Are Ballistic Advantage barrels accurate on your builds? I have a 20" on my Colt H-Bar. My Springfield Saint with 18" out shoots it!
- Thread starter Iron Worker
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What ammo? Not all guns shoot the same ammo the same……. Surely you know this……….
Most of mine have been 3-5rounds into an inch at 100 yards using decent ammo which to me is good enough for a carbine.
If you are wanting a good 20" heavy AR15 barrel for your colt hbar get a service rifle barrel from white oak imho.
I’ve built a few guns with BA, I would say they are extremely accurate for their price class, my opinion was they punched above their weight class.
The only BA I have is a Hanson and it'll pretty reliably shoot 5-shot groups right under an inch at 100yds. My better barrels will do .5-.75" at the same distance.
I've been shooting a ballistic advantage barrel for a few years on my night rifle, I struggled for a while until I removed the thread protector, now I'm running it supressed. mine shot superb with 70 grain Berger's but could only single load because of the length.
I settled on a 50 grain hollow point flat base, I think they are speer. With h322.
I settled on a 50 grain hollow point flat base, I think they are speer. With h322.
My first BA was a lemon. I got one fluke group that was down close to an inch, but it opened back up to near 2 MOA when I tried to duplicate it. That barrel was a 2 - 3 MOA barrel...and I tried for close to 200 rounds.
However, BA's customer service was awesome. After the usual round of questions to make sure it wasn't me...I had a new barrel on the way even before I sent the old one back in.
I barely tested the new barrel before giving the rifle to my dad, but it looked promising. Three shots of 62gr M855 actually got close to MOA.
Would I use them again? Maybe if other options were sold out. I'm not going to shit on BA though, as they did right in my eyes.
However, BA's customer service was awesome. After the usual round of questions to make sure it wasn't me...I had a new barrel on the way even before I sent the old one back in.
I barely tested the new barrel before giving the rifle to my dad, but it looked promising. Three shots of 62gr M855 actually got close to MOA.
Would I use them again? Maybe if other options were sold out. I'm not going to shit on BA though, as they did right in my eyes.
I’ve put a few in our rifles and in a buddies rifle. They all shoot really well. Could you get a better barrel for 2-3X the money? Sure. But it won’t shoot 2-3x better. Ours shoot .6-.75 MOA groups often so I have a hard time spending $400-$600 on an AR barrel. Especially when you can send a BA barrel for replacement if you aren’t happy with it. I’ve never had to take them up on that. Once I had to track down a big glob of copper at the gas port on a 6.5 cm barrel when it suddenly wouldn’t shoot anymore. But that could happen to any barrel and it went back to normal after dissolving the copper. From my sample of 3-4 they are an incredible value. Especially when compared to high priced barrels, which we have a few of.
all of the ones I've used in builds have been around moa, some under and some a touch above. The 'cheap' barrels that impress me are the KAK barrels. Have yet to get one that is over moa with all being right under or at moa
Friends don't let friends buy BA/Aero/Faxon barrels.
My 18" BA has been a disappointment. I have never gotten MOA or better with any factory ammo, and only maybe 3x with certain hand loads. Will never lock back on empty using AR Comp powder, and rarely when using H335. (I don't need suggestions to help that. Trust me, I've tried literally anything you could possibly come up with.)
I’ve had a few over the years. I think they’re the Savage barrels of the AR world. Some shoot like shit but most shoot better than they should. If you buy one, expect a 1.5moa barrel and be happy with anything better.
The best ones I’ve seen were the cheapest they offer. I bought a 16”, hbar, mid length, 5.56 chamber, melonited 4150 barrel on sale for $99. A friend of mine who’s a single dad wanted an AR so we used it on a “poverty precision” build for him. We used aero receivers, aero lpk, aero RE kit, an expo arms bcg, a Larue MBT trigger, and some off brand 15” FF handguard he found on sale for $39 at primary arms. I think the total build came in around $650. I was hoping for 1.5 moa with a decent hand load. That little rifle is a freak. With any decent ammo it shoots under moa. Hand loads using LC brass, 23.2gr xbr, wolf primers, and 73 or 77gr Berger’s, it usually shoots .6 moa (5rd groups). We’ve shot it out to 600 and it stays under moa at that distance. I talked him into spending big on optics. Lol he put a used 10x SS and a used Leupold dpp on it. He’s slayed a ton of pigs and yotes with it. It literally propagates the “just as good” mindset and I hate that rifle for it.
