Hello everyone. I would like to rebarrel my 5.56 / .223. I would like to have the possibility of shooting to 600 max. What would you reccommend?
New DPMS barrel
- Thread starter Scooter6512
- Start date
Well...that's about ZERO useful information from you in terms of helping you narrow down what might be some good barrel options for you.
What particular options/features/etc. are you looking for in your barrel? Did you have a particular length in mind? Are you wanting to switch calibers or stick with .223/5.56? What kinds of ammo, and bullets, are you planning on running in the rifle (i.e. - if sticking with .223/5.56, are you ONLY running .223 Remington ammo or are you mixing 5.56 NATO with it as well...makes a big difference in what chamber you will want/need)? Is this a range toy only or are you planning on running it in comps where weight, barrel length, etc. might play a key role in selecting a particular set of features/options? What is your budget? How long are you prepared to wait (i.e. - are you wanting an "off the shelf" tube or a true custom one)? etc., etc., etc., etc.
Some addt'l info from you would probably help this discussion along immensely.
Sorry about the lack of information. Theres so much to learn on these its crazy. No comps with this rifle, just prarie dog towns. I do hand load both 5.56 and 223. I prefer vmax but I'm also open to suggestions. I would like to keep the barrel cost effective and I'm open to length suggestions.
Thanks for the advice. I'm a complete noob and need all the help I can get!
Thanks for the advice. I'm a complete noob and need all the help I can get!
No worries...gotta start learning somewhere sometime. 
For p-dogs and for long-range use out to the effective range of a .223/5.56 AR at mag-lengths, the v-max is a good choice for the doggies, but for longer ranges, you'll want to move up to heavier, match type bullets like the 75gr and 77gr offerings for example (Berger, Sierra, Nosler and Hornady all make good fodder in that range for reloading purposes) with the higher BCs that will actually perform at extended ranges compared to the lighter, varmint weight bullets which do NOT. Having shot more than a few varmints with the match stuff before...it'll more than do the job and work far better for you at the longer ranges (unless the laws in NE prohibit you from using "match" or like ammo for hunting purposes that is...even vermin control).
As for barrels...I'd opt for a 1:8 twist which should allow you to run the heavies that I mentioned, right along with the middle-weight 50-53gr V-maxes.
Since you won't be running and gunning with the rifle, and your hunting won't involve a lot of humping the rifle all over the place, I wouldn't be too concerned with weight or length of the barrel. There are laws of diminishing returns with extremely long barrels, especially on an AR, but I'd suggest at least a 20" tube (or up to 24" if you don't mind more length/weight) so that you get the most MV possible with the heavier pills for longer range use. As for the chamber...that's your call. I'd personally opt for a Wylde chamber rather than a .223 Remington (Match or otherwise) or a 5.56 NATO chamber as that will give you the best of both worlds so that you can safely and accurately run both .223 and 5.56 loads/ammo.
Cost effective is a relative term, but custom will ultimately get you the most accurate barrel combo possible, as well as ensure that it is properly headspaced to your existing bolt if you provide said bolt to the barrel maker who'll do the work for you. If you go that route (and don't mind a LONG wait), then companies like Krieger can set you up with one of their Varmatch barrels for a very reasonable cost (again...reasonable is pretty subjective). There are numerous other custom barrel makers that can probably assist you...if you want to go that route, I'm sure that I and many others here can point you in the right direction. Whatever you do, I recommend getting a matched/headspaced bolt with any new barrel whether you go custom or off-the-shelf, or at a minimum, if you don't, get your headspacing checked out if you elect to save cost and run your existing bolt with any new barrel.
In terms of production barrels, there are a whole host of options. White Oak Armament is an excellent sources for some of the best AR barrels on the market, but their lead times are roughly 5mos out at this point as they are still recovering from the surge around the first of the year. They offer excellent barrels in a variety of configurations (and are also stocked at some of the retailers mentioned momentarily). You can also often find Krieger barrels in stock and ready to ship from places like Brownells, MidwayUSA, Fulton Armory, etc. Always a good option as their barrels are among the best in the business. Also, in addition to aforementioned sources...Rainier Arms, DSG Arms, Bravo Co and many other major AR retailers stock some high quality barrels, including Krieger, Criterion, Lilja, etc. in a variety of configurations. Have a look at those spots and see if anything strikes your fancy.
