I was dead set on pickup up a DPMS .308 Recon last week until I spoke w/my father in law who is a shooter of the last 35 plus years and when it comes to guns, I listen to him. He asked what barrel length I was looking at and I said it had a 16 inch barrel. He advised against it and suggested a 20 inch barrel minimum. I did a bit of research and it appears he is very much correct, a longer barrel will produce more velocity due to powder burn time in the barrel. So I went back to DPMS's website and there really isn't a 20 inch offering in the same ballpark that has a quad rail, and adjustable stock, if you want 20 inches you have to get more of a target rifle. Here's where I sound a little nuts; yes it will be a target rifle...a device for pocking holes in paper for the most part, but ideally, I'd like this AR to be a do everything gun. With an adjustable stock, quad rail and fip up sights it's very much a carbine. With the flat top upper and heavy barrel it's very much an accurate rifle up to 1000 yards. So I want the best of both worlds and possibly even use it to hunt medium to large game, but I don't want to step up to the SASS or Sniper versions for almost double the money. Does anyone have experience shooting 500 to 1000 yards with a 16 barrel .308 especially in an AR platform? Any advice would be great. I know 20 inches is best, but will 16 be effective?
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Verified answer
The velocity difference isn't all that much, in fact 16inch barrels have better accuracy unless you have a bull barrel because of barrel whip when it heats up, you are talking about 200-300 FPS difference between 22 vs 16 in bbl, that won't matter enough
when you shoot at ranges 500 yards +, there is a lot more to consider than the length of a barrel, the 16in barrel is good enough depending on
-Bullet load
-optics
-shooter skill
if you are capable and find a load that the guns like, hitting 1000 yards will not be a problem, adjustments will be different because of the FPS, i have used the rifle you are talking about
it shot SUB MOA at 100 yards, meaning at 1000 yards, technically speaking it should be able to hit a zombie sized target.
i have used the M1A socom which also has a 16in bbl out to 400 with irons, i was hitting milk jugs with ease.
get the 16in bbl if you plan to use it for close and long range, it will do the job for both
but if you plan to shoot long range only, than a 18in+ bbl will be ideally for you
if i were you i would consider the M1A scout which has an 18in BBL and is an excellent semi auto rifle for long and short range shooting, the .308 performs well in an 18in bbls.
Ar 308 Barrel
Dpms 308 Recon