AR Barrel Choices...

[Hornseeker]

Too Many...

For shooting long range, say 300-600 yards... would going with a heavy 24" barrel like I've shot on the Stag Model 6 be a big benefit over an 18" barrel? I can pick up that 24" barrel from Stag for $200... and I've seen it "drive tacks"... they are made by ER Shaw...

And what about Blackholes polygonal rifling? Only benefit is easier cleaning?? Are they just as accurrate?

For an economy build... what is a great low cost 16" barrel?

Would love to see a good barrel discussion evolve on this thread...

Thank You

[kisfish]

tag

[huntnphool]

You should also be concerned with the twist rate. Figure out which bullet you are going to use and get the appropriate barrel.

[Hornseeker]

For the economy barrels i want to load something in the 55 grain range. For the long range murderer... Im thinking 68-77s...

1:9 for the little ones? 1:8 for the bigguns?

[lamrith]

I think we are all assuming you want to stay 556 or are you up for other calibers?

6.5grendel is a pretty sweet round, big game legal in WA, Great ballistics and trajectories similar to 308, low recoil, runs in std ar15 upper/lowers, only change is bolt only (not bcg), Mag and Barrel.  I built one with a $299 Brownells 18" bolt&barrel combo, shot sub MOA on factory ammo...

[Hornseeker]

Dang... that inexpensive... alls I need is the bolt, barrel and a new mag...

Done.

HOWEVER... yes... I am talking 556 on my main question here!

[Biggerhammer]

A 1-8 will shoot your 55's and 77's great. Blackhole Weaponry makes a excellent barrel. I just had a BHW 1-8 M4 contour delivered today.

[Biggerhammer]

I think we are all assuming you want to stay 556 or are you up for other calibers?

6.5grendel is a pretty sweet round, big game legal in WA, Great ballistics and trajectories similar to 308, low recoil, runs in std ar15 upper/lowers, only change is bolt only (not bcg), Mag and Barrel.  I built one with a $299 Brownells 18" bolt&barrel combo, shot sub MOA on factory ammo...

A box of Hornady 6.5 Grendel 123gr A-Max or the 123gr SST costs less than a box of Federal 5.56/.223 Gold Medal Match and the BHW 8 twist barrels shoot the stuff great.

[Hornseeker]

BHW does the 6.5 too? Will look.

Thanks for the info BH and Lam.

[lamrith]

I figured you probably were, but since I didn't see it mentioned figured I would throw the pitch and see if get another member to join the Horde.  Well done BH, we just might get him to come to the dark side.....
This is a group I shot the 1st day I had my grendel built.  Shots 1-4 were @ 25yrds to get on paper, the shots shown are 5-6-7 shot @ 100yrds.  Using the Amax 123Gn Tounds BH mentioned.  The image is 1/4 of a sheet of Std 8.5x11 paper which had other hits as I zero'd the scope in.  Those 3 shots were to establish group before zeroing new scope. 


As for 556..
I know some people swear by RedX barrels, might be worth a look?
I have not priced a barrel locally in a while, but used to always be cheap $99 barrels around in 16"

I would think 18-20" be a great balance for that longer range stuff.  I had a 24" and it added velocity for sure.  As mentioned, matching twist to the bullets you plan to shoot will be most important then barrel length.

[Biggerhammer]

BHW does the 6.5 too? Will look.

Thanks for the info BH and Lam.

Yes. They label it the .264 LBC, it runs all Grendel ammo and for all purposes but in name. It is a 6.5 Grendel, the throat angle is better than the "Original" Grendel throat. I have a few laying around and they all shoot.

Some .264 LBC/ Grendel barrels.

[Swag]

I am in no way a Sub MOA shooter,  :dunno:but I hunt and use all of my AR's for hunting Big game and allot of small game and Varmints.  I have put ER Shaw a 24'' bull barrel chambered in 204 side by side against BHW 24'' 204 pencil Barrel, and I can tell you it is not as simple as easier to clean.  The polygonal rifling creates a significant reduction in drag and increase in velocity, in a 204 increased velocity = accuracy and speed.  I also have a 6.8 Bison and BHW barrels that have polygonal rifling and when compared to traditional rifling in is very impressive the difference in repeatable accuracy.  For a guy who is content with being able to hit a coyote at 1 to 400 yards, polygonal rifling works very well for me....

[mountainman]

Carl builds some awesome barrels!

[emac]

I think we are all assuming you want to stay 556 or are you up for other calibers?

6.5grendel is a pretty sweet round, big game legal in WA, Great ballistics and trajectories similar to 308, low recoil, runs in std ar15 upper/lowers, only change is bolt only (not bcg), Mag and Barrel.  I built one with a $299 Brownells 18" bolt&barrel combo, shot sub MOA on factory ammo...

Do you know if any body is making a left handed bolt carrier for the 6.5 grendal

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

[Biggerhammer]

I think we are all assuming you want to stay 556 or are you up for other calibers?

6.5grendel is a pretty sweet round, big game legal in WA, Great ballistics and trajectories similar to 308, low recoil, runs in std ar15 upper/lowers, only change is bolt only (not bcg), Mag and Barrel.  I built one with a $299 Brownells 18" bolt&barrel combo, shot sub MOA on factory ammo...

Do you know if any body is making a left handed bolt carrier for the 6.5 grendal

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

You could purchase a Stag Arms left hand upper receiver and bolt carrier. Look around and find a left hand 7.6x39 bolt, make sure it has the .124 or so bolt face depth which would be the same as the "Type I" .264 LBC bolts that BlackHole Weoponry uses, all my .264 LBC/ Grendel barrels are "Type I".