I did another for an in-law. We used a 16”, melonited, carbine gas, gov profile barrel on it. Same main parts as the other, better handguard. I was expecting 2moa but ended up with another poverty precision rifle. With Hornady 62gr hpbt bullets and xbr (I don’t have the exact charge wt handy) it prints .9-1moa 5 round groups at 100yds. The farthest I’ve shot it was to 400. 5 round groups were just over 4”. I’m sure it would do better with a better bullet. He was happy enough with it that he bought a basic reloading set up, primers, powder, a couple thousand once fired pieces of brass, and a box of 5000 62gr hpbt Hornady bullets.
The best ones I’ve seen were the cheapest they offer. I bought a 16”, hbar, mid length, 5.56 chamber, melonited 4150 barrel on sale for $99. A friend of mine who’s a single dad wanted an AR so we used it on a “poverty precision” build for him. We used aero receivers, aero lpk, aero RE kit, an expo arms bcg, a Larue MBT trigger, and some off brand 15” FF handguard he found on sale for $39 at primary arms. I think the total build came in around $650. I was hoping for 1.5 moa with a decent hand load. That little rifle is a freak. With any decent ammo it shoots under moa. Hand loads using LC brass, 23.2gr xbr, wolf primers, and 73 or 77gr Berger’s, it usually shoots .6 moa (5rd groups). We’ve shot it out to 600 and it stays under moa at that distance. I talked him into spending big on optics. Lol he put a used 10x SS and a used Leupold dpp on it. He’s slayed a ton of pigs and yotes with it. It literally propagates the “just as good” mindset and I hate that rifle for it.
I did another for an in-law. We used a 16”, melonited, carbine gas, gov profile barrel on it. Same main parts as the other, better handguard. I was expecting 2moa but ended up with another poverty precision rifle. With Hornady 62gr hpbt bullets and xbr (I don’t have the exact charge wt handy) it prints .9-1moa 5 round groups at 100yds. The farthest I’ve shot it was to 400. 5 round groups were just over 4”. I’m sure it would do better with a better bullet. He was happy enough with it that he bought a basic reloading set up, primers, powder, a couple thousand once fired pieces of brass, and a box of 5000 62gr hpbt Hornady bullets.
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I had an 18" on my mk12 clone that wouldn't shoot smaller than 1.25". They sent me an rma, but I hate sending gun parts back, so I sold it and got a BA grendel barrel, because I wanted to swap to grendel anyways. That barrel seems to shoot well with my hand loads. Right around 1 moa, which for a carbine with non premium components seems very acceptable to me.
I have an aero complete upper (223/556) that I assume came with a BA barrel. I haven’t shot it past 50 yards on paper, but it shoots ragged holes when I have. I’ve never had a miss with this gun that I couldn’t attribute to something that I did.
I built a 6.5 CM larger frame AR for my dad using a BA barrel that he inherited from his brother. It shoots sub moa with hornady black 140s.
I built a 6.5 CM larger frame AR for my dad using a BA barrel that he inherited from his brother. It shoots sub moa with hornady black 140s.
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I thought they said on m4carbine they use Rosco? Did that change?
M
@RUTGERS95
I looked in that thread, the only thing I saw was that their Sage Dynamics rifle used the roscoe barrels. I didn’t see a difinitive answer on the rest. Comparing the profiles and the font of the laser engraving on the barrels is where I drew the assumption that they were using BA barrels. This is as close to confirmation as Mike would get.
I’ll edit my post.
maybe they’ve changed.
