Originally Posted by
Failure2Stop
18" is the worst compromise with regard to 7.62/.308 barrels. Makes the gun feel and move like a 20", but with ballistics closer to 16" performance than 20".
Big reason that pretty much every military uses either 20" or 16" barrels for 7.62 precision/sniper support.
9lbs is a bit on the light side, forces either a very thin barrel profile that won't hold up as heat grows for multiple shots, poor suppressor integration, and more movement under recoil. Given the enablers that are needed for effective use in that application (mid to high power optic, mount, offset sights, bipod, laser, rangefinder, level, cosine indicator, tripod mount, filled magazine, precision stock, etc, the final system is going to weight over 15 lbs, and the difference in a 15lb system and a 17lb system is way less noticeable than the difference between a 9lb gun and an 11lb gun. And that's before taking into account suppressors and clip-on inline nightvision.
In my experience, the optimal weight for a 7.62 gun is right around 9.5-10.5lbs base weight.
Your needed performance attributes should be part of your requirements list, definitely more important than arbitrary barrel lengths, minimal weight differences, or factory of manufacture.