Another Question - - Barrel Length

[pntbllr228]

I recently bought a RRA Varmint Ar-15 with a 24" stainless bull bbl. I find the gun to be a little long and was thinking about cutting it down to a shorter length like 20" or so.

1. Will I lose accuracy or velocity?

2. If so, how much?

3. Are there any other advantages to having a longer bbl that I might not be thinking of? Any advantages to a shorter bbl?

I know I have alot of questions, but I know you guys have the answers. Thanks.

Here is a link to a picture of the gun. It isnt shown in the 24" model.

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=228

 

[Swampy]

Why not just buy a shorter barrel..

You would have to cut that barrel then have it recrowned.. For the price.. You might be better off buying a barrel..

Get a 16 and keep your 24 then you have the best of both worlds...

 

[CZowner07]

Wouldnt that mess up the barrel b/c it is rifled? cutting a barrel on a shottgun isn't a problem b/c it isnt rifled. Correct me if im wrong.

 

[Swampy]

not really. rifling is spiraled in the barrel.. So cutting it will only give you less length but not really less turn.. But if you dont get the crown right it will suck.. And how are you gonna put a flash hider on...

http://rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=272

 

[pntbllr228]

My bad, I forgot to mention it is a 24" stainless bull barrel. Another barrel would be hard to find and expensive I would think.

It doesnt have a flash hider right now anyway.

 

[Swampy]

See link in my above post.

 

[BEAU]

1/12 or 1/8 ?? if it's a 1/12, i wouldnt forget to mention that since they dont do a 1/12 in the 20" directly from RRA

 

[pntbllr228]

1/12 or 1/8 ?? if it's a 1/12, i wouldnt forget to mention that since they dont do a 1/12 in the 20" directly from RRA

Its a 1/8

 

[103M 95G]

How does it shoot? 1/8 SS?

ETA: I think the formula is either ~100fps or is it ~50fps loss per 1" removed, I can't remember right now

 

[derf]

Find someone who wants to trade.
That 24" probably costs more than what you want so it shouldn't be too hard to find someone who wants a 24" HB.

 

[whbonney26]

I think the 20" is perfect. You dont loose enough velocity to really make a difference. Not for the distances you will be shooting with an AR.

I do agree with above though.....unless you know someone who can do the work cheap and good you may be better off just getting a new barrel and putting that on.

 

[dzelenka]

You will lose 25 - 50 fps per inch removed. With a scope you should not lose any accuracy (you may pick up some because the barrel will be stiffer). If you want to use it to shoot in the 600 yd matches, you might want to keep the 24" because of the velocity advantage.

rjenkins on this board could do the work.

Dan

 

[Swampy]

If you are set on cutting I think Derf can do it to. But I guess he might be the one to
Tell you that.

 

[pntbllr228]

I can have it cut for free. Im not worried about that. I just wanted to know if it is a bad idea to cut it. Thanks guys.

 

[dzelenka]

Personal preference.

 

[Bearco]

I bet you could find someone on arfcom or here to trade you for a 16/18/20 (if you did not want to mess w/ cutting it)

 

[LACamper]

I know on .30 cal rifles it averages about 50 fps per inch, so again, not enough to get excited about.
Some bench rest guys used to fine tune their accuracy by taking off 1/8" slices of the barrel and recrowning each time. Eventually you get the barrel harmonics just right to get a slight improvement in accuracy. I guess that's similar to the BOSS systems on the Brownings...