For p-dogs and for long-range use out to the effective range of a .223/5.56 AR at mag-lengths, the v-max is a good choice for the doggies, but for longer ranges, you'll want to move up to heavier, match type bullets like the 75gr and 77gr offerings for example (Berger, Sierra, Nosler and Hornady all make good fodder in that range for reloading purposes) with the higher BCs that will actually perform at extended ranges compared to the lighter, varmint weight bullets which do NOT. Having shot more than a few varmints with the match stuff before...it'll more than do the job and work far better for you at the longer ranges (unless the laws in NE prohibit you from using "match" or like ammo for hunting purposes that is...even vermin control).
As for barrels...I'd opt for a 1:8 twist which should allow you to run the heavies that I mentioned, right along with the middle-weight 50-53gr V-maxes.
Since you won't be running and gunning with the rifle, and your hunting won't involve a lot of humping the rifle all over the place, I wouldn't be too concerned with weight or length of the barrel. There are laws of diminishing returns with extremely long barrels, especially on an AR, but I'd suggest at least a 20" tube (or up to 24" if you don't mind more length/weight) so that you get the most MV possible with the heavier pills for longer range use. As for the chamber...that's your call. I'd personally opt for a Wylde chamber rather than a .223 Remington (Match or otherwise) or a 5.56 NATO chamber as that will give you the best of both worlds so that you can safely and accurately run both .223 and 5.56 loads/ammo.
Cost effective is a relative term, but custom will ultimately get you the most accurate barrel combo possible, as well as ensure that it is properly headspaced to your existing bolt if you provide said bolt to the barrel maker who'll do the work for you. If you go that route (and don't mind a LONG wait), then companies like Krieger can set you up with one of their Varmatch barrels for a very reasonable cost (again...reasonable is pretty subjective). There are numerous other custom barrel makers that can probably assist you...if you want to go that route, I'm sure that I and many others here can point you in the right direction. Whatever you do, I recommend getting a matched/headspaced bolt with any new barrel whether you go custom or off-the-shelf, or at a minimum, if you don't, get your headspacing checked out if you elect to save cost and run your existing bolt with any new barrel.
In terms of production barrels, there are a whole host of options. White Oak Armament is an excellent sources for some of the best AR barrels on the market, but their lead times are roughly 5mos out at this point as they are still recovering from the surge around the first of the year. They offer excellent barrels in a variety of configurations (and are also stocked at some of the retailers mentioned momentarily). You can also often find Krieger barrels in stock and ready to ship from places like Brownells, MidwayUSA, Fulton Armory, etc. Always a good option as their barrels are among the best in the business. Also, in addition to aforementioned sources...Rainier Arms, DSG Arms, Bravo Co and many other major AR retailers stock some high quality barrels, including Krieger, Criterion, Lilja, etc. in a variety of configurations. Have a look at those spots and see if anything strikes your fancy.
In my 16" sweet sixteen, its a 1-9 and i shoot 68s to 600 and am very very consistant on water bottles. The short barrel does make it the hardest of my guns to shoot though since there isnt much for forward weight. A better trigger would go a long ways tho...
Path of least resistance is to just buy another upper.
If you don't mind big and heavy:
Stag Arms Model 6H Complete Upper
If you don't mind big and heavy:
Stag Arms Model 6H Complete Upper
The Stag Arms Model 6H series of uppers builds upon Stag Arms' known reputation for excellence and brings it to the next level. Guaranteed 1/2 MOA the Model 6H and 6HL features a 24 inch stainless steel heavy barrel with 1/8 twist, a Stag Arms free float tube and gas block.
Wow. Don't think I have seen 1/2 moa "guaranteed" on a gas upper before. Who makes the barrels?
Thanks for all of the information, I appreciate it. It sounds like the complete upper is the way to go. I think I will just build another one and use what I have now for plinking.
