Range Report AI AE .308 - 18" or 20" barrel for suppressed use?

[DarinR]

I am going back and forth between 18" and 20" for the barrel length of this Accuracy International AE MKII gun.

The barrel will be threaded 5/8x24 and run either my Cyclone or a 300 SD when they become available. With a 18" barrel this setup with either can will give me about a 27" total barrel length with suppressor and a 29" total barrel length with the 20" barrel.

I would automatically pick 18" for the length but then I consider the powder burn rate and wonder if there is much difference between 18" and 20" and also if this possible powder burn difference could have a noticeable noise difference to my ear (using the suppressor).

I will probably shoot 155 Scenars the most if the barrel likes them with Varget.

I would appreciate any experiences or thoughts you would like to share.

Thanks,
Darin

 

[teknikallysekure]

Re: AI AE .308 - 18" or 20" barrel for suppressed use?

2 inches is a nice gain, but I'd be troubled for MV at that length just enough to want the extra 2.

Really a personal call though. Plenty of talented riflemen making small targets into swiss cheese with 18 inch rifles from a long ways away.

 

[DarinR]

Re: AI AE .308 - 18" or 20" barrel for suppressed use?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COURAGEWOLF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2 inches is a nice gain, but I'd be troubled for MV at that length just enough to want the extra 2.

Really a personal call though. Plenty of talented riflemen making small targets into swiss cheese with 18 inch rifles from a long ways away. </div></div>

CourageWolf,

Absolute velocity has never been that high a priority for me because the distances I usually shoot don't require anything maxed. I think about 700 yards would be the farther I would be shooting this and mostly less than 500 yards. For this application, I am more concerned about portability, accuracy and noise.

Thanks,
Darin

 

[teknikallysekure]

Re: AI AE .308 - 18" or 20" barrel for suppressed use?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DarinR</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COURAGEWOLF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2 inches is a nice gain, but I'd be troubled for MV at that length just enough to want the extra 2.

Really a personal call though. Plenty of talented riflemen making small targets into swiss cheese with 18 inch rifles from a long ways away. </div></div>

CourageWolf,

Absolute velocity has never been that high a priority for me because the distances I usually shoot don't require anything maxed. I think about 700 yards would be the farther I would be shooting this and mostly less than 500 yards. For this application, I am more concerned about portability, accuracy and noise.

Thanks,
Darin </div></div>

In that case you're likely to lose nothing from an 18 inch barrel. The AI's seem to be really load tolerant anyways so you'll probably be really happy with either. Just be sure to post some glamour shots once you get it

An 18 inch will definitely satisfy your shooting needs while meeting most of your priorities there just fine.

 

[DarinR]

Re: AI AE .308 - 18" or 20" barrel for suppressed use?

Thanks CourageWolf.

Darin