Mike9250 Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Is an 18" barrel still the way to go, or are 16" barrels starting to become the norm? Do people mainly run an 18" just for the rifle length gas system, or do the extra 2" of barrel really help that much? I'm going to re-barrel one of my rifles and I'm trying to decide what is the best compromise between weight, accuracy, gas system length, balance, etc. Would also like to hear some opinions on barrel profiles. Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtm Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 20" barrel, .750 from just in front of the chamber all the way out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonytheTiger Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 I agree with Kurt's profile choice. I can't help but think his preferred length is skewed by the fact that he runs real irons like a boss. I'll recommend the Stretch16 barrel, gas system feels equal to a rifle length (to me), it has Kurt's favorite profile, accurate and I don't feel the slight velocity you gain from 2" of barrel helps at all at 3 gun distances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moltke Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 (edited) If the barrel and ammo shoots well then take the time to chrono your load so you really understand the ballistics. Know your long range holdovers and how to use your reticle, and barrel length won't matter. Rifle gas or mid length also won't matter much if you've got a nice brake and adjustable gas system. It's really all up to you, what do you want to shoot? Edited March 29, 2016 by Moltke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskapopo Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Is an 18" barrel still the way to go, or are 16" barrels starting to become the norm? Do people mainly run an 18" just for the rifle length gas system, or do the extra 2" of barrel really help that much? I'm going to re-barrel one of my rifles and I'm trying to decide what is the best compromise between weight, accuracy, gas system length, balance, etc. Would also like to hear some opinions on barrel profiles. Thanks in advance I am liking my Stretch 16 build. Nothing wrong with the long barrels just don't think they are needed for this game. You only gain a touch of velocity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
optimator Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 This thread is relevant to my interests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike9250 Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 Thanks for the replies. This build is currently set up for limited, and it has a Vortex Spitfire on it. Though it may get a magnified optic in the future. Max distance for matches around here is about 400, though 220-300 is more common for my monthly local match. I currently have a LW stainless barrel, but it doesn't seem to do well accuracy-wise when hot. I have an Odin 18" intermediate gas and a Rainier 16" mid gas to pick from to replace it. I like the looks of the Stretch, but was trying to stick with a $250-ish budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubOrbital Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 Is an 18" barrel still the way to go, or are 16" barrels starting to become the norm? Do people mainly run an 18" just for the rifle length gas system, or do the extra 2" of barrel really help that much? I'm going to re-barrel one of my rifles and I'm trying to decide what is the best compromise between weight, accuracy, gas system length, balance, etc. Would also like to hear some opinions on barrel profiles. Thanks in advance I am liking my Stretch 16 build. Nothing wrong with the long barrels just don't think they are needed for this game. You only gain a touch of velocity. The trend is towards shorter barrels at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskapopo Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Is an 18" barrel still the way to go, or are 16" barrels starting to become the norm? Do people mainly run an 18" just for the rifle length gas system, or do the extra 2" of barrel really help that much? I'm going to re-barrel one of my rifles and I'm trying to decide what is the best compromise between weight, accuracy, gas system length, balance, etc. Would also like to hear some opinions on barrel profiles. Thanks in advance I am liking my Stretch 16 build. Nothing wrong with the long barrels just don't think they are needed for this game. You only gain a touch of velocity. The trend is towards shorter barrels at the moment. True I think 3gun nations type courses had a role in that change. But overall with the advent of the intermediate gas system on a 16 inch barrel the 18 inch barrel is no longer the standard. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubOrbital Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 The trend is towards shorter barrels at the moment.True I think 3gun nations type courses had a role in that change. But overall with the advent of the intermediate gas system on a 16 inch barrel the 18 inch barrel is no longer the standard.Pat That said, I currently run an 18" rifle. Didn't feel like running a semi-proprietary gas system length at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOOM Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 If were to run 16 inch barreled mid-length rifle . Would the same changes still be needed for recoil reduction, adj. gas block, LW bolt carrier, exc., or what ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T Bacus Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 There are many right answers and no perfect one. 16 and 18 are both fine, mid or rifle length gas is fine too. My current setup is a Mega Arms 16" rifle gas & Seekins adjustable gas block combined with a Vltor A5 recoil system and a JP stainless LWBCG and JP comp. My rifles recoil is flat and soft, but there are many other combinations of components that will work just as well. Really, with any decent set of parts it's the shooter not the gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
