223 Rem Velocity from...

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PreserveFreedom

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Has anyone here clocked the velocity of their 14½" barreled AR15? How does it compare to a 16" or 20" counterpart? I really like shorter carbine lengths. When the day comes that I can afford an AR, I think this will be the one, if it is still around.
 
Can't answer directly about comparative velocities, but the importance will be a function of your intended purpose.

If you intend to try for target accuracy out beyond, say, 300 yards, the lesser velocity will work against you.

If you're thinking more of casual target use and for home defense, the only drawback would be the louder bark.

FWIW, Art
 
The thing that most guys obsess about AR-15 velocity for is the speed needed to fragment M193 ball ammo (which is the only way to make that popular ammo an effective man-stopper). It needs to be about 2700fps on impact to fragment. The trick is, a 20" barrel does this to about 175yds, a 16" at 75-125yds, and the 14.5" barrel would only keep that speed to about 75yds or so. (One of the other AR-15.com boys can hop in to correct me if I'm off on these distances). Remember, you're losing anywhere from 25-100fps with every inch of barrel. So in effect, that 3200fps ball ammo in a 20" barrel might only leave the barrel of a 14.5 doing anywhere from 3000fps to only 2650fps! If this worries you, you can do what I do, and just use soft point that expands over a wider range of velocities :D
 
Anyone have any info about the TAP round? I think it has some kind of polymer tip...

Might not penetrate cover as well, but I'll bet it hits very hard out of short bbld ARs...
 
Thanks for the link, KilgorII. That's exactly the data I was seeking. My main reason for considering an AR is the exchangeable uppers. Based on the data, it looks like the 14½" barrel may serve my purposes just fine when the time comes. ;)
 
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