16" or 20" barrel

JB-NY · 06-21-2008, 11:34 AM

I am buying my first M4/AR15 and have come across a sticking point.
I was already to buy a bushy POST BAN (I live in NY) my local FFL suggested that I get a bush varminter 20" barrel, that it is essentially the same gun with 4" longer barrel. His reasoning was that it would be more accurate target shooting and varmint irradication (which is what I would be using it for.)
My question is, how much more accurate could it be at 100-300 meters
I am, at best, an average shot. Will a longer barrel improve my shooting?
any feedback would be greatly appreciated. also any issues with the bushy four rail forend, I think it looks sweet but is there any drop off in performance or durability?

thanks,

jb

Darkfront · 06-21-2008, 05:41 PM

A longer barrel will not necessarily improve the inherent accuracy of the rifle, but it will help slightly by increasing the bullet's speed over the 16" barrel. Higher bullet speeds = flatter trajectory which will help if you make range estimation errors, especially in the 100-300 yd ranges on varmints.

If you're getting a quad-rail, you might want to look at a free floated version since you're going to be varminting. Accessories or pressure on a non-free floated barrel can inconsistently change barrel harmonics if you're looking for supreme accuracy.

As far as I know, there aren't really any durability issues with Bushmaster stuff. I don't own one, but my experiences with Bushy has been very positive.

Last thing you might want to consider is a nice two stage trigger. That always helps your shooting.

Pred · 06-21-2008, 07:46 PM

If your shooting with open sights, the longer barrel will give you an extended sight radius. However, out to 300 yards your not going to notice any difference accuracy wise between a 16" and 20" barrel. And actually, out to probably 500-600 yards the only thing you might notice is having to compensate for bullet drop. If your staying within 300 yards, honestly an M4 profile barrel with good optics is still plenty capable of head shots. Within that distance, you really don't need to get to fancy.

nathangdad · 06-21-2008, 08:46 PM

I would go with the longer barrel preferably in a target/varmit quality.

Pred · 06-21-2008, 09:00 PM

Within 300 yards, doesn't really matter.

JB-NY · 06-22-2008, 06:49 PM

I appreciate the feedback.
One concern is that most post ban M4 type bushmasters, that I have seen on the internet, have a 14.5" barrel with something called an Izzy to make up the 1.5" difference (for legalities in NY) The only model I found with a true 16" barrel is over $300 more. Is this worth it?

Pred, you say good optics. Can I get a good optics for $300. I was thinking Bushnell Elite 4200 series 3-9*40 but that would have been on a 20" is that a good choice for a 16" barrel?

Again, I appreciate all the feedback.

JB

YugoM59/66 · 06-22-2008, 07:36 PM

since our armory is kind of understocked i had to qual with my M4. i hit black every shot but one at the 500 yd line so i am a firm believer that the 4 inches does not make that big of a difference. now i'm not really too big into squirrel hunting so i couldnt tell you in that aspect. i mean yeah the longer the barrel the more velocity and blah blah blah...but come on, your shooting squirrels. plus the m4's look nasty

JB-NY · 06-22-2008, 08:44 PM

M4's do look awesome.
Yugo, what kind of optics/scope did you use?
I use a pellet gun for squirrels...couldn't afford to use 223 rounds on those rats with tails.

stitchclimber · 06-22-2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB-NY

I appreciate the feedback.
One concern is that most post ban M4 type bushmasters, that I have seen on the internet, have a 14.5" barrel with something called an Izzy to make up the 1.5" difference (for legalities in NY) .
JB

It's not just a NY law. All rifle barrels need to be 16" by US law. the 1.5" flash suppressor is permanently attached to make it legal.

Pred · 06-23-2008, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB-NY

I appreciate the feedback.
One concern is that most post ban M4 type bushmasters, that I have seen on the internet, have a 14.5" barrel with something called an Izzy to make up the 1.5" difference (for legalities in NY) The only model I found with a true 16" barrel is over $300 more. Is this worth it?

Pred, you say good optics. Can I get a good optics for $300. I was thinking Bushnell Elite 4200 series 3-9*40 but that would have been on a 20" is that a good choice for a 16" barrel?

Again, I appreciate all the feedback.

JB

That 14.5" barrel with a permanently attached flash hider will serve you just as well as a 20" barrel would out to 300 yards. And as someone said, probably more like 500-600 yards with really good optics(for hunting purposes). Bushnell makes some decent mid range optics. I've got a 3-9x40 mildot Trophy series on a G3 thats held up very well. Supersniper also makes some REALLY good scopes that are around 300 bucks. However they only come in a 10x, 16x and 20x(I think thats right).

mwatson · 06-23-2008, 08:18 AM

I shoot a Bushmaster Dissipator, it has a 16" barrel and it does just fine. If I need to shoot beyond 300 yards I hope my stalking talents will get me closer. I have the A-3 setup and the gun can shoot better than I can.
Good luck.
Mike

RMTactical · 06-24-2008, 11:39 PM

You won't see a big difference in accuracy between the two.

