Hi, I have a aero precision m5 upper and lower. I’m looking for some advice on a barrel mainly looking for a 20-24”. It’s going to be a bench gun. Price range 300-400 that has good accuracy. All help is appreciated.
Precision 308 ar advice needed
- Thread starter Panamacitymustang
- Start date
For .308 I've had good results with Ballistic Advantage and Rainier Arms Ultra Match barrels.
While I haven't shot either in 308 I can tell you I've had GREAT results with a Rainier Arms Ultra Match in 5.56 for a Mk12 Mod 1 build I did. I've had that gun reach out to 725m hitting small IPSC steel. Additionally, I just purchased a Ballistic Advantage Premium 6.5CM 22" barrel so I have faith that it will perform based on what I've read across the interwebs. Good luck in your build. The biggest thing is to get it built and shoot it.
+2 on Rainer arms ultra match barrels. Even if you don’t go with a Rainer barrel they have Faxon, Noveske, Proof, Battle Arms, BSF, V Seven, Christensen, to choose form as well.
I guess I should have asked what’s the best accuracy I can get from a barrel in the 300 to $400 range
If you can snag a Proof for under $400 let me know. I’ll buy 2. ?. Add Criterion to that list.
I grabbed a 20” 308 from Fulton Armory. Shoots very well with FGMM. Though my next barrel will be a 6.5CM Proof on my AR build.
An off the shelf barrel that is a tack driver in your price range would be a Wilson 416R SS Fluted HBAR .308 1:10 barrel. Unfortunetly its only in 18" but only $265 and I reviewed this barrel last year from JSE. Absolute tack driver with 168 ELD-M and 175smk.
If you want a custom barrel in your price range give John at Keystone Accuracy a call or shoot him an email. He can do a custom button barrel to whatever contour, length, chambering you want in your price range which also shoot lights out. I have on of his button blanks on a bolt gun that is hammering. Will be probably $100 more than the Wilson but still in your price range.
www.keystoneaccuracy.com
http://www.jsesurplus.com/18WilsonArms308Hbar1x10FlutedStainlessSteelStripped.aspx
Here's my results with the 18" Wilson
If you want a custom barrel in your price range give John at Keystone Accuracy a call or shoot him an email. He can do a custom button barrel to whatever contour, length, chambering you want in your price range which also shoot lights out. I have on of his button blanks on a bolt gun that is hammering. Will be probably $100 more than the Wilson but still in your price range.
www.keystoneaccuracy.com
http://www.jsesurplus.com/18WilsonArms308Hbar1x10FlutedStainlessSteelStripped.aspx
Here's my results with the 18" Wilson
Wilson arms is different from Wilson Combat. Wilson Arms is who Padom was talking about. I have one of their 18” as well. Never tested it too much. But it was a nice shooter.
Yea Wilson Arms is not Wilson Combat. Wilson blanks are what WOA and many others use. I have never had a Wilson to date that hasn't shot.
Take a look at Lothar Walther too. They come with a matched/headspaced bolt. Couple of different profiles offered.
http://www.lothar-walther.com/ar10ar15/ar10-stock/
http://www.lothar-walther.com/ar10ar15/ar10-stock/
...alot of good recommendations given already, here is another from JP's "Clearance" page. Don't go into "sticker price shock", that price includes one of JP's Enhanced bolts that is headspaced to the barrel, can't beat that deal with a stick.. Click on the link below than click on the "Clearance" tab.
https://www.jprifles.com/1.4.1_barrel.php
https://www.jprifles.com/1.4.1_barrel.php
If you're not married to .308, 6.5 Creedmoor has an advantage.
I have a Criterion 24" bull barrel that shoots a lot better than I do, 1/2 MOA or better if I don't pull any shots. A lot of people have good luck with Criterion.
Wilson Combat is what I would try if I didn't already have too many barrels. ARP is another one that might be a good choice if available.
Ballistic Advantage seems to be hit or miss from reviews I've seen. The prices are a bit too high for me to take a chance on.
I just got a Faxon AR15 barrel, it seems pretty nice so if you could get a better deal than a Wilson Combat, that might be something to look at.
I have a Criterion 24" bull barrel that shoots a lot better than I do, 1/2 MOA or better if I don't pull any shots. A lot of people have good luck with Criterion.
Wilson Combat is what I would try if I didn't already have too many barrels. ARP is another one that might be a good choice if available.
Ballistic Advantage seems to be hit or miss from reviews I've seen. The prices are a bit too high for me to take a chance on.
I just got a Faxon AR15 barrel, it seems pretty nice so if you could get a better deal than a Wilson Combat, that might be something to look at.
The more I keep thinking about the more I want a 6.5 creedmoore. My only problem is I don’t reload yet.
I see just as many 6.5 creed offerings as 308 around here these days
Well creed ammo I would shoot, there is a shit load more cheap blasting 308 fmj ammo that I would never touch, but good ammo they are about the same.
Hornady match 6.5 creedmoor runs about the same price as federal gmm 308. Federal also has a 6.5 offering in their gold medal line using Berger bullets. Shoot the factory stuff and save the brass. Once you are set up to reload, you already have the brass, and the experience with the rifle.
That said, my DPMS lr308 factory 24” bull barrel is easily sub moa with fgmm and Hornady match loads.
That said, my DPMS lr308 factory 24” bull barrel is easily sub moa with fgmm and Hornady match loads.
I have done up custom loads for 6.5 using Lapua and Starline Brass, JLK-Berger-Sierra-Hornady bullets, and a couple of different powders (H4350 mostly). None of them shoot noticeably better than the gold medal bergers from federal, at least in my rifle. They are pretty darn good but factory match ammo is expensive no doubt. As far as 308 vs. 6.5, each has advantages. 6.5 is better past 600, but doesn't have very good barrel life.
Thanks. I know they cost about the same. That’s what got me thinking about the 6.5 I do hear barrel life is kind of short though. The range I’ll be going to only goes to 500 yards. I see a lot of really good grouping with both.
2500-3000 rounds from all reports, so shorter than some but also much better than many others, its not at all what I would consider to be a barrel burner.
If you are only shooting to 500 yards, either .308 or 6.5 will be just fine for accuracy.
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