Are shorter barrels more accurate?

[stokesrj]

My thoughts are that many things affect accuracy, and affect it differently under different circumstances. For the AR platform the most critical element is barrel quality, easily overwhelming the barrel length effects if we limit our discussions to conventional lengths, say 10" to 28". In this range of lengths and when shot from a bench shorter is more accurate. However, as others have stated at long distances velocity can help overall accuracy by reducing wind doping error in a longer barrel. If metallic sights are used longer is better, assuming a solid position to shoot from. However, the reverse is true if an unsteady position is used such as offhand. In this case a shorter barrel is more accurate again because of the reduced barrel time, movement of the rifle before the bullet leaves the muzzle is reduced. Another factor in offhand is wind moving the shooter and the gun, a shorter barrel is again more accurate because the effects of the wind move the shooter and rifle less.
This is why you will see devices such as the Hule Bloop Tube used on match rifles. The barrel length can be increased to 30" for prone positions where a longer sight radius is desired and shortened for off hand and sitting where reduced movement from wind is desired. http://www.accurateshooter.com/gear-revi...orm-houle/
Bob