As a home defense weapon, I think the 16" is far superior. For range or target work, it shouldn't matter.

SilentSoul · 06-25-2008, 01:22 PM

I read that with a 14.5 inch barrel the bullet never truly gets up to the needed FPS to do its thing when hitting a soft target (terminal ballistics). With a 16 inch barrel you get the necessary speed for the bullet to fragment and do what it was intended for. Not for varmints this probably does not matter, but why not get the REAL 16 inch barrel and not worry about it.

06-21-2008, 11:34 AM	#1
JB-NY Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 54	16" or 20" barrel I am buying my first M4/AR15 and have come across a sticking point. I was already to buy a bushy POST BAN (I live in NY) my local FFL suggested that I get a bush varminter 20" barrel, that it is essentially the same gun with 4" longer barrel. His reasoning was that it would be more accurate target shooting and varmint irradication (which is what I would be using it for.) My question is, how much more accurate could it be at 100-300 meters I am, at best, an average shot. Will a longer barrel improve my shooting? any feedback would be greatly appreciated. also any issues with the bushy four rail forend, I think it looks sweet but is there any drop off in performance or durability? thanks, jb

06-21-2008, 08:46 PM	#4
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,475	Personally, . . . I would go with the longer barrel preferably in a target/varmit quality.

06-22-2008, 07:36 PM	#7
YugoM59/66 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 139	since our armory is kind of understocked i had to qual with my M4. i hit black every shot but one at the 500 yd line so i am a firm believer that the 4 inches does not make that big of a difference. now i'm not really too big into squirrel hunting so i couldnt tell you in that aspect. i mean yeah the longer the barrel the more velocity and blah blah blah...but come on, your shooting squirrels. plus the m4's look nasty __________________ "Freedom is not free, but the U.S. Marine Corps will pay most of your share." Ned Dolan

06-23-2008, 08:18 AM	#11
mwatson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rogers, Arkansas Posts: 236	I shoot a Bushmaster Dissipator, it has a 16" barrel and it does just fine. If I need to shoot beyond 300 yards I hope my stalking talents will get me closer. I have the A-3 setup and the gun can shoot better than I can. Good luck. Mike __________________ ..............................HOWDY

06-21-2008, 05:41 PM	#2
Darkfront Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 162	A longer barrel will not necessarily improve the inherent accuracy of the rifle, but it will help slightly by increasing the bullet's speed over the 16" barrel. Higher bullet speeds = flatter trajectory which will help if you make range estimation errors, especially in the 100-300 yd ranges on varmints. If you're getting a quad-rail, you might want to look at a free floated version since you're going to be varminting. Accessories or pressure on a non-free floated barrel can inconsistently change barrel harmonics if you're looking for supreme accuracy. As far as I know, there aren't really any durability issues with Bushmaster stuff. I don't own one, but my experiences with Bushy has been very positive. Last thing you might want to consider is a nice two stage trigger. That always helps your shooting.

06-21-2008, 07:46 PM	#3
Pred Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,873 Blog Entries: 3	If your shooting with open sights, the longer barrel will give you an extended sight radius. However, out to 300 yards your not going to notice any difference accuracy wise between a 16" and 20" barrel. And actually, out to probably 500-600 yards the only thing you might notice is having to compensate for bullet drop. If your staying within 300 yards, honestly an M4 profile barrel with good optics is still plenty capable of head shots. Within that distance, you really don't need to get to fancy.

06-21-2008, 09:00 PM	#5
Pred Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,873 Blog Entries: 3	Within 300 yards, doesn't really matter.

06-22-2008, 06:49 PM	#6
JB-NY Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 54	I appreciate the feedback. One concern is that most post ban M4 type bushmasters, that I have seen on the internet, have a 14.5" barrel with something called an Izzy to make up the 1.5" difference (for legalities in NY) The only model I found with a true 16" barrel is over $300 more. Is this worth it? Pred, you say good optics. Can I get a good optics for $300. I was thinking Bushnell Elite 4200 series 3-9*40 but that would have been on a 20" is that a good choice for a 16" barrel? Again, I appreciate all the feedback. JB

06-22-2008, 08:44 PM	#8
JB-NY Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 54	M4's do look awesome. Yugo, what kind of optics/scope did you use? I use a pellet gun for squirrels...couldn't afford to use 223 rounds on those rats with tails.

06-24-2008, 11:39 PM	#12
RMTactical Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rocky Mountains Posts: 173	You won't see a big difference in accuracy between the two. As a home defense weapon, I think the 16" is far superior. For range or target work, it shouldn't matter.

06-25-2008, 01:22 PM	#13
SilentSoul Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 603 Images: 1	I read that with a 14.5 inch barrel the bullet never truly gets up to the needed FPS to do its thing when hitting a soft target (terminal ballistics). With a 16 inch barrel you get the necessary speed for the bullet to fragment and do what it was intended for. Not for varmints this probably does not matter, but why not get the REAL 16 inch barrel and not worry about it.