5.56/223 Questions

[MrDig]

This is more of a ballistics question than anything but here goes,
Do you think that a 24 inch barrel provides better accuracy than a 22 inch barrel given the limitations of the round?
These statistics are from the Federal Ballistics program and are tested with a 24 inch Barrel
At a 200 yard zero the bullet drops over 4 feet at 500 yards and drifts close to 3 feet.
Does the extra 2 inches in barrel length provide that much change in those statistics?
I'm asking because I'm looking into buying a 5.56/223 Bolt gun and wonder if the extra cost in the barrel length is worth it or if the 22 inch Barrel would suffice.

 

[rcmodel]

IMO: No.

That extra 2" of barrel will give you about 60 FPS more velocity at most in a .223.
You could never tell the difference at 500 yards.
Were it an over-bore Magnum cartridge, a 26" would be better, but it isn't.

NRA National Trophy Infantry Team matches are shot with stock M-16/AR-15's with 20" barrels.
Out to 600 yards.
The Army's SDM-R sniper rifle uses 20" barrel.

As far as accuracy?
Many feel a shorter stiffer barrel is capable of better accuracy then a long barrel of the same weight.

rc

 

[everallm]

Length of barrel does not denote in itself accuracy, in fact depending on barrel harmonics you may decrease accuracy with a longer barrel. All a longer barrel will give you is a minor increase in muzzle velocity per barrel inch increase up to a point.

If for barrel length X you know the muzzle velocity is N which you correct for then it adds no accuracy if for barrel length X+2 and you know muzzle velocity is N+70 and you still correct for it.

Unless you're going for La Palma at 1000 yards using 32" barrels I wouldn't worry about it

 

[browningguy]

Get the one that balances best for you, as mentioned, except for long range shooting where you want all the velocity you can get it really makes no difference to accuracy.

Well actually it does, for any given diameter a shorter barrel will have higher axial stiffness and be potentially more accurate. Just look at what the 100 yard benchrest guys win with, not a 30" barrel among them.