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Thread: 16nch or 18 inch bcm upper ?

  1. #11
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    I opted for the 16" SS410 upper primarily because it was available at the time and the 18 wasn't available. I've been very pleased with the accuracy. I've only taken it out to 200 yards as there aren't longer ranges where I live. However, several others on this forum have reported good results at 500 yards.

    You might consider a KMR model as the lightweight rail helps offset the weight of the stainless steel barrel.
    Last edited by TexanInCali; 11-08-14 at 21:44.

  2. #12
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    You're not really gaining a whole lot of velocity with those 2 inches .

    Depending on the ammo used the velocity difference between a 16 and 20
    is usually under 200 FPS .
    Between a 16 and an 18 it should be well under a 100 FPS , and with some
    loads the velocity difference could be as low a 35 FPS or less .

    Meanwhile an AR with an 18 inch barrel is noticeably more cumbersome .
    ( Especially getting in and out of vehicles ,indoor use , thick brush , ETC )

    I'm a big fan of the 16 inch barrel .
    I'd rather not have to deal with permanently attached muzzle devices on a 14.5
    or SBRing it .

  3. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by urmaker45 View Post
    Actually I am a marksman on a sheriffs office team "sniper" I might shoot competition but I just want a precision long range ar platform that I can shoot out past 500 yards and in if its 800 plus Ill just shoot my bolt gun.
    You first need to understand the capability of the platform, 500 yards is not hard with a 16 inch or 18 inch barrel but instead relies on the shooter. Long range for the AR platform is 800+ yards. You need to specify what you want to do with the rifle. Even a "sniper" would figure out his target
    I perfer black coffee in the morning, bourbon in evenings and spending money on sh*t I probably don't need.

  4. #14
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    I was asking this same question a couple weeks ago. I ended up going with the 16" SS410 with 15" KMR rail and couldn't be happier. It is scary accurate.

  5. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Koshinn View Post
    As a sheriff's marksman, you're taking 500 yard shots with a 5.56?
    That sums this whole thread up nicely.

  6. #16
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    I used to have a 18 barrel for varmits, it was cumbersome and I was finding I can kill a coyote the same at 250-300 yards with a 14.5.
    In the future, PMAGs will be the currency standard.

  7. #17
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    I'll take a slightly different tack.

    All the points above regarding being more cumbersome and such when operating out of vehicles or confined spaces are valid. But if that's not what you're going to do, then what does it matter? The rifle length gas does feel smoother (to me) than a middy. And if you aren't going to be using it in a way that the extra two inches of length matters from a handling standpoint, then why not get the extra velocity as well? There isn't anything a 18" barrel can do that a 16" can't do, but the 18" does feel smoother and the extra weight in front does help you settle into some positions better (if that's how you're going to be sooting).

    I've been practicing a lot of positional shooting (offhand, squatting, kneeling, sitting, prone, all with traditional shooting sling) while swapping back and forth between a BCM 16 LW upper, a Centurion CHF LW, and a BCM 20" government. Of the three, the 16" guns do feel quite a bit more handy, but the 20" feels a lot more smooth and stable. I would imagine an 18" SS410 would do about the same.
    "Man is still the first weapon of war" - Field Marshal Montgomery

    The Everyday Marksman

  8. #18
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    I've been only shooting my 18" SPR rifle gas barrel for quite sometime. When I recently shot a buddy's 16" carbine gas rifle I caught myself wondering why the recoil was so stiff.

  9. #19
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    If you are going to be getting in and out of a vehicle with the rifle, I would go with the 16" barrel.
    Train 2 Win

  10. #20
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    I might agree. Except the gas port on an 18" is actually larger than a 20" rifle.

    Quote Originally Posted by BrigandTwoFour View Post
    I'll take a slightly different tack.

    All the points above regarding being more cumbersome and such when operating out of vehicles or confined spaces are valid. But if that's not what you're going to do, then what does it matter? The rifle length gas does feel smoother (to me) than a middy. And if you aren't going to be using it in a way that the extra two inches of length matters from a handling standpoint, then why not get the extra velocity as well? There isn't anything a 18" barrel can do that a 16" can't do, but the 18" does feel smoother and the extra weight in front does help you settle into some positions better (if that's how you're going to be sooting).

    I've been practicing a lot of positional shooting (offhand, squatting, kneeling, sitting, prone, all with traditional shooting sling) while swapping back and forth between a BCM 16 LW upper, a Centurion CHF LW, and a BCM 20" government. Of the three, the 16" guns do feel quite a bit more handy, but the 20" feels a lot more smooth and stable. I would imagine an 18" SS410 would do about the same.



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