AR upper 16" vs 20"??

[Kingcreek]

I want to get a varmint upper with heavy barrel (stainless) for my AR. I like the feel/balance of the short but heavy 16". I will be scoping the flat top upper and using it for plinking and for coyote and groundhog here on the farm.

Questions:
16" vs 20" accuracy?
velocity ? how much would I sacrifice with the 16"
is fluted barrel worth another $40-50?
(I'll keep the 20" A2 just in case I ever want to shoot highpower with it)

Thanks for your expert opinions!

 

[ny32182]

Might want to consider one of the longer than 20" stainless steel barrels with A3 upper for your intended use.

I know bushmaster makes a stainless steel 20" (and longer), but not sure about 16". You also might want to check and see if the profiles are the same... I'm not sure they are.

You give up about 150 fps going from a 20 to a 16. Accuracy through optics should be about the same, although the drop compensation will increase at longer range with a 16"

 

[Kingcreek]

Thanks.
I can get a 24" for same $ as 16 or 20 but thats a little more to lug around when I'm chasing the coyotes.
Maybe 20" is the best all-around compromise? Fluted would get the weight down a little bit. Just looking for a flat-top that is accurate and handy. Don't need a really heavy, long range, prairie dog type rifle.

 

[ny32182]

Well, a 16 or 20" flat top would probably fit you best then. As to the fluting, I have no experience with it... can't comment.

If you are not looking for long range match accuracy, a standard 5.56mm chamber w/ chrome lined bore/chamber would most likely do just fine and would be more durable and easier to clean. The mil-spec barrels are pretty accurate in their own right.