so I got a 7 inch upper for my M16.

[Marines42]

With my M4-2000 it will have a nice integral look along with an overall length that is very compact. My question is: How much is the range affected? I know bullet drop is big at 300 yards for a 10.5 incher. What is a good distance to zero with a 7 inch upper?

[Iraqgunz]

Hopefully you are aware that many companies will not warrantee their suppressors when used with barrels below 10.5"

The 7" is not only on the fringe of reliability, but it's terminal ballistics are greatly reduced. Common knowledge is that the lowest one should go with the 5.56 is 10.3"/10.5".

Hence the evolution of the 300 BLK.


With my M4-2000 it will have a nice integral look along with an overall length that is very compact. My question is: How much is the range affected? I know bullet drop is big at 300 yards for a 10.5 incher. What is a good distance to zero with a 7 inch upper?

[Marines42]

Hopefully you are aware that many companies will not warrantee their suppressors when used with barrels below 10.5"

The 7" is not only on the fringe of reliability, but it's terminal ballistics are greatly reduced. Common knowledge is that the lowest one should go with the 5.56 is 10.3"/10.5".

Hence the evolution of the 300 BLK.

I'm aware of the concerns involved but I went this route for a reason. I am just curious of what others with a 7 inch upper have decided a good range is for zero.

[glocktogo]

I'd say 50 yards. You can hit with it at 200, but you'll have no steam left in the projectile. IIRC, max fragmentation range for a 7.5 is only about 45-55 yards.

[Darkop]

I'm aware of the concerns involved but I went this route for a reason. I am just curious of what others with a 7 inch upper have decided a good range is for zero.

I have a 7.5" Noveske upper and it has run very well over about 1500 rds. I have it zeroed at 50 yards. I don't shoot it past 200yds. Such a fun little gun.

Until that day,
Darkop

[Marines42]

50 yards seems pretty conservative. I will probably go with 100. A 9mm subgun with a similar barrel can reach out to 100+ without too much trouble. The 5.56 is a much faster round and I bet it will maintain a little better. I have used a 10.5 in country and we shoot those on a 300 meter qualification. The bullet drop at 300 meters in it is huge. It's amazing how much of a difference those inches make.