Barrels these days for a off the shelf build

[Dildobaggins]

Been a few years since I've done an AR build. Looking to do a 6.5 grendel or 6 arc for target and hunting.

Wondering what barrels for off the shelf builds people are using? WOA won't do a barrel off the grendel case. Which is what I originally was going to do. Right now I'm looking at a lilja, craddock RTR or rainer ultra match. Am I missing anyone that offers a great off the shelf barrel?

I had a criterion in 6.5 Grendel for a couple years and it didn't really impress me.

Thanks fellas.

 

[WeR0206]

Been a few years since I've done an AR build. Looking to do a 6.5 grendel or 6 arc for target and hunting.

Wondering what barrels for off the shelf builds people are using? WOA won't do a barrel off the grendel case. Which is what I originally was going to do. Right now I'm looking at a lilja, craddock RTR or rainer ultra match. Am I missing anyone that offers a great off the shelf barrel?

I had a criterion in 6.5 Grendel for a couple years and it didn't really impress me.

Thanks fellas.

Here are my favs for off the shelf 6 arc AR barrels in no particular order. Note the blackhole and x-caliber aren’t technically off the shelf (custom) but they seem to ship out within a few weeks/don’t have crazy lead times.

I’d try to stick with options that come with a headspaced bolt so Noveske, PVA Osprey, Craddock RTR, or X-Caliber would be my recommendation with a nod to the PVA Osprey for better machine work compared to the others.

I personally have built two 6 arc uppers one from PVA and one from blackhole and they both shot sub moa 10 shot groups during the first break in session (50 shots). Blackhole is 3 groove polygonal rifling which you may or may not want.

• Noveske 18” SS barrel with gas block, gas tube, & JP headspaced bolt ($540) (gas port on 14.5” is 0.074”)
• Blackhole Weaponry Custom AR15 Barrel - 6 ARC 416R Nitrided 5/8x24 threads (polygonal) (standard, SPR, or national match profile) ($380)
• Rosco 6mm ARC Purebred (16” or 20”) SPR barrel ($250)
• Craddock RTR 6 ARC 16” Intermediate w/ muzzle threads (+$60 for headspaced bolt) ($350)
• X-Caliber Custom AR Barrel 6 ARC 18” (add Rubber City headspaced bolt for +$110) ($387) (Total: $497)
• Patriot Valley Arms - Osprey 18” 6 ARC barrel with rifle +2 ($399) (add headspaced Rubber City bolt for $125) (Total: $524)
• Proof Research 18” (rifle +1) barrel with muzzle threads (with JP headspaced bolt?) ($489)
• Proof 16” 6 ARC Rifle length (# 128664) ($480)

If you need help with other 6 arc build part recommendations like bcg’s and mags feel free to ask. Im sure others will chime in.

 

[flogxal]

I can vouch for 18" Proof stainless steel 6 ARC, 16" Lilja 6.5 Grendel (SixSigma arms), and 20" OdinWorks 6.5 Grendel DMR.

The Proof 6 ARC shot excellent for about 250 rds and then Proof had a recall on the extensions, I have not shot the new extension yet. Just finished reassembling that upper last night. Tomorrow I'm shooting the Proof and the Lilja, I'll post some groups afterward for frame of reference.

 

[Dildobaggins]

@WeR0206 Thank you for the list with the links! I had completely forgotten about PVA barrels that actually might be the winner!

@flogxal id be very interested in the results. I hope both are shooters but for the price tag of the lilja that im seeing on the website, I hope it does well!

 

[flogxal]

The Lilja I've shot plenty already, it's a shooter for sure. It loves the 100gr ELD-VT factory ammo like it was made for it, and has shot every handload very well. That reduced group buy price from SigSigma makes it nice for sure.

I might be a lucky guy on this but I have two OdinWorks barrels and both shoot very well. The 6.5 Grendel mentioned above, and an 18" .223 Wylde 3-Gun profile barrel.

 

[WeR0206]

@WeR0206 Thank you for the list with the links! I had completely forgotten about PVA barrels that actually might be the winner!

@flogxal id be very interested in the results. I hope both are shooters but for the price tag of the lilja that im seeing on the website, I hope it does well!

You’re welcome! PVA osprey + headspaced rubber city 6 ARC bolt = good to go, also @bohem and team at PVA are good people who frequent the hide and offer group buy pricing etc…depending on how quickly you want the barrel you can wait for their black friday sale