DPMS LoPro vs. Sweet 16

[texas chase]

Title says it all. I'm just looking for opinions. The major differences I see are the Sweet 16 has the stainless barrel and its free floated. But if both barrels are "bull barrels", how much can you really "bend" them with a sling. (A 16" bull barrel seems pretty stiff to me.)

I would be using this rifle for IPSC, IDPA, plinking, etc. I'm not looking to be a serious competitor - just want to enjoy shooting.

Thanks for the input.

 

[JimKirk]

On the Sweet 16 the sling mount is on the free float tube not on the barrel itself. If you can bend the barrel you must be Superman.

Jimmy K

 

[texas chase]

Jimmy,

Sorry, let me clear up what I meant. On the LoPro (or any rifle for that matter), if you have a 16" bull barrel - can you really bend that? Short thick barrel = very stiff. People point out that the Sweet 16 is free-floated and therefore more accurate due to no bend, etc.

I'm just doubting the idea that you can bend a barrel of this type with a forend and sling.

 

[JimKirk]

Tex,
I think that you could bend however slightly a 26" or 24" thin barrel with a barrel sling. The only barrel mounted sling mounts I've seen have been on some old guns and large African rifles. I think it being said that the shorter a barrel, the stiffer it becomes. When you increase the diameter that also increases stiffness.
May be I misread what you were saying, sorry

Jk
*Sweet 16 barrel is right at 1" in diameter, .224 hole looks real small in the end ... of course that is with bolt and carrier out and off lower!

 

[texas chase]

Jimmy,

We're on the same page now.

 

[jpwilly]

Barrels are free floated for harmonics just as much as to be free of varying pressure points. It's not that your going to bend that bull bbl much but if you apply different pressure from shot to shot your groups will open up.

 

[texas chase]

Thanks JPWilly. I had thought about harmonics but again, wasn't quite sure about how much effect they would have on such a short stiff barrel.