If you were going to buy a "match grade" AR barrel....

[littlejerry]

What would you get?

I'm contemplating buying a new barrel. My current 16" chrome lined barrel is pretty good, but I feel like I can outrun it at times.

I'm looking for a solution that doesn't add a ton of weight or cost more than $500. I havent decided on barrel length. I may go 18, 20, or 16.

I consistently shoot out to 600 yards and will be using 77gr SMKs and TMKs primarily, with some 75 gr Gold Dots for hunting duty.

So, recommendations?

[HCM]

I've had great results with Noveske and Ranier "Mountain" Barrels.

[Default.mp3]

Centurion Arms is generally considered a solid source, both their CHF (which is what I use in my DI guns) and their stainless steel (Monty is one of two sources for Crane specced MK12 barrels, IIRC): https://www.centurionarms.com/category-s/1514.htm

The BRT Optimum barrels are intriguing, and Clint seems very knowledgeable over on M4C: http://www.blackrivertactical.com/concrete5/optimum-barrel/

[Wake27]

Just looking for the barrel? BCM just released their stainless uppers spec'd by Kyle Defoor to be optimized for MK 262.


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[Lost River]

White Oak Armament.

They have a background shooting at the national matches and make some great barrels, at good prices. I have used 20+ of their barrels for builds for other people, as well as myself, and have yet to have one that will not shoot .5 moa with proper handloads. A good number of the guys I built them for were running standard MK262 77 grain smk, and the barrels shot the 262 very well.

This was a test target from an SPR using MK262 :

https://i.imgur.com/XcsA5pa.jpg?1


I am quite sure if you handloaded you could really tighten this up, but considering that is roughly .5 moa from military match stuff, it is likely sufficient for most applications.



I think I still have 3 of their barrels sitting under my bench right now from a big order I did a while ago. WOA is good stuff.

[MSparks909]

White Oak Armament.

They have a background shooting at the national matches and make some great barrels, at good prices. I have used 20+ of their barrels for builds for other people, as well as myself, and have yet to have one that will not shoot .5 moa with proper handloads. A good number of the guys I built them for were running standard MK262 77 grain smk, and the barrels shot the 262 very well.

This was a test target from an SPR using MK262 :

https://i.imgur.com/XcsA5pa.jpg?1


I am quite sure if you handloaded you could really tighten this up, but considering that is roughly .5 moa from military match stuff, it is likely sufficient for most applications.



I think I still have 3 of their barrels sitting under my bench right now from a big order I did a while ago. WOA is good stuff.

X2. WOA or Krieger.

[MSparks909]

Just looking for the barrel? BCM just released their stainless uppers spec'd by Kyle Defoor to be optimized for MK 262.


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These are on my shprt list...really want one and a nice 1-8 or 2.5-10x to throw on top.

[littlejerry]

I have been looking at WOA pretty hard because they are so common in high power. I like proven solutions and assume anything labeled Tactical! to be shade-tree or snake oil. I also like transparency: i.e. we use X blanks and cut our own chamber

Rainier ultramatch gets a lot of positive reviews, but they now only offer the "mod2" version.

How about fluting? The heavy fluted SDM barrels are appealing since they are barely over 2lbs and have a monster profile. Somehow the Rainier Mod2 barrels are under 2 lbs and use a .800" gas block. Conceptually the fluting is another opportunity for machining inconsistencies, but im not sure if that's an actual problem in practice.

[LittleLebowski]

Be sure to get your bolt matched to that specific barrel.

Example: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1554149263/shilen-drop-in-match-barrel-with-bolt-ar-15-223-remington-wylde-service-rifle-hbar-contour-20-stainless-steel

Or

https://www.jprifles.com/1.4.1_barrel.php

[LittleLebowski]

Were it my money and I was building it; I’d follow this guide (https://www.ar15.com/forums/precision-rifles/Hellbenders-guides-to-Ultimate-AR15-and-or-AR10/4-42/).

