Guns & Outdoors Forum

My son is wanting to build an AR 10. It’s for punching paper at distance. Probably up to 700ish yards or so.

Is there a big difference between 18” & 20” barrels? Factory ammo btw.

Never mind. He just ordered an 18” upper. Says it was too cheap to pass up. Idk what he ordered or from where

I was shooting 800yrds with a 20” .308 (bolt gun) yesterday and today. Shooting 8” steel.

20" seems to work fairly well for consuming and making use of a .308's powder charge. Certainly by 16", they get REALLY blasty - a lot of energy going to waste.

It's a little late now since he ordered one already, but this is interesting for science purposes:

https://rifleshooter.com/2014/12/308-wi ... 8-to-16-5/

Thanks for your replies. I forwarded that article to him

Rugerfan wrote: ↑Sat Aug 12, 2023 1:44 pm Thanks for your replies. I forwarded that article to him

Rifle Shooter has a whole series where they cut down various cartridges from 26-28 down to 16 or so in 1" increments and record the results. I've found them very useful for a few cartridges.

shotgunshooter3 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 12, 2023 12:55 pm It's a little late now since he ordered one already, but this is interesting for science purposes:

https://rifleshooter.com/2014/12/308-wi ... 8-to-16-5/

Interesting article

I was just researching the same topic for an AR10 build and had settled on 20in minimum. Expected range was 300.

Since the barrel has been ordered the ONLY possible solution is to build two rifles. The first with the short barrel can serve as the prototype. Then the long barrel version can get the upgraded gas check, grip, bolt, high end stock, a top end scope.

I’m really trying to get my enabler merit badge

Lol!!

He’s got a baby coming in November. His gun buying days are over for a while.

The author kept going with that barrel down to 6"

https://rifleshooter.com/2016/02/308-wi ... -bolt-gun/

I thought it wasn’t the length, but how you use it.

I’ve done very well with a short barrel.
2 kids.
And a lifetime supply of deer, pigs, and varmints.
16” works well.