16" versus 18" for 3 Gun

[rak320]

I just recently shot the Ozark 3 Gun Championship in Missouri($300,000 prize table) , which was my first big match. It was a natural terrain match and a helluva good time BTW. I outperformed my expectations, but realized I still have a lot to learn about the sport. I shot a 16" carbine length rifle and for the most part shot well, I hit the 400m target, but FTN the 500m. Most shots with the rifle were from 150-250m, which leads to this question...I want to build a rifle for 3 gun matches but I can not decide if an 18" is really needed...I've heard both sides, so I am now reffering this question...I'm leaning towards a BCM or Noveske upper...Any help would be great...

Grant

[Supermoto]

There is really no down side to a 18" rifle length gas system. You can build a very soft shooting rifle with a adjustable gas block, lightened BCG and buffer. The rifle will transition as quickly as a 16". But if you can't hit it with a 16" barrel, then a 18" will not make the difference. Knowing your dope is crucial

[mrwickwire]

I think most 3-gun guys go with an 18 inch with a rifle length gas system.

[jwfuhrman]

Im running a 16in BCM SS410 Midlength upper. Works very well for me. Had 2nd fastest time on the 300 yard targets last 3gun I shot, guy who beat me was using a 18in OPEN gun and only beat me by .01secs, Im running Tac Ops with a Burris XTR 1-4x24.

Heres my 3gun setup:

BCM 16in SS410 Mid-length
Burris XTR 1-4x24 in LaRue SPR 1.5
Battle Comp 1.0
BCM BCG
MagPul ACS
H2 Buffer
MagPul MOE Grip
Troy TRX Extreme 13in

Shoots really smooth, and really fast. Only thing I want to change out is the Fire Control Group for a Geissle SSA or DMR

[M4Fundi]

If you look at the Noveske shooting team 2 are using 17" guns and Rob is using a 16". I "think" Jansen said he was going to try out a 16" over the 17. Personally the NST from Noveske would be where I would start with a dedicated 3gun setup. Look at they're videos. They can shoot fast, but they definitely can shoot long!

[Robb Jensen]

I like a 16" for anything inside of 500yds. After 500yds I like a 18-20" gun. Most stuff I shoot here on the east coast is under 400yds.

I use 16" BCM midlength SS410.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

I think most 3-gun guys go with an 18 inch with a rifle length gas system.

This.

If it is going to be a game gun then you can get the adjustable gas block, the low mass operating system and the brake. Get the gas tuned in and rock and roll. Such a manageable system I can see my hits and misses and correct.

That dog will hunt, or at least you can't blame the dog when you don't do well.

[NickW]

You can certainly shoot 3gun w/ a 16" bbl., as long as you understand the pros and cons.

I shoot 3gun and rifle only matches. I run a JP CTR02 18", but started w/a JP15 20" (which I shot for 4 years and about 8K rnds). I had bought a 16" JP upper to try when I had the 20" upper thinking I'd like a short upper for matches with close targets. I didn't care for it (to light, harsher recoil). In talking with John at JP, you start to lose significant velocity with the 16" guns, which I confirmed. As I tend to shoot mostly 55gr bullets, I didn't want to give up to much velocity. That said, as long as you know your dope for targets beyond 300 (small percentage of match targets) you can certainly hit them w/a 16" bbl.

I like the feel of the rifle length gas system. Combined w/the adj gas block, lightened stainless carrier and JP Comp, the control / softness / flat shooting of the 18" and 20" uppers are amazing. They shoot 55's as well as 75 or 77's. Accuracy and reliability are awesome. Balance and weight of the upper is perfect due to the bbl profile JP uses. The 16" bbl shines on run and gun stages where your pushing the gun in ad out of ports, moving down halls, etc. I decided to split the difference and go w/a 18'' bbl as it was the best compromise.

I've had Larue 16", 18", and 20" uppers as well as an 18" upper with a woa bbl. I run a 16" Colt at work and none of them felt as good to shoot as the JP for 3gun. YMMV. You can order an 18" bbl w/ adj. gas block and comp for your rifle. You can also order a lightened carrier if you want the whole system.

www.jprifles.com

Best,
Nick

Don't work for or have any interest in JP Rifles. Just passing on what works for me.

[kelly neal]

Most of the top 3 gunners gernerally shoot full sized ARs with 20 in barrels although some use 18 inchers. A couple have gone to the 17 or even 16 in guns but the trend is still to utilize guns with the full length gas system as they are softer to shooter (i.e. less gun movement).

Taran Butler uses a shorter barrel which fits his shooting style (he shoots the AR like a big Open pistol). Rob Romero runs a shorter barrel too. Tony Holmes has monkeyed with a 16 in gun but I don't know what his final opinion was. But that is a minority group.

I like the 18 for a Tac Scope or Open gun as it gets you the rifle length gas system with at least the perception of more manueverability than a 20 in. That being said, I don't shoot an 18 any better than I do a 20.

For iron sights, a 20 with extended sight radius is defintely the way to go.

[Alaskapopo]

My new Noveske Rogue Hunter will be here on the 19th. I have the new Swarovski Z6i BRT 1-6x scope already. I will post pics when I get it put together.
Pat