M16 clone as a viable survival rifle?

[ArmedCorgi]

Here is my thought process on this. The need to have a centerfire rifle for defense and hunting purposes with the capability to convert to rimfire for more basic and utilitarian purposes....

The M16 has a 20" pencil barrel with a 1/12 twist rate. This length and twist rate is supposedly devistating with 55gr 223/556 ammo and is light.

The 1/12 twist is also closer to the common 1/16 twist rate of a lot of 22lr barrels than a 1/9 or 1/7. I'm thinking a 1/12 would stablize a 22lr bullet better than a 1/9 or 1/7? Or is my thinking wrong on this?

Just throwing this out there to chew on.

 

[tc556guy]

Considering that the design was originally pitched to the military as a survival rifle for pilots, that would be simply going back to its roots. A civilian survival role would free the user from using military ball ammo and carrying something a little more effective for survival purposes.

 

[kev74]

For what it's worth, I was dinging steel at 100 and 200 yards with an AR with 1:9 twist and a .22 conversion kit today. No problem hitting 10 inch plate at 100 or the 8 inch plate (I think) at 200 - at least after I found the right holdover.

For minute-of-plate, I don't think the twist rate matters that much.

 

[FP1201]

When Colt released the H-Bar (Heavy Barrel 1:7 twist) they supplied them with .22LR Conversion Kits which worked pretty well.
As with any .22 the trick is finding which ammo it likes, but remember it's just a .22 and not even as potent as from a conventional semi-auto because there is a gas bleed from the conversion. It'll do withing reason what you'd expect, but anytime you try to get multiple things from one Tool something else is sacrificed. (you give up something to get everything)

 

[Jem45472]

I haven't shot my conversion yet. Ill be using it in a 1/7 twist barrel, but it's only a 10.5 inch barrel. I wonder if the short barrel will help a little with 22 accuracy as opposed to it being a 16".

 

[meketrefe]

The perfect survival do it all deal.


View attachment 151104


View attachment 151105

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I wonder if the short barrel will help a little with 22 accuracy as opposed to it being a 16".

This is another consideration. Is a 20" bbl too long? Would a 22lr be subsonic exiting a 20" bbl instead of further down range?

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

What is the intended usage?

Just a good all around do it all gun for Small game hunting, large game, home defense, potential offense?

 

[ArmedCorgi]

What is the intended usage?

Just a good all around do it all gun for Small game hunting, large game, home defense, potential offense?

Yes, I suppose. Staying in the AR platform.

 

[togmaster]

Anything that is all purpose is never really good at one thing.

 

[spat]

This is another consideration. Is a 20" bbl too long? Would a 22lr be subsonic exiting a 20" bbl instead of further down range?

Or just straight up compactness.

For a survival rifle that's a major concern.

20" will have better performance, sure, but the 16" will be lighter and will fit places the 20" won't.

I would also consider adding a folding stock adapter to minimize the storage space used.

 

[nortatoga]

AR-22 (.22 LR) Uppers | Shoot .22 LR from AR-15 Lowers

.22 LR, 16" Parkerized Heavy Barrel 1:16 Twist 15" MLOK Rail|Branded Side Charging AR-22 Upper (Gen 2) w/ 10 rd Magazine|New MLOK​

Rating:
78% of100

81 REVIEWS
IN STOCK
SKU
274NB-UASCH22LHB16116P-15M3
Qty


$299.99

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Or just straight up compactness.

For a survival rifle that's a major concern.

20" will have better performance, sure, but the 16" will be lighter and will fit places the 20" won't.

I would also consider adding a folding stock adapter to minimize the storage space used.

The M16 clone I have is pretty light. It's lighter than either of my 16"bbl carbines. But as you said it's long. I have also throught of using an AR pistol. Put a folder on one of those and it's super compact. But it would have a 1/7 twist. However, I'm not sure the twist rate will matter all the much other than it just not being able to be a precise competition rifle. But that isn't the purpose anyway.

 

[FRANKIE]

I would be cautious with those conversion kits.
While they do work, that’s the problem. If you don’t fire full power rounds after shooting a few hundred .22’s it will totally fuck up your gas system. This unit was a CMMG. Although these days it would have made that AR 15 NY legal cause now it was a bolt action.
I would never use one again.

 

[Podmonkey]

I don't think it's a good idea to run .22LR through the barrel of a gas gun. I know it can be done but unjacketed lead bullets will foul the gas port which is difficult to clean without disassembly. Better off keeping .22 and .223 in separate guns.
As for the 20" barrel- for a rilfe thar will be used primarily outside the home sure, you get the full benefit of what the cartridge was designed for.
However I would ask do you really need it?
I am of the opinion that a 16" barrel is sufficient.
You can tailor to specific needs by selecting the appropriate load. The 77gr Mk 262 loads and clones thereof will reach effectively out to 500 yards and beyond out of a 16" carbine.

 

[repete]

This is another consideration. Is a 20" bbl too long? Would a 22lr be subsonic exiting a 20" bbl instead of further down range?

Years ago when I was in the reserves we had a range in the building and used .22LR in the M16A1's without any major problems, usually any problem was a jam with cheap ammo. As for leading up the gas port IDK.
I just fixed it, my dumb ass typed M18a1 instead of 16. Thats what I get for not proof reading!

 

[Cavalry]

I had a 22 conversion bolt at one time. I was not really impressed with accuracy, I was getting 2-3" groups at 25m. I actually thought it was maybe me so I grabbed my trusty Marlin 60 and put 10 inside a quarter.
They are maybe good enough to take a squirrel...or just crappy enough to miss.