Help me decide!

[MattyT]

Ok everybody,
I currently have a few standard 16" ar's and just recently bought another lower. I want to build something different but still in 5.56/223. I cannot decide between a light weight 16", an 18" SPRish type, or 20" designated longer range precision/hunting rifle. It will be mainly just a general use/plinking/hunting platform. My current rifles weight around 6.5-7lbs so I'm unsure if a lightweight would be enough difference to justify. I don't shoot any longer than 300 yards, but love the looks of SPR/DMR rifles.
Any help is appreciated!

 

[bannockburn]

MattyT

20" designated longer range precision/hunting rifle.

This is what I would do as I already have a lightweight 16" XM177E2 style carbine and a Colt SP1 which I use out to 200 yards with the iron sights. If I were going a bit further out, like 300 yards+, I would want a dedicated long range upper with a scope; so something like an SPR/DMR would fit the bill quite nicely.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

Id also lean toward a long range build.

 

[joem1945]

Build a 24" bull barrel 1/8 twist. Once you figure out a load it can be a tack driver.

 

[Jackal]

The 18" isnt ballistically different enough from a 16" to really bother with. 3 barrel lengths make the most sense to me: 10.5" for a designated short range gun, 16" for an all around carbine and a 20" for a rifle. Any shorter and it loses too much power and any longer, it turn into a stationary target gun. I'm currently putting together a lightweight, billet 20" side charging rifle to go with my AR pistol and 16" carbine.