AR15 barrel experiences and recommendations

[jimh406]

Green Mountain Barrel or Blackstone Arms/AR Performance

 

[Cdnance]

The best one I currently have is a 14.6" PSA CHF barrel. It's very accurate with pmc x'tac factory ammo. It's also quite a bit cheaper than some of the higher end brand barrels

Do they make their own barrels, or is it private label?

 

[cal30_sniper]

For the price range I have 3 recommendations:

1. Criterion. Core is my favorite. Lots of guys recommending these, there’s a good reason for that.
2. Rainier Arms. I’ve had awesome luck with their match and ultramatch barrels in several different calibers now. Zero duds. My 6CM barrel has put down a 30rd 1.1MOA group.
3. Odin Works. Again, I’ve had great luck with these. Quality stainless barrels that have been reliably accurate. They make a midweight barrel that sounds just like what you’re looking for.

Don’t overlook a pinned and welded 14.5”. I’ve done two of those. Short, but without having to
worry about NFA paperwork and crossing state lines. 16” is fine too, but look hard at Midlength gas for a 16” rifle. It really helps soften recoil impulse. I’m a fan of the midlength gas 16s that I’ve built with A5 buffer tubes.

 

[cal30_sniper]

Also, I wouldn’t waste time trying to accurize an AR upper. Get a blemished BCM upper. They’re cheap, well made (including internal moly coating) and have slightly undersized barrel shanks for accuracy (you generally need to heat them up to install the barrel).

Pair that upper with a quality BCG (there are several good options here, find a good one on sale). A decent LPK and a free float handguard will get you up and running without a bunch of futzing with things like lapping that won’t make a difference on a good upper.

Invest the rest in a rock solid scope mount and scope and have fun.

 

[coyotekilla]

So that's a bearcreek 1:7 sidecharger shooting a 69gr sierra tgk. 3 in .387. Now not every $220 bear creek will do this, but I'm 2 for 3. The 1 that didn't I replaced with a shaw barrel (6.5 grendel) and it's 5 into a ragged hole. Note, I consider this to be dumb luck not what I'd expect every 1 to do. The lower is an aero precision I built, with a triggertech diamond 2.5lb trigger in it as well.

 

[coyotekilla]

Any feedback on Shaw? I actually already purchased their 18" spiral fluted in 6mm ARC but I won't be able to finish the build and shoot it for a while so this thread made me curious.

I have a shaw on my 6.5 grendel. Very happy with it, 5 into a ragged hole. Doing load development there.

 

[Johnboy041586]

Do they make their own barrels, or is it private label?

There made by FNH

 

[rabbithuntr]

I recently bought a sionics barrel they make some that are gassed for suppressors, I haven’t had a chance to test accuracy yet though but I did pair with a BCM upper which fit tight, which was what I was hoping.

 

[VuduDoc]

Criterion Core
White Oak SPR

Up a price tier: Noveske Recon

All stainless steel.

 

[TradLife406]

I have a shaw on my 6.5 grendel. Very happy with it, 5 into a ragged hole. Doing load development there.View attachment 884641

My Shaw must have been a fluke. Almost 3" with a box of eldm factory. sending it back for a refund.


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[SEtoNWHunter]

My favorite 5.56 barrels are Noveske and Larue. I wish the Larue 5.56 PredatAR barrels were still available.

I've had really good results with FN CHF barrels too ( direct from FN or from Palmetto or Spikes Tactical). Centurion are good too. I haven't tried a Criterion or White Oak, but they get a lot of positive reviews.