Military rifle barrel length

[jon lynn]

Once in a while I look at the gun rags that feature military assault rifles. The thing I notice most is they seem to have shorter and shorter barrels. Does this have a large effect on long-range accuracy? I mean in Iraq it all is close contact, but when they see one of the enemy weenies in the distance, wouldn’t a longer barrel, with a bit more twist, help the 5.56 round to get a human target?

I never liked the M16-A1, I never made expert, but when we got the A2’s life was 100% better at the ranges. My CO told me the rate of twist and heavier barrel helped stabilize the new heavier 5.56 round. I asked him if length helped anything? He answered honestly and said he did not know.

I don’t mess with in depth calculations like most reloaders and varminters do, I just do factory ammo, me and reloading could be a very bad thing………...really