I have a MaTen receiver set coming and I am unsure which barrel I want. Want long range performance. I had a DPMS 24" Bull on my last .308. I want a somewhat lighter (less heavy) gun this time. Consequently, I am looking for a midweight for this gun. Like to hear form those that have built something like this before.
22" or 24" Mid Weight for MaTen build?
- Thread starter geraldsd
- Start date
Re: 22" or 24" Mid Weight for MaTen build?
Two inches will squeeze a little more velocity, but not enough to fuss about in my opinion. Find a good deal on a quality barrel and go for it.
Two inches will squeeze a little more velocity, but not enough to fuss about in my opinion. Find a good deal on a quality barrel and go for it.
Re: 22" or 24" Mid Weight for MaTen build?
Find a GOOD quality 20", you will be MORE then FINE with that setup.
Find a GOOD quality 20", you will be MORE then FINE with that setup.
Re: 22" or 24" Mid Weight for MaTen build?
Assuming that we're talking about .308, you're not really going to find much performance benefit with a longer barrel in the 22-24" range, that you could not get in the 18" (+/- 2") range. 16" and 18" gas guns are laying down .5 MOA groups at a grand without a problem. If you do some searching on this forum, you'll see a slough of information about the efficacy of the 16-20" barrel range for .308s. When you consider that M118LR ammunition varies by ~75fps between a 16" and 20" barrel, it really doesn't make a lot of sense to throw all that added weight onto the rifle for such little payoff.
Check out this link and scroll down:
http://www.m4carbine.net/archive/index.php/t-58669.html
Notice that the difference between the 168gr out of a 24" is only around 150fps faster than out of a 16" barrel. I think this offers good reasoning to look at an 18-20" setup so that you can be in the middle of the weight vs velocity juxtaposition.
Assuming that we're talking about .308, you're not really going to find much performance benefit with a longer barrel in the 22-24" range, that you could not get in the 18" (+/- 2") range. 16" and 18" gas guns are laying down .5 MOA groups at a grand without a problem. If you do some searching on this forum, you'll see a slough of information about the efficacy of the 16-20" barrel range for .308s. When you consider that M118LR ammunition varies by ~75fps between a 16" and 20" barrel, it really doesn't make a lot of sense to throw all that added weight onto the rifle for such little payoff.
Check out this link and scroll down:
http://www.m4carbine.net/archive/index.php/t-58669.html
Notice that the difference between the 168gr out of a 24" is only around 150fps faster than out of a 16" barrel. I think this offers good reasoning to look at an 18-20" setup so that you can be in the middle of the weight vs velocity juxtaposition.
Re: 22" or 24" Mid Weight for MaTen build?
Thanks for the info. I will be looking for the 20". Any thought on a brake?
Thanks for the info. I will be looking for the 20". Any thought on a brake?
Re: 22" or 24" Mid Weight for MaTen build?
JP brake?
Also I agree with the people saying 20". You should be able to come up with a load in that barrel length that is supersonic at 1k with a little experimentation.
JP brake?
Also I agree with the people saying 20". You should be able to come up with a load in that barrel length that is supersonic at 1k with a little experimentation.
Re: 22" or 24" Mid Weight for MaTen build?
Is there a point where the curve for velocity hits it's optimum use of barrel length for the cartridge?
Under a certain length, most powder will burn in the air, and not generate more velocity with a short barrel. On the other hand, if the barrel is too long, it is possible (though unlikely with large rifle cartridges) that most of the powder's power has been expended, and the bullet is dragging by being swaged through the bore.
Has anyone posted anything showing a "node" where the most velocity per inch of barrel length is obtained? I would presume that the military did something similar to that before ending up with a 20 inch barrel for the semi-auto precision rifle system that they use.
Is there a point where the curve for velocity hits it's optimum use of barrel length for the cartridge?
Under a certain length, most powder will burn in the air, and not generate more velocity with a short barrel. On the other hand, if the barrel is too long, it is possible (though unlikely with large rifle cartridges) that most of the powder's power has been expended, and the bullet is dragging by being swaged through the bore.
Has anyone posted anything showing a "node" where the most velocity per inch of barrel length is obtained? I would presume that the military did something similar to that before ending up with a 20 inch barrel for the semi-auto precision rifle system that they use.
Re: 22" or 24" Mid Weight for MaTen build?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Unknown</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is there a point where the curve for velocity hits it's optimum use of barrel length for the cartridge?
</div></div>
No.
You pick your barrel length based on how much velocity you want vs. how much barrel you are willing to tote around.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Unknown</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is there a point where the curve for velocity hits it's optimum use of barrel length for the cartridge?
</div></div>
No.
You pick your barrel length based on how much velocity you want vs. how much barrel you are willing to tote around.
Re: 22" or 24" Mid Weight for MaTen build?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: geraldsd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the info. I will be looking for the 20". Any thought on a brake?</div></div>
I would recommend a Surefire MB762-211C. Great brakes and high quality. There are other companies like AAC that also make great brakes if that is where you want to go. There are several great options. I'm just partial to SureFire.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: geraldsd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the info. I will be looking for the 20". Any thought on a brake?</div></div>
I would recommend a Surefire MB762-211C. Great brakes and high quality. There are other companies like AAC that also make great brakes if that is where you want to go. There are several great options. I'm just partial to SureFire.
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