The bolt carrier for a 5.56/.223 is the same bolt carrier used for the .264 LBC/6.5 Grendel. The only difference being the bolt installed into the bolt carrier is different.


Order a .264 LBC type I barrel through Blackhole and put it together.

[actionshooter]

I have shot a bunch of the different barrels, ER, BHW, White Oak and a lot I can't remember, but the best shooter, MOST ACCURATE hands down has been JP Precision, but be ready to fork out $600

[Hornseeker]

600!!!!! Damn!!!! wow. seems unnecessary... you were hopefully shooting 1 hole groups??

[Blacklab]

Lilja makes awesome barrels   

[actionshooter]

600!!!!! Damn!!!! wow. seems unnecessary... you were hopefully shooting 1 hole groups??

 It shoots under MOA with 55s and have had several 1 hold groups with 69SMKs.

[lokidog]

Following along.   

[grundy53]

Following along.   

Me too

[jay.sharkbait]

I have shot a bunch of the different barrels, ER, BHW, White Oak and a lot I can't remember, but the best shooter, MOST ACCURATE hands down has been JP Precision, but be ready to fork out $600

Anyone care to guess who makes the barrels for JP?


When it comes to the AR world you would be shocked how many "manufacturers" don't manufacture anything.

[dscubame]

I went long.... Wish I went short.

[actionshooter]

I have shot a bunch of the different barrels, ER, BHW, White Oak and a lot I can't remember, but the best shooter, MOST ACCURATE hands down has been JP Precision, but be ready to fork out $600

Anyone care to guess who makes the barrels for JP?


When it comes to the AR world you would be shocked how many "manufacturers" don't manufacture anything.

Its not really a secret, but its not my place to put that on the net either.
 I don't know the specifics, maybe they use better blanks/steel, maybe better tooling.  I know I won't buy one of the " that manufacturers" barrels because they haven't been that good for me.
 I also believe the cryogenics make a huge difference, but there are a bunch of people who argue that too. 
 The two things I do know, JP stuff flat shoots, and you will be hard pressed to find better customer service.
 I also know when I go to a big match (150+) and you look at the rifle racks, 50% are complete JP guns or have JP parts installed.
 Seekins precision is coming on fast right now also and no, I don't know who makes their barrels. 
 

[grundy53]

I have shot a bunch of the different barrels, ER, BHW, White Oak and a lot I can't remember, but the best shooter, MOST ACCURATE hands down has been JP Precision, but be ready to fork out $600

Anyone care to guess who makes the barrels for JP?


When it comes to the AR world you would be shocked how many "manufacturers" don't manufacture anything.

Wilson?

[Biggerhammer]

Cryo helps a bunch keeping the first cold bore shot on the money when it comes to AR's. JP is big on Croyo treated barrels.

[Hornseeker]

any more barrel recommendations? Sites to buy them?

[cookingdaily]

there is a gun store on martin in oly that has uppers for sale in different calibers

slickguns.com

https://www.targetsportsusa.com

[Blacklab]

Lilja    

[jay.sharkbait]

My best shooting 5.56 barrel is an 18" White Oak SPR barrel 1/7 twist.

The new Mega barrels shoot good and I think there is one available in marketplace.

The Rainier super über duper match barrels shoot great, but are overpriced IMHO.

If you can find one...... The FN A-2 barrels are money.

[wildweeds]

I have a JP Barrell and it is far better than my shooting,spendy yes,but it's scary accurate.My buddy who helped me wind the thing together who is a navy vet and a gun freak,let me do all my own homework and he put it together.We went to shoot it and his 5 shot groups at 200 meters with the factory fioochi extrema hunting 50 grain vmax were  1/2 inch.Mine were anywhere from 1 inch to 3 inch because I suck.I haven't shot any match ammo through it yet but I do have a couple boxes of 69 grain and 77 grain.Just got to find the time to go and shoot some more at longer range.

[Blacklab]

.5 @ 200 yards    .

[Hornseeker]

 

[mountainman]

Black Hole barrels are some of the best. After over 100 builds, including bolt guns, have never seen a bad barrel yet

[Hornseeker]

Good to know MountainMan... thanks !

[wildweeds]

Hornseeker,

Upon rereading your original post,it sounds like your looking for exactly what I set out to put together.I went to my safe and looked at the envelope I put in there with every receipt and the total build expense. 1528.83 for weapon only

[Biggerhammer]

How does it shoot Wildweeds? BHW barrel? Tried any of the Factory Hornady A-Max or SST's.

[Blacklab]

Hornseeker,

Upon rereading your original post,it sounds like your looking for exactly what I set out to put together.I went to my safe and looked at the envelope I put in there with every receipt and the total build expense. 1528.83 for weapon only

That will get her done!!!!!

[wildweeds]

JP barrell and bolt and Gas system,Young machine NM bolt group.Only ammo I've shot have been PMC and Black hills 55 FMJ,the fioochi and American federal 50 grain ballistic tip.I've got 2 boxes of fiocchi match 77's and 2 boxes of federal gold match 69 grainers to try.picture my buddy sent of my best group,i'm techno phone challenged. 200 meters,70 degrees lots of heat waves and my hat's off to the boys in the desert,shooting through mirage is a bugger.Like I said the gun is far more competant than I am.The pasters are covering single holes made by the 50 grain AR223 federal ammo,the group shown is Fioochi 50 grain extrema hunting vmax.I'll grab two boxes of the ammo you've mentioned and give them a whirl too!

How does it shoot Wildweeds? BHW barrel? Tried any of the Factory Hornady A-Max or SST's.

[wildweeds]

FYI Carpsniper has a Blackhole barrell special going,just posted it