Which Barrel Length for Woolmarket and Poplarville 3 gun matches?

[chbrow10]

I am about to undertake an AR build for my 10 year old son. He is big for 10, but not huge. I want to build it with the local 3 Gun matches in mind, which are Poplarville and Woolmarket. I believe that the longest distance those matches shoot at is 400 yards.

I am concerned about the weight and manueverability of the rifle. Like I said, he's big, but still prefers to shoot his 22LR from a rest. He is growing, but I have an older son (12) who will also shoot the rifle and a younger daughter (6) coming up as well.

What barrel length do y'all recommend and why? 16 and 20 inch are about the same price, with the 18 inchers at about a 200-300 premium, and the 18 inchers have limited availability.

Folks who compete with 16" rifles, do you ever find yourself wanting a 20" Vice versa for 20" competitors.

Other uses for the gun will be nutria hunting and plinking/target shooting.

Thanks for your time.

 

[kz45]

I would get a 18" light contour barrel, 1-8 twist, thats the best all around barrel,

 

[HiCapMag]

Gotta disagree with o-b-won kz45. At the ranges of these matches barrel length (velocity) won't matter, so I would build as light as possible for the kids. 16 inch'er will do fine, but go mid length gas for sure and as light a profile as possible... Muzzle break will be very important.... Highly recommend a JP. JPShootah does just fine with a 16

 

[Zero.40]

i would go with kz45 said. your kids should be able to handle it just fine. also with an 18 you do not have to worry about ok he has out grown the 16 now lets move up to an 18 b/c he will all ready be there. i would rather grow into a gun than out grow a gun.

 

[dockbox]

An 18 inch barrel with a rifle length gas system will be the softest shooting rifle. The 18 will have greater muzzle velocity than a 16 and therefore shoot flatter, needing less holdover at distance. Softer shooting means faster follow up shots and you can get away with a lighter, smaller brake at the end of the gun where weight is magnified.

 

[FishingFool]

I'm switching over to a 18" Larue Predatar, which has a 18" light weight SS barrel 1/8 twist setup.

Also the most important mod, IN MY OPINION, on any ar15 is to install an ambi safety to help get the gun back on SAFE when not shooting. Get them used to using it.

 

[chbrow10]

If I go with the 18", what length gas system (mid or rifle) do y'all recommend and why?

 

[dockbox]

Rifle. Shorter dwell time equals less gas pressure equals softer recoil impulse. Reliability is not an issue. I actually run a 17 inch barrel with a rifle length gas system with no reliability issues.

 

[zombiekiller]

I beleive Hale has a 16 year old and up requirement on his woolmarket 3 gun match.

 

[chbrow10]

zombiekiller,

Good to know. I wonder if Buzzworm does? This could make us go 20" for now and go to the 18 later....

Chris