@RUTGERS95
I looked in that thread, the only thing I saw was that their Sage Dynamics rifle used the roscoe barrels. I didn’t see a difinitive answer on the rest. Comparing the profiles and the font of the laser engraving on the barrels is where I drew the assumption that they were using BA barrels. This is as close to confirmation as Mike would get.
I’ll edit my post. Last edited:
I didn't read it the soglw thread, I read it in another thread where the centurion arms owner was a part of. Let me see if I can find it. you could be right but I'd find it odd they'd use different brands in their rifles unless they changed over.
I'm a fan of the rosco barrels, think they are very underrated as are the KAK barrels (green mtn)
Today was my birthday and with almost 2K in pocket I did this (see pic). Waiting on a Arken SH4 6-24x50 FFP scope. I have experience reloading .223, been shooting the platform since 1982 and retired in 2016, shot all the generations from the 1/12 to the 1/7. M193 to the MK262. It's time to make the jump up to 6mm ARC. Lets see how it goes. Happy birthday to me.
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My only BA was a 224 Valkyrie barrel, they used a reamer that made it impossible to get acceptable precision out of an AR platform with mag length restrictions. I am sure their battle rifle barrels are acceptable, and that you can find examples that are even acceptable for precision. The problem is that you are rolling the dice, for a precision application I would much rather spend more and get a Craddock or White Oak. For a battle rifle I would rather a Criterion for about the same price. Think just how many rounds it will take to shoot out any barrel in an AR15 platform compatible cartridge, on a cost per round basis the better barrels are well worth it.
I've used several Faxon barrels and never had 1 that didn't shoot extremely well. I've put together 3 - 6.5 Creedmoors with identical Faxon barrels 20 in nitrided. All shoot sub 1.5 in at 300 yds and most days around an inch. For an AR-10 platform I certainly can't complain about accuracy. My bud killed a yote at night with his off a tri-pod & white light at 409 yds. I had a Faxon 223 Wydle barrel that was simply unreal. A true tack driver even with factory ammo. Also a couple 308 AR barrels that their owners rave about.
Have an AR10 build with an 18" modern series BA barrel....I actually took the gun apart, because I couldn't believe it was shooting 1-1.5 MOA....when my 14.5 SOLGW AR15 was shooting sub moa.....
And as stated above....on 175 SMKS IMR4064 I can't get it to lock back, no matter how I adjust my block.
And as stated above....on 175 SMKS IMR4064 I can't get it to lock back, no matter how I adjust my block.
Hate to do it, but, I’m calling bullshit. Kind of fun to stir the pot…
I don’t trust your testing method. An AR10 shooting 1/3 MOA groups consistently is an unbelievable rifle. The type of rifle that most people spend thousands upon thousands of dollars for, am I to believe that this is repeatable for 10 five round groups? Five 10 ground groups?
My guess is that you have a rifle that from time to time manages to put three on top of each other, I don’t believe that you have a rifle which can stand up to true precision testing.
In my experience, BAs are more miss than hit. I ordered the last batch during the scarcity of parts a while back. Maybe QC was having a bad day, or the demand was causing rushing, but the machining on the bores was pretty miserable. The only barrel of 8 that I built on was consistently around 3"s with a variety of loads. I inspected three others and found them... shitty.
I have less experience with Rosco, but 3 of 3 have scoped very nicely, and the builds were all acceptably (very MOAish or better) accurate. I would say that Rosco outshoots its price point significantly. They are the biggest manufacturer I would choose in the $200 range.
I have less experience with Rosco, but 3 of 3 have scoped very nicely, and the builds were all acceptably (very MOAish or better) accurate. I would say that Rosco outshoots its price point significantly. They are the biggest manufacturer I would choose in the $200 range.
I really don't care what you think. My rifles perform and I really don't need to prove it to you or anyone else. Testing methods, shoot off a good rest on a bench, not hard to duplicate. Have very good loads with accurate bullets/powder. Good barrel/trigger/stock etc. One guy once told me that I should have his smith chamber my barrels, my reply was when the indicator reads 0 in 360 degrees how does he improve on that? I also just shot a 1 3/8" group with my 6.5 GAP at 515 yds thru a Burris 1.5x8 Tac scope so you can call bullshit on that also.
