AR barrel profiles...

[SSN Vet]

When looking to set up an AR for longer range target shooting with optics, what are the considerations for barrel profile...

Bull, Varmint, Heavy, SPR

Though this rifle will not be carried around in the field... how much advantage do the Bull and Varmint profile barrels really give?

Also, what is it about stainless steel that makes it so desirable for the heavier target use barrels?

Thanks in advance

 

[taliv]

the heavier the better. more mass = more stability and less recoil and slower to get hot

 

[SSN Vet]

So does stability refer to barrel harmonics?

Do you think there is more improvement per pound when you go from HBAR to Varmit? or from Varmit to Bull?

I'm guess I'm not to worried about recoil being an issue.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I like a nice mid profile. Heavy enough to have good harmonics and heat dissipation, light enough to lug around without feeling the burn.

 

[back40]

i'd agree with taliv. if you aren't carrying the rifle, the heavier the better.

 

[taliv]

No not harmonics (though you could make that argument too. )

I mean stability as in a big hunk of weight settling into your bag and not moving around as much. Same reason high power shooters fill their stocks and forearms with lead

 

[Welding Rod]

With the AR the biggest difference I have seen is from light weight to HBAR. I have or had 7 or 8 light weight or gov profile barrels, at least 4 HBARS (3 stainless), and at least 3 varmit barrels (all stainless). I lost track of the exact number over the years.

With the LWs I have generally shot about 1.2 - 2 MOA, the HBARS .6 - .75 MOA, and the varmits .4 - .75 MOA.

One of the things I have noticed is my heavier barrels generally experice less change in POI from load to load, some times substantially less.