Re: rainier 308 barrels
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: benchmstr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if you dont mind, how do you see it comparing to the other big name barrel peddlers out there?
have you noticed any downsides?
i had never even considered rainier until i was asked about them....now i am pretty curiouse and interested...WOA is my go to ar barrel....so if they do the 308 platform barrels i would love to buy a few </div></div>
I don't mind at all. Actually, since I got this barrel late last year (and got the upper/rifle finished earlier this year), I have promised a report but just haven't gotten around to it.
I would only compare the Rainier/Shilen UltraMatch barrels with other .308 AR barrels that I have used that were "drop-in" units because hand-fitted, custom-shop worked over barrels from blanks and fitted to a rifle/upper are a different breed as far as I'm concerned. That said, I have now used Rainier's offering, Noveske/Pac-Nor, and Armalite/LW "drop-in" barrels that I can compare (all Armalite platform) and I find them all to be of very good quality.
Function/Accuracy - I have found the Rainier barrel to be flawless in its function (although I admit that I have only run FGMM 168gr and 175gr, BH 175gr, Corbon 175gr and my reloads of 155gr Scenars and 175gr SMKs). I have never experienced failure of any kind with the barrel yet (but again...I haven't run any surplus or "cheap" ammo through it either...just the "good" stuff). I have found the Rainier barrel on par with Noveske and slightly (and I mean SLIGHTLY) better in terms of overall accuracy than the Armalite 10T barrels. In all functional respects, the Rainier/Shilen barrel is every bit as good a