These are gas guns?
The 515 yd is not, all the Faxon barrels are on gas guns. The 515 was an American Rifle Co Archimedes action, Trigger Tech trigger, Dead Air Nomad 30, Lightweight chassis, and one of those junk Wilson barrels that won't shoot according to some. All I was doing was tuning in my dope with the can on, BUT 3 groups all were in that range. No they weren't 10 shot groups, all 3. More than good enough for a hunting rifle.
fan of the rosco barrels as well
try the kak barrels (green mtn blanks) as they are very good and punch way above the belt
I had a lemon BA barrel, best group I could get was about 3". Had to fight a bit to get a replacement, installed the replacement and it would hover right around 1" with 1 ammo. I ended up pitching it and put a 18" Criterion Core on it and that things is unbelievable Fiocchi 77gr is coming in about .3'-.5".
At the shop I gunsmith at most customers aren't capable or willing to spend the money on an optic and ammunition to really put the MOA guarantee to the test. So in my experience BA is a coin toss. Personally I'd go Criterion, WOA, X-Caliber, Proof, any of the big name manufacturers.
At the shop I gunsmith at most customers aren't capable or willing to spend the money on an optic and ammunition to really put the MOA guarantee to the test. So in my experience BA is a coin toss. Personally I'd go Criterion, WOA, X-Caliber, Proof, any of the big name manufacturers.
Right?! How many people actually throw a scope on their rifle to see what their rifle can actually shoot? How many of those people can actually shoot well enough and shoot enough rounds to give you an honest assessment? Answer - not many.
That's my experience as well, most are happy to just be around 1" at 100 yds anyway, let alone smaller than that.
I tell customers that if they want to test their system, put a higher quality optic on it, good ammo in it and proof it at 100 yds and then out to what your "max engagement" range is and see how it performs. If you can't get it to do it with higher quality optic then your red dot or LPVO won't make it any better.
I did a 10.3" Hanson build not that long ago and it scoped like garbage. The chamber was fine but the bore was full of corrosion. I didn't buy it for accuracy but now Ib really don't expect it to last long. Good thing it was on sale.
I had a fed of their standard 16” barrels I got on sale that I didn’t shoot much but what I did they shot pretty good. Then I bought one of their 18” SPR barrels on sale for like $80 and I was very surprised. It shot IMI Razorcore 77gr and a couple other factory loads 3/4 moa or better. It shot my 77gr Berger load almost 1/2moa. Then at about 1000 rounds it went to shit and was grouping 6”+. BA replaced it without hesitation and that barrel wouldn’t do better than 1.5-2moa with anything. They replaced it again and same story. Had it replaced one last time and sold the NIB barrel and will never touch another.
IMO BA is just another cheap crappy barrel that you’re most likely not going to get a winner.
IMO BA is just another cheap crappy barrel that you’re most likely not going to get a winner.
I'll have to upload a bore scope video of my 16" SPR barrel from them. I'm not an expert but parts of it look rough, the entire chamber seem to have some kind of odd chatter markings. I only shoot xm193 through it with a 1x4 scope. So haven't exactly tested the precision.
....like ANY product, you're going to hear both good & bad about BA barrels. The real truth of the matter is it is always a 50-50 proposition with any "off the shelf" barrel, so to speak. So many factors involved in the process of assembling an AR that can influence the accuracy performance that it isn't always the barrel alone that is the cause. Like many companies today, BA has a MOA guarantee. Follow their requirements and if it doesn't perform to their guarantee's standard, return it for replacement or refund.
ETA: Added my test result using FGMM 168 out of my 16" Hanson in .308 and my handload when I "proofed" the finished assembly. It met BA's guarantee.....I kept it.
ETA: Added my test result using FGMM 168 out of my 16" Hanson in .308 and my handload when I "proofed" the finished assembly. It met BA's guarantee.....I kept it.
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