Extreme Duty by Coastal 5.56 is what I own.

Is it true that the shorter the barrel, the harder it is on the can?

I would prefer that the overall length would not exceed 16".

Thanks for the advise.

You would have to look at what barrel length your can is rated for in 5.56. Manufacturers typically list minimum barrel lengths for specific calibers. For example, my Omega is rated down to 10" on 5.56, 16" for 308 and 20" for 300 WM. But to answer your question, yes, short barrel 5.56's are hard on cans.

What he said. ^^^ I have an Omega on the way too, hate this long wait.

Shorter the barrel, less powder is burned. Less powder burned equals more impingement on blast baffle. More impingement equals shorter baffle life.

That said I pick as short a barrel as I can and eff the consequences.

My 223 SBR's are 10.5" and 11". Shorter than that and velocity and reliability drops off considerably from what research I did before I shortened mine.