AR Platforms: 10.5" vs 20" Barrel at 200 Yards

must be nice to have good eyes (200 yds with irons)

Shorter barrels are more accurate given the same barrel profile, this is especially true with thin profile barrels that are not free floated.
They are stiffer and have less problems with barrel harmonics. At the same time you're going to get more drop and wind drift due to the lower velocity.
By the literal definition of accuracy, shorter barrels are more accurate.

At what distance will you notice a significant difference between a 1:7/1:8/1:9 twist barrel with say 55 to 68g fmj type ammo?

Anyone else hear that bullet ricochet?

Another great one!

I used Winchester 223 White box 55gr FMJ, (but not anymore; cost), most do. Key is FMJ. It would be great to see you use the ammo most use & is cheaper. I guess the test can still be used as a measure for FMJ. You might consider using a scope & go out as far as you can. How about helping us find the best cheap ammo with a 10.5 vs 16, or 20 if you prefer. Great vid. Thx

Paul you're awesome man, this was extremely helpful to me. Thank you for taking the time.

I wonder what the barrel twist is on each AR and if that makes a difference in performance.

I am ever so proud that he didn’t shoot the crony, yeah, like I did. 🙂

Great demo. I thought the term was "spire-point" have I been saying it wrong for 35 years?

I wonder if he eats the ribs after he shoots them. Why let them go to waste?

Awesome video. I needed nod on this very subject as I’m thinking of getting a 10.5” pistol. Thanks.

videos like this keep paul at the top

Very thorough and informative – would've also been interesting to remove iron sight advantage with longer barrel and throw a LPV optic on each. It might give a better indication of barrel accuracy as opposed to shooter's ability with different length sight distances. Great video, thanks!

What’s also clear is that Paul, an average shooter 😂, is more effective with the longer sight radius of the 20” rifle.

Another fantastic video! Thanks for doing this stuff!

I'd love to see pauls gun collection

That's not a SBR: that's why Paul refers to these barrels being on an AR "PLATFORM". It appears to me to be the Ruger 5.56 AR Pistol with the 10.5" barrel and a SB Tactical brace.

So basically the 16 inch barrel is the king…

I trust meat targets a lot more than ballistic gel.

Great review, a lot of information

Real-world info. Clean presentation. Thank you, Paul.

So a short barrel rifle is a 100yard or less gun……best for room to room

Great stuff! Please keep it up!

The man's a robot with his form. I love it.

First off, Paul nailing approx 12” target at 200yd in gusting winds on irons with a MK18 equivalent!!!! 932ft lbs of energy from the 10.5 inch is well above the 500 indicated to be minimal lethal by FBI standards, and more accurate at range than my .357 or 10mm off hand. I really like shooting 40gr Nosler varmint rounds out of the shorter barrels, they come out with some zip, shoot flatter and expand tremendously on impact with organic target= great home defense round (they are meant for vermin after all)

I would love to see you do a presentation on barrel twist rates on the AR platform with various bullet weights.

I think most of us owned a 16" and bought a 10.5" for it's compact size and a backup knowing it will run all our ammo and mags, am I correct on this guys?

Leave it to Paul to go out 200yds and hit a 6×9 target first shot with a glorified pistol lol

Good to see what those 77 grn OTM's do to targets. Nothing I'd want to be on the receiving end of.

The Hollow Point on 77gr ammo (and almost all spitzer rifle ammo) has nothing to do with expansion. Its there as the copper jacket is “reverse drawn” meaning its made from the tail to the tip. This is done to increase conformity in manufacture for more consistent bullets and also helps change the weight distribution to the rear making the bullets more accurate over long ranges. If you specifically want an expanding rifle bullet go with a soft point which is made to mushroom. Most AR ammo is made to tumble and/or break apart, not expand. Expanding Hollowpoints are truly only seen in pistol ammo.

Not trying to be that guy, however was the twist rate the same for both 20" and 10.5"?

What is the accountability for the recorded "closer velocity" numbers for the heavier bullets between the different barrel lengths?

Would have loved to see an 11.5 inch thown in the mix…. To me its the best length if u want short barrel with acceptable performance… if we could get a head to head like this but with 300blk now that would be interesting

I was surprised at how well the 55gr soft point ammo did out of the 10.5 inch barrel at 200 yards.

Well. The answer is : 20in rocks ! Thats what 5.56 was designed for. THAT'S whats optimal. WE the regular folks ARE NOT cq spec ops! Go with 18-20 in. And we can call ourselves designated marksmen– if your ego needs that.

Have both.

20 inch barrel it is then…thank you paul

Once again the meat target demonstrates things other YouTube video "experts" would merely profusely pontificate about with their hot wind!
Absolutely love the setup out in the middle of a windy nowhere being used to show "real life" scenarios too.
Great work and thanks for showing us "The Way"

Good stuff Paul

He had me with the laying in bed while it was raining video, no one, I mean no one beats that!!

i have a 18" with a rifle gas tube and i love it. shoots like a dream

The sounds that the bullets make going past the chronograph are so interesting to hear without any terrain to cause echoing.

great stuff. Would be interesting to see 7.62×39 out of a short versus long barrel.

Another great video, I just bought an AR15 Pistol, 10.5 in. barrel, know I know the difference ….thank you so much very useful to me!!