optimator Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 When it comes to 16" barrels, is the Stretch 16 still the end all for a 16" barrel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daft Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 It all about how far out the target is and the penalty when you miss it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskapopo Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 It all about how far out the target is and the penalty when you miss it. Rather you miss or hit has more to do with skill than barrel length. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
optimator Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 It all about how far out the target is and the penalty when you miss it. Rather you miss or hit has more to do with skill than barrel length. Agreed. I guess my question should have been, "If I'm going to build a new 16" rifle, is the Stretch 16 one of the best 16" barrels available". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 16" Carbine, No. 16" Mid-Length, okay. Stretch16 is the bomb. I would run an 18" rifle gas if i could not run the Stretch16. Soft as an 18", just a tad less velocity, and at least as accurate. One of my fellow Stretch16 shooters had a case separation at SMM3G. The well polished chamber, another round went in, wedged into the front half of the case and he was able to extract it and continue. On most barrels, that stage would have been a much bigger disaster. I have shot my Stretch16s against several 16, 16.5, 17, 18 and 20 inch barrels and while it is a precision barrel, it is a great choice for 3Gunners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbs007 Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 Thanks for the replies. This build is currently set up for limited, and it has a Vortex Spitfire on it. Though it may get a magnified optic in the future. Max distance for matches around here is about 400, though 220-300 is more common for my monthly local match. I currently have a LW stainless barrel, but it doesn't seem to do well accuracy-wise when hot. I have an Odin 18" intermediate gas and a Rainier 16" mid gas to pick from to replace it. I like the looks of the Stretch, but was trying to stick with a $250-ish budget. Rainier has a limited run of lightweight 16" intermediate gas for $299. https://www.rainierarms.com/rainier-arms-223-wylde-barrel-int-16-rock-creek-blank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubOrbital Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 (edited) Stretch16 IMO is unnecessarily heavy for gun games, nor do I feel the cost is worth it for the gains. A lighter profile is my preference. I'm a mediocre to average shooter, so this advice is worth what you paid for it. Edited April 4, 2016 by SubOrbital Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Shoot a Stretch16 and your opinions will change! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtm Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 If they made a stretch 20" barrel I might try one......but they don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
safenate Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I put on a Faxon 18" 3 Gunner barrel a few months ago. It amazes many when they pick it up, very light with 15" Samson Evo FFT. That barrel shoots just over 1 MOA, after a full magazine dump, with bulk ammo. YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonytheTiger Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 If they made a stretch 20" barrel I might try one......but they don't. You can stretch a 16" barrel to 20" Kurt. Just get it hot and pull real hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nheiny13 Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 16" Carbine, No. 16" Mid-Length, okay. Stretch16 is the bomb. I would run an 18" rifle gas if i could not run the Stretch16. Soft as an 18", just a tad less velocity, and at least as accurate. One of my fellow Stretch16 shooters had a case separation at SMM3G. The well polished chamber, another round went in, wedged into the front half of the case and he was able to extract it and continue. On most barrels, that stage would have been a much bigger disaster. I have shot my Stretch16s against several 16, 16.5, 17, 18 and 20 inch barrels and while it is a precision barrel, it is a great choice for 3Gunners. Did that happen to someone else as well our were you talking about me? I had two case separations that I was able to get out by mortaring the rifle and kept going and luckily was able to finish the stage. I have the fluted melonited barrel and I absolutely love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Happened to squadmate Drew Boldt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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