[fullthrottle]

16" Light, or 16" Heavy Barrel

Which one is the best to get and why? I've read here where accuracy isn't different between the two, but wouldn't the heavy maintain better accuracy as the number of shots fired at one time increases heating the barrel? Also, is the difference in balance between the two huge?

 

[Bravo]

Re: 16" Light, or 16" Heavy Barrel

wouldn't the heavy maintain better accuracy as the number of shots fired at one time increases heating the barrel?

It depends.
If you're shooting it off a bench, with bags fore and aft, then yes the heavy barrel will retain accuracy better as the barrel heats up.

If you're not shooting off a dead rest, then there isn't a difference. If you're using the mag as a monopod, you can't shoot the difference. If you're shooting off a sling, you can't shoot the difference. If you're resting the fore-end across a pickup bed rail, fence post, or anything else, you can't shoot the difference.

Using the light barrel, I can shoot high into the expert rating, and that's sustained fire included.

In other words: If you use your carbine from a dead rest, like some kind of extremely inefficient benchrester, then you want the heavy barrel. If you're using your carbine like a Rifleman would, then there's no need for the excess weight.

 

[MickeyC]

Re: 16" Light, or 16" Heavy Barrel

If you are shooting silouette targets for center mass out to 200 or so yards then the light barrel is fine. If you plan to engage targets out to 500 or so in support of a sniper/long range 3 gun, etc or you are varmint hunting at 300+ then go heavy.

 

[variablebinary]

Re: 16" Light, or 16" Heavy Barrel

Which one is the best to get and why? I've read here where accuracy isn't different between the two, but wouldn't the heavy maintain better accuracy as the number of shots fired at one time increases heating the barrel? Also, is the difference in balance between the two huge?

I have had both profiles. The XCR swings better with the light barrel, which is true of most guns. It also balances batter. I personally prefer a more rigid barrel so I currently have heavy.

However, onces I get some time and spare cash I'd like to get an HBAR cut down to 14.5" with Sabre extended A2 attached, and have the barrel turned down behind the gas block.

 

[Martens]

Re: 16" Light, or 16" Heavy Barrel

I currently have both barrels, a 14.5 light with a permanent PWS brake and a 16 inch heavy with a PWS as well. I use the light barrel for patrol and entry work and switch to the heavy barrel for wooded area clears or marksman duties. I have found that both goup the same, but after about 10 shots the light barrel starts to open up. I haven't found a round count with the heavy in which my groups open up.

I actually think the heavy barrel balances better off hand and seems less prone to "bounce around."

If you go with a heavy barrel, you can always have it recontoured to the light or fluted. If you go with the light, you can't go heavy with it.

 

[Devil doc]

Re: 16" Light, or 16" Heavy Barrel

If you ever plan on suppressing it skip the pencil barrel.

 

[MickeyC]

Re: 16" Light, or 16" Heavy Barrel

I'm considering buying an 18 heavy and having it fluted. Best of both worlds.

 

[EricCartmann]

Re: 16" Light, or 16" Heavy Barrel

If you ever plan on suppressing it skip the pencil barrel.

I think I will keep my HB now

 

[Devil doc]

Re: 16" Light, or 16" Heavy Barrel

If you ever plan on suppressing it skip the pencil barrel.

I think I will keep my HB now

The XCR suppresses better than my LWRC and my neighbors POF. It also has virtually no blow back. Very quiet and very clean, Sounds nothing like an AK.

 

[chan67]

Re: 16" Light, or 16" Heavy Barrel

I have one with the heavy barrel and one with the light barrel. For me, the one with the light barrel just feels better then the heavy.