308 barrels

[cloverleaf22]

Anyone have experience with Proof Stainless, Lothar Walther, Lilja, or Shilen AR-308 barrels and/or know how I could expect one to stack up against a custom krieger or bartlein turned by Craddock or CLE? I was also wondering what everyone's experience has been in regards to barrel profile and accuracy and their thoughts on what a good balance between weight and rigidity is for a precision oriented large frame AR. I know lighter barrels heat up and shift quickly but was more curious what type of if any diminished accuracy I could expect with a thinner profile barrel such as the Lilja AR-10740 which is .75" from shortly after the barrel extension to the muzzle compared to something with a bit more meat behind the gas block. As far as higher end ready to ship 18-20" options go, there's the Lilja at like 2.3lb and the others listed at 3.5-4lb but there doesn't seem to be much in the middle.

 

[GhostFace]

I’m on my second Lothar Walther , the first one was made by angels! That thing shot like a bolt gun! I have not had time to really test this 2nd barrel for accuracy but from what little I have shot it, it appears to be sub MOA but not like the stainless steel one as before, this one is nitrided so it may take a while to settle down….

 

[Bungi]

My only experience with Lothar Walther barrels are those on AI bolt rifles -- I believe Lothar Walther used to provide most of the factory barrels for AI -- and they were incredibly accurate.

No experience with Lothar Walther's AR barrels, but if the quality is the same as those AI used, I would not hesitate to get one.

 

[cloverleaf22]

Thanks for the input everyone, I'm going with a L.W.

I can either go with 1.00" under the handguard, .875 gas block, and .850" after the gas block, or I can go with .890 under the handguard and .750" from the gas block to muzzle. The latter being about 1/2 pound lighter. Thoughts?

 

[GhostFace]

They have pre-made 18 and 20 inch .875 and they come with a matched bolt. If you don't need the bolt you can sell it and it comes out even cheaper. If you deviate from the pre-made barrels it is considered a custom barrel and it cost more.

 

[cloverleaf22]

They have pre-made 18 and 20 inch .875 and they come with a matched bolt. If you don't need the bolt you can sell it and it comes out even cheaper. If you deviate from the pre-made barrels it is considered a custom barrel and it cost more.

They have both in premades, the KA profile is the 1.000/.875gb/.850 profile and the Vartac is the .890/.750gb/.740 profile. I was pretty much settled on the vartac but now I'm kind of second guessing.

 

[GhostFace]

I guess I didn't see those...

 

[Mike_in_FL]

8 oz. in the barrel would only matter if you're carrying it to me. I'd take the extra material to heat up longer (and cool down longer) if it were mine.

 

[RUTGERS95]

I’m on my second Lothar Walther , the first one was made by angels! That thing shot like a bolt gun! I have not had time to really test this 2nd barrel for accuracy but from what little I have shot it, it appears to be sub MOA but not like the stainless steel one as before, this one is nitrided so it may take a while to settle down….

best barrels imho

 

[cloverleaf22]

I guess I didn't see those...

Yeah I had to email them, the website doesn't really say.

8 oz. in the barrel would only matter if you're carrying it to me. I'd take the extra material to heat up longer (and cool down longer) if it were mine.

I ended up going with the heavy profile. I figure with intent to add a bipod and maybe a suppressor in the future it's already going to be heavy, and with the goal being accuracy I might as well make the best of it. What's another 1/2lb.