AR-15 Barrel Advice

[kravi]

Hey folks, just looking for ideas and thoughts. Right now, in competitions, I'm running a custom AR-15 I built. Aero lower and upper, a5 buffer tube, springco green spring, and a5 buffer, a Silencerco Velos 556k can (upgraded from my 36m which has since been repurposed), and a bunch of other random crap that doesn't matter to my question. Right now I'm running, yes, I'll admit it, a BA Hanson Profile 13.9 with a mid-length gas system. While I can get roughly 1.5 MOA out of this, I generally get closer to 2.5 MOA with the crappy 55gr ammo I shoot for 2gun competitions (which is plenty fine).

Well, my barrel is starting to get a bit long in the tooth with roughly 12k rounds through it, and I'm going to need to replace it soon, and I'm trying to figure out where I want to go with this.

On the one hand, barrels are disposable, and the BA Hanson has served me just fine. At the same time, with the groups just beginning to open up (no keyholing yet, thankfully), I'm tempted to get something that might last a bit longer before failing.

So in short, I want the "perfect" barrel. Last forever, sub-moa, dirt cheap. Recognizing the impossibility of this, however, I'll compromise on something with similar (or better) accuracy than the BA Hanson. I'd like, in a unicorn filled world, to have something chrome-moly which will last longer, even CHF, but which isn't more than a hundred, or maybe two hundred, more than the BA Hanson. I really like the 13.9 length for me, and I do like the BA Hanson profile (not too tip heavy). Light barrels are flat out not appropriate for my use case, so medium to medium heavy is where I'm leaning (particularly because I run a can), and definitely want a mid-length gas system, not a carbine length.

Sorry for vomiting out this wall of text, but I figured context might help. It is both my competition rifle, and my "go to" GPR (not that I'll ever likely use it IRL outside of some creepy dreams I've occasionally had involving EMPs, zombies and leprechauns).

Cheers!

 

[jetjock07]

Geissele CHF or Craddock RTR barrel

 

[fedupflyer]

Criterion.

 

[Old Man with Gun]

Doing mag dumps in 2-gun using bulk 55g ammo and only needing 2.5 MOA I would get another In the class of what just lasted you 12k rounds. A true match grade would not show an advantage with bulk ammo and lose its advantage over a good barrel quickly with what you do. I have several BA Hanson and they do the job well.

 

[db2000]

Check this out.

20" White Oak Krieger "New Owners" Build & Test

I reached out to the new Owners of White Oak who purchased WOA from John and moved everything out to Nevada. I had a nice long conversation with Mary, her and her husband are the new Owners. She told me they hired a AMU retired gunsmith to run the machines and their goal was to keep the...

www.snipershide.com

 

[erik72]

I have two of the LW 16" barrels that I describe to my friends as "boringly accurate". They're a little pricier than they were a few years ago but definitely worth considering.

https://www.lothar-walther.com/

 

[WeR0206]

Hey folks, just looking for ideas and thoughts. Right now, in competitions, I'm running a custom AR-15 I built. Aero lower and upper, a5 buffer tube, springco green spring, and a5 buffer, a Silencerco Velos 556k can (upgraded from my 36m which has since been repurposed), and a bunch of other random crap that doesn't matter to my question. Right now I'm running, yes, I'll admit it, a BA Hanson Profile 13.9 with a mid-length gas system. While I can get roughly 1.5 MOA out of this, I generally get closer to 2.5 MOA with the crappy 55gr ammo I shoot for 2gun competitions (which is plenty fine).

Well, my barrel is starting to get a bit long in the tooth with roughly 12k rounds through it, and I'm going to need to replace it soon, and I'm trying to figure out where I want to go with this.

On the one hand, barrels are disposable, and the BA Hanson has served me just fine. At the same time, with the groups just beginning to open up (no keyholing yet, thankfully), I'm tempted to get something that might last a bit longer before failing.

So in short, I want the "perfect" barrel. Last forever, sub-moa, dirt cheap. Recognizing the impossibility of this, however, I'll compromise on something with similar (or better) accuracy than the BA Hanson. I'd like, in a unicorn filled world, to have something chrome-moly which will last longer, even CHF, but which isn't more than a hundred, or maybe two hundred, more than the BA Hanson. I really like the 13.9 length for me, and I do like the BA Hanson profile (not too tip heavy). Light barrels are flat out not appropriate for my use case, so medium to medium heavy is where I'm leaning (particularly because I run a can), and definitely want a mid-length gas system, not a carbine length.

Sorry for vomiting out this wall of text, but I figured context might help. It is both my competition rifle, and my "go to" GPR (not that I'll ever likely use it IRL outside of some creepy dreams I've occasionally had involving EMPs, zombies and leprechauns).

Cheers!

