makes all of its power from velocity, so the longer barrel will add much needed oomph to those longe range prairie shots.
I shoot two 24" barrel AR rifles.
The rifle would be no more unbalanced with a collapsable stock than they are with a standard stock and some of the newer design collapsing stocks are actually heavier than a standard fixed stock set up.
If you use a bi-pod the rifle would only be more comfortable for your wife to shoot with a collapsing stock in place though I admit the set-up may look a bit goofy.
One of my rifles uses a Bushmaster 1-9 twist, 24" stainless Varminteer barrel, an Accuracy Speaks free float tube and a 6X42 fixed power scope mounted on a flat top receiver.
The other rifle uses a 1-10 twist Olympic 24" barrel with a Pachmayer float tube and a 6X24X50 variable scope on a flat top.
I sometimes use a Harris Bi-pod on both rifles and both have been shot in competition, (300 meter free rifle), and both are used for hunting.
Both rifles will shoot under MOA to 300 meters, neither requires a flash hider or muzzle brake and I recommend a 24" barrel for general shooting and hunting.
If you want a heavy,stable rifle you could use a shorter M16A1 fixed stock which should be short enough to comfortably accomodate your wifes smallertature and place a lead weight in the storage area of the buttstock.
This will bring the rifle up to 11 pounds or more depending on the weight of the scope, mount,s and bi-pod and make for a very stable bench rested or prone position shooting rifle. HTH
The rifle would be no more unbalanced with a collapsable stock than they are with a standard stock and some of the newer design collapsing stocks are actually heavier than a standard fixed stock set up.
If you use a bi-pod the rifle would only be more comfortable for your wife to shoot with a collapsing stock in place though I admit the set-up may look a bit goofy.
One of my rifles uses a Bushmaster 1-9 twist, 24" stainless Varminteer barrel, an Accuracy Speaks free float tube and a 6X42 fixed power scope mounted on a flat top receiver.
The other rifle uses a 1-10 twist Olympic 24" barrel with a Pachmayer float tube and a 6X24X50 variable scope on a flat top.
I sometimes use a Harris Bi-pod on both rifles and both have been shot in competition, (300 meter free rifle), and both are used for hunting.
Both rifles will shoot under MOA to 300 meters, neither requires a flash hider or muzzle brake and I recommend a 24" barrel for general shooting and hunting.
If you want a heavy,stable rifle you could use a shorter M16A1 fixed stock which should be short enough to comfortably accomodate your wifes smallertature and place a lead weight in the storage area of the buttstock.
This will bring the rifle up to 11 pounds or more depending on the weight of the scope, mount,s and bi-pod and make for a very stable bench rested or prone position shooting rifle. HTH
redneck2
Member
I shot this..
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e283/Indianaoutdoorsman/Gunpix-1.jpg
With this...http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e283/Indianaoutdoorsman/Gunpix013.jpg
To me, varmint shooting is about blasting itty, bitty critters at long range. Bushmaster Varminter 24"
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e283/Indianaoutdoorsman/Gunpix-1.jpg
With this...http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e283/Indianaoutdoorsman/Gunpix013.jpg
To me, varmint shooting is about blasting itty, bitty critters at long range. Bushmaster Varminter 24"
i like the idea of the longer bbl as a matter of physics. L longer bbl will take longer to heat, and cool faster. I also like the idea of adding perhaps 200 fps at the muzzle, maybe more. if using also a huge scope, then if taking the long shot, with the added weight, you may see impact through the scope.
BusMaster007
Member
I have a 9 twist 26" Hart on my Bushmaster lower, and i've gotten out to about 500 yds. with the 69 Nosler Comp. on pr. dogs/coyotes using a Burris FFII 4.5-14X Ball. Plex reticle/turrets. It's an Insight Shooting Systems AR, and here's a link to his sight--
www.insightshootingsystemsinc.com
www.insightshootingsystemsinc.com
I use a 26in 7 twist White Oak. Rifle weighs in at 14 lbs including a 3-1/2 lb buttstock weight.
3050fps with a 75g A-Max will turn P-Dogs into "Red Mist" at 500yds.
IMHO fast is very good.
3050fps with a 75g A-Max will turn P-Dogs into "Red Mist" at 500yds.
IMHO fast is very good.
my life seems to revolve around varminting. itty bitty targets at long range is my thing. my off-the-rack ar-15 and my custom ar-15 prairie dog rifles are both shorter - 18". short barrels are stiffer.
mrmeval
Member
I might matter a bit but damn is the 24" pig heavy. Mine's a bull barrel and you do not want to shoot it free hand if at all possible and you really don't want to have to carry it much. It's fine from a bench or from some sort of rest, monopod, etc. Just buy a really good, known to be fabulous 20" varmint barrel and you should be set. 
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20 inch vmatch
Ended up going with the 20" v-match from bushaster for the upper. Now I just have to figure whic optic to mount?
Ended up going with the 20" v-match from bushaster for the upper. Now I just have to figure whic optic to mount?
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