Otherwise, just buy a proven performer, such as the KAC LPR (https://www.tombstonetactical.com/catalog/knights-armament/31733-sr15-lpr-mod2-rifle-5.56mm-18in-30rd-black/) with the Krieger barrel

Or the JP
https://www.jprifles.com/1.2.2_JP15.php

[schüler]

On fluting, I always think of Frank Bartlein's comments, he's generally not a fan. But their page goes over it:
https://bartleinbarrels.com/barrel-faq/

[txdpd]

I had a Shilen .223 Wylde barrel that came with a matching bolt. Shot great. It popped primers with 5.56, that didn't really effect me, Shilen offered to make it right but I never took them up on it. If you're planning shooting 5.56 and buying a barrel with a non-SAAMI chambering there may be some headaches involved.

[Pennzoil]

I had an upper built for me using a WOA barrel back in 2010ish and the chamber was out of spec.

When I contacted WOA the customer service was and still is the worst i’ve experienced in the gun industry. I’m sure they make good equipment but if by chance you get a bad barrel you’re probably on your own to fix it.

[Maca]

Take a look at V Seven.

[mtnbkr]

Were it my money and I was building it; I’d follow this guide (https://www.ar15.com/forums/precision-rifles/Hellbenders-guides-to-Ultimate-AR15-and-or-AR10/4-42/).

Thanks for that link. I ordered a cheap lower from Cabelas last week "because it was on sale" and have been considering a slow build of a more benchrest-friendly AR rather than another carbine (assuming the siren song of a big-bore AR doesn't sway me).

Shame Photobucket broke the internet with their policy change though. :(

Chris

[JM Campbell]

I have the 18” big gunner rifle gas barrel and my buddy has the 18” match 416r barrel that does not have 5r rifling. We both have experienced very good accuracy and can hit out to 750yds.

This is their new barrel with 5r rifling and is very similar to the BRT barrel linked earlier (Faxon manufactures the BRT barrel) without the BRT chamber and gas port length.

http://faxonfirearms.com/match-series-18-gunner-223-wylde-rifle-length-416r-nitride-5r-nickel-teflon-extension/

10% off currently for Black Friday. Matched bolt is also a option through Faxon.


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[DocGKR]

Krieger, Bartlein, Shilen, Hart have all worked well....if properly installed.

[ranger]

I had a 30% discount offer from Bergara so I bought a 20 inch "heavy" 223 Wylde barrel from Bergara. Bought a BCM "blem" upper on sale. Bought an AAC 51T flashhider on sale. Bought a cheap 15" handguard, a "light weight" BCG, and a low profile gas block from AIM on sale. Got a gas tube at the table. I will get this assemble and see how it shoots. I build one upper every year off Black Friday sales. This year I wanted a 20 inch upper to see how far I can effectively use 223.

[StraitR]

Were it my money and I was building it; I’d follow this guide (https://www.ar15.com/forums/precision-rifles/Hellbenders-guides-to-Ultimate-AR15-and-or-AR10/4-42/).

Otherwise, just buy a proven performer, such as the KAC LPR (https://www.tombstonetactical.com/catalog/knights-armament/31733-sr15-lpr-mod2-rifle-5.56mm-18in-30rd-black/) with the Krieger barrel

Or the JP
https://www.jprifles.com/1.2.2_JP15.php

Sadly, the Mod 2 LPR uppers no longer come with Krieger barrels specifically. They also changed to a thinner barrel profile with the Mod 2. They do, however, still come with a 1" guarantee with their KAC in house match ammo (whatever that is).

[SecondsCount]

I have the 18” big gunner rifle gas barrel and my buddy has the 18” match 416r barrel that does not have 5r rifling. We both have experienced very good accuracy and can hit out to 750yds.

This is their new barrel with 5r rifling and is very similar to the BRT barrel linked earlier (Faxon manufactures the BRT barrel) without the BRT chamber and gas port length.

http://faxonfirearms.com/match-series-18-gunner-223-wylde-rifle-length-416r-nitride-5r-nickel-teflon-extension/

10% off currently for Black Friday. Matched bolt is also a option through Faxon.


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I will second Faxon. A few years ago I put a WOA barrel on a precision setup and while it shoots good, the chamber is tight. I replaced it with a Faxon 18" Gunner http://faxonfirearms.com/18-gunner-5-56-nato-rifle-length-4150-qpq/ this last summer.

I am really happy with the results. Gun functions much better, accuracy is almost as good, and the weight difference is huge.