From what you described Id look at the following barrels (nitrided 416R or chrome lined 4150):

• Geissele 14.5” Mid-length CHF Chrome Lined 4150 heavy profile ($280)
• Rosco K9 13.9” 5.56 Mid-length Nitrided 416R Continuous Taper Barrel ($225)
• Sionics 14.8” Medium Contour Mid Gas 41V50 Chrome Lined 5.56 Barrel ($225) (get with headspaced bolt and custom fit gas block)
• Griffin Armament 16” 223 Wylde 1:8 Mid length Nitrided 416R barrel ($290)
• SOLGW 16” 223 Wylde 416R Nitrided Mid-length 1:7 SRP Barrel (3 groove polygonal) ($280)
• Blackhole Weaponry Custom 16” 223 Wylde 1:8 416R nitrided (3 groove polygonal) ($380)

If it were me Id go with the geissele heavy barrel that’s currently on sale at Primary Arms for $280. That’s a lot of barrel for the $$$.

 

[db2000]

Sub MOA guarantee and dirt cheap. I wouldn’t go as far as “the perfect barrel” lol
Definitely disposable for $59. I bought a couple and they look good. Haven’t shot them. Supposedly Del-Ton stock someone said on here.

16" 5.56 NATO 1:7 Twist Phosphate + Chrome-Lined Midlength Heavy Barrel

This” Heavy Phosphate + Chrome Lined barrel from NBS is chambered in with 1:7 twist rate. Buy with confidence, all barrels are backed by our satisfaction and low price guarantee. Get it now!

ar15discounts.com

 

[WeR0206]

Sub MOA guarantee and dirt cheap. I wouldn’t go as far as “the perfect barrel” lol
Definitely disposable for $59. I bought a couple and they look good. Haven’t shot them. Supposedly Del-Ton stock someone said on here.

16" 5.56 NATO 1:7 Twist Phosphate + Chrome-Lined Midlength Heavy Barrel

This” Heavy Phosphate + Chrome Lined barrel from NBS is chambered in with 1:7 twist rate. Buy with confidence, all barrels are backed by our satisfaction and low price guarantee. Get it now!

ar15discounts.com

Wow, $60 is a hell of a deal for a 16” heavy chrome lined barrel with a 1 moa guarantee! I would definitely go this route if these barrels are legit.

 

[db2000]

Wow, $60 is a hell of a deal for a 16” heavy chrome lined barrel with a 1 moa guarantee!! Is def go this route if these barrels are legit

Read the description on the website. They seem to think they’re legit.

 

[WeR0206]

Read the description on the website. They seem to think they’re legit.

Right, as expected the people trying to sell it say it’s legit, but im curious if people who have actually shot them say they’re legit.

But As you mentioned the price is so low its worth taking a gamble on. If it sucks use it as a spare/beater

 

[matt33]

I'm not trying to sway you into spending more money on a barrel, but I think people look at the price of a barrel without factoring in the full cost.

It can cost $5,000 - $10,000 in ammunition to wear out a barrel. If spending an extra couple hundred dollars on the front end gives me noticeably better performance, it is a no-brainer to me. I always buy premium barrels for this reason. Barrels are a consumable, and they are dirt cheap compared to the ammunition required to wear one out.

For your use case, I would buy either a Criterion, SOLGW, DD, or a Geissele and be done.

Regarding any sub-moa guarantee, I put very little faith in those, maybe for an expensive complete rifle, but even then it's not a factor in my decision.

Bartlein barrels come with no accuracy guarantee, and that's what I buy when I want absolute precision. I've also been able to cherry pick a three round group with the cheapest barrels I ever owned using the cheapest ammo I've ever used, eventually the stars will align and you'll get a three round group that is less than 1 inch at 100 yards

 

[Old Man with Gun]

I just want to call out OP is using cheap 55gr ammo for race games. The limiting factor for accuracy will be the ammo, far more than the barrel.

I like quality barrels too, but talking about sub MOA guarantees is irrelevant with this ammo and I'd hate to do mag dumps on an expensive barrel. Better to stay cheap and replace more often as it will be throat erosion / cracking and not if it was hand lapped after the first 500 rounds.

 

[Laseredge]

Geissele Automatics For Sale

Find the best products for Geissele Automatics For Sale at Primary Arms. We offer industry-leading customer service & fast shipping.

www.primaryarms.com

Geissele on sale now at PA.

 

[db2000]

Geissele Automatics For Sale

Find the best products for Geissele Automatics For Sale at Primary Arms. We offer industry-leading customer service & fast shipping.

www.primaryarms.com

Geissele on sale now at PA.

They’re always on sale at PA lol

 

[db2000]

I just want to call out OP is using cheap 55gr ammo for race games. The limiting factor for accuracy will be the ammo, far more than the barrel.

