AR barrels

[KDK]

Hi all,

Let's talk AR barrels. I own a bushmaster AR 15 with a 16 inch 1 in 9'' twist factory barrel. I found that the accuracy of the rifle was really lacking in any shooting greater than 50 yards. Sure, I can hit pie plates but I want itty bitty groups I decided to make it a project to accurize the rifle with a free float tube and new barrel. I am looking for suggestions on a barrel to put in the rifle. Side note (thanks to the Mass welded muzzle break it's a whole project to remove the barrel and handguards for accommodating a free float tube and new gas block. Thanks to a kind machinist friend this was possible but not easy humph.).

I enjoy shooting benchrest and prone at 100 -300 yards. I would like a barrel that can accommodate that type of shooting with both factory and handloaded ammunition. Ideally, with the smallest groups possible. I don't want to get a 22'' or 24'' barrel. I'd like to keep the rifle as close to carbine configuration as possible. I.e. 16'' or 18'' barrel (I don't think that's too much to ask for shooting 300 yard maximum). I am a bit confused by all the different barrels in the Midway catalog. Which one is best? (Noveske is a bit out of my price range). I would like to go with a fluted barrel for both aesthetics and weight saving purposes.

Advise me....

 

[jasons]

For what you're describing I would get a White Oak barrel and build a DMR clone. http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/

(They're not exactly cheap, but they are accurate.)



PS, it's a brake not a break...

 

[canislupy]

I went with the Noveske 18" SPR, but I hear WOA is just as good for less coin.

6 shot group at right is @ 100 yards, 1.125". 77gr Black Hills. I think the group on left was their factory reman, though the flier was likely my fault. This is bipod on bench (no rear rest, so I still had to use some [alleged] skill...). I have not shot quite this well since, but it's been cold! Need me some warmer weather.

Edit: I missed that you said Noveske was out of your price range, in which case I would definitely go WOA as jasons suggested if you can swing it.

 

[Gammon]

What weight and make of bullets are you currently using? I built my first AR with a DPMS 1/9 bull barrel and was quite disappointed with the 1.5 in five shot groups I got with IMI 55gr bullets. A switch to 69gr HPBT Sierra bullets yielded a .343 in group at 100 yds for five shots. It might be the ammo, not the barrel.

 

[Smash05]

I have a hard time believing that its just the barrel. What kind of ammo are you using. Most AR's should give you better than Pie Plate sized groups at 100 yards. And remember that if you have a 2MOA gun at 100 yards, your groups will be 6 inches at 300 - usually.

 

[beaker]

I would also take a look at Superior Barrels and Compass Lake Engineering.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

[1903Collector]

I have a hard time believing that its just the barrel. What kind of ammo are you using. Most AR's should give you better than Pie Plate sized groups at 100 yards. .

Is that "minute of pie plate" ?

 

[KDK]

Thanks for the advice thus far. Regarding my previous groupings, naturally they ranged depending on the ammo and weight I was shooting. The pie plate reference was appropriate when shooting 55 gr. Nato ball. I expected that ammo to group better than it performed through my rifle. Obviously that isn't match ammo but nonetheless. Certainly ammo plays a large part into group size and consistency.

However, I have already made the decision to upgrade the barrel so any advice regarding the appropriate barrel for the shooting I do is appreciated. Thanks again to those that have chimed in. I will begin researching the suggestions anon. As a side note, what would be a reasonable asking price for the factory barrel should I desire to sell or trade it to offset the costs of the upgrades?

 

[PaulD]

For what you're describing I would get a White Oak barrel and build a DMR clone. http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/

(They're not exactly cheap, but they are accurate.)



PS, it's a brake not a break...

Another vote for White Oak.

I should qualify my vote with the fact that I've only shot my newly built AR at 25yds. At that distance though, it was putting multiple rounds in the same hole. Mine has a 18" SPR barrel and it was cheaper than the competition (Noveske, Rainier Arms) from what I could find.

 

[jasons]

Another vote for White Oak.

There's got to be a reason why so many competitive highpower shooters use White Oak barrels. Based on my completely made up BS statistics it's probably around 75% White Oak, 20% Compass Lake, and 5% "other."

 

[PaulD]

There's got to be a reason why so many competitive highpower shooters use White Oak barrels. Based on my completely made up BS statistics it's probably around 75% White Oak, 20% Compass Lake, and 5% "other."

FWIW, Rainier Arms has their own brand of barrels and they seem to have a very good rep. Rainier told me that White Oak machines the barrels for them and the difference is Rainier specs a different blank. That seems to be another implicit vote in favor of White Oak.

 

[Supermoto]

I have had good luck with WOA and Lothar Walthar

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

I have had good luck with WOA and Lothar Walthar

Nice groups, but I'm more interested in your splits.

 

[Supermoto]

Nice groups, but I'm more interested in your splits.

noHomo.

 

[bpm990d]

There's got to be a reason why so many competitive highpower shooters use White Oak barrels. Based on my completely made up BS statistics it's probably around 75% White Oak, 20% Compass Lake, and 5% "other."

I think it comes down to a couple of things. The fact that John is at Perry every year and does very well with his gear helps him tremendously. The other thing is the economics of a Krieger; Bartlein; Obermayer or other premium barrel simply don't make sense to most HP shooters when the performance/endurance difference is so slight. They are probably twice as expensive as a White Oak.

B

 

[PatMcD]

Most Highpower guys I know, me included, change out barrels every 2000-4000 rds. The reason is because they start to have a few fliers at 600yds. These barrels will still hold sub-MOA at 200yds. You might find one for sale locally for $100 or so (that's what I'd sell mine for). I don't have a take-off at present, but might in a couple of months.