I like quality barrels too, but talking about sub MOA guarantees is irrelevant with this ammo and I'd hate to do mag dumps on an expensive barrel. Better to stay cheap and replace more often as it will be throat erosion / cracking and not if it was hand lapped after the first 500 rounds.

Exactly. Also he literally spelled out what he wanted. Accurate and dirt cheap basically lol

 

[LRRPF52]

We typically spend more money on gas, match fees, and food for the trip to and from the range than the low price point barrels.

No reason to even entertain the idea of cheap barrels, unless you’re getting a deal on a factory blow-out/inventory clearance sale from reputable brands from periods of time in their history where they actually made a consistent, quality product.

The JP Cryogenic-treated barrels are known performers in accuracy and longevity for high volume close range/intermediate range matches.

A buddy of mine gave me what he thought was a burned-out JP 18” RLGS barrel with the thin profile under the handguard, radiators, and muzzle brake.

I built it into a nice AR and the thing still shot 1/2 MOA groups with 69gr SMK, and even bug-holed with 55gr .223 Rem. My buddy said he ran M855 through it by the case doing DM courses up at Lewis for the Striker Brigades back in the 2000s.

There are several JPs that had over 25,000 rounds though them that still held MOA, even with noticeable throat erosion to the naked eye.

If I was shooting 2-Gun in .223, JP would be an easy answer for me. With a can, I’d look at the 14.5” MLGS with maybe a RifleSpeed AGB and get the gun tuned. Those Thermal Dissipators actually work on the JP barrels when shooting high volume, and are a great combo to the overall system. You won’t see a difference between a high-end barrel and the JP with Thermal Dissipator fins shooting a few groups for accuracy/precision comparison, but you will see the JP retain its point of aim/point of impact better over long strings of fire.

 

[kravi]

Thanks for the advice guys. I ended up picking up a Criterian CORE 13.9" on sale somewhere for around $280 (and a $15 gas tube to replace the old one).

Cheers!

 

[WeR0206]

We typically spend more money on gas, match fees, and food for the trip to and from the range than the low price point barrels.

No reason to even entertain the idea of cheap barrels, unless you’re getting a deal on a factory blow-out/inventory clearance sale from reputable brands from periods of time in their history where they actually made a consistent, quality product.

The JP Cryogenic-treated barrels are known performers in accuracy and longevity for high volume close range/intermediate range matches.

A buddy of mine gave me what he thought was a burned-out JP 18” RLGS barrel with the thin profile under the handguard, radiators, and muzzle brake.

I built it into a nice AR and the thing still shot 1/2 MOA groups with 69gr SMK, and even bug-holed with 55gr .223 Rem. My buddy said he ran M855 through it by the case doing DM courses up at Lewis for the Striker Brigades back in the 2000s.

There are several JPs that had over 25,000 rounds though them that still held MOA, even with noticeable throat erosion to the naked eye.

If I was shooting 2-Gun in .223, JP would be an easy answer for me. With a can, I’d look at the 14.5” MLGS with maybe a RifleSpeed AGB and get the gun tuned. Those Thermal Dissipators actually work on the JP barrels when shooting high volume, and are a great combo to the overall system. You won’t see a difference between a high-end barrel and the JP with Thermal Dissipator fins shooting a few groups for accuracy/precision comparison, but you will see the JP retain its point of aim/point of impact better over long strings of fire.

I initially thought the JP barrels were more expensive but they actually aren't that bad for high $400's when you consider they come with a headspaced bolt.

JP Supermatch 16” 223 Wylde 1:8 Cryo Treated 416R (includes headspaced DLC bolt) ($495)

 

[WeR0206]

Thanks for the advice guys. I ended up picking up a Criterian CORE 13.9" on sale somewhere for around $280 (and a $15 gas tube to replace the old one).

Cheers!

That should hopefully get the job done and it's a good deal money wise. One thing to note, the CORE barrels are more of a lightweight profile (with .625" gas block journal) which is kind of the opposite of what you spec'd out in the OP (Heavy profile).

 

[Old Man with Gun]

Let us know how it grows with your bulk 55gr. Curious how much of a difference it makes.

 

[supercorndogs]

Thanks for the advice guys. I ended up picking up a Criterian CORE 13.9" on sale somewhere for around $280 (and a $15 gas tube to replace the old one).

Cheers!

My Criterion not sure if it's core or hybrid contour. It's chrome lined .750 contour, it heavey. Shoots decent ammo into 1 moa.

It's hybrid contour after reading above.

Shot the four then adjusted the zero where I wanted it. There are actually 5 shot at the circle on the left also but that was kneeling once I had a zero.

 

[db2000]

Thanks for the advice guys. I ended up picking up a Criterian CORE 13.9" on sale somewhere for around $280 (and a $15 gas tube to replace the old one).

Cheers!

What!?!
For that price you could get a 14.5” Geissele heavy, which people rave about it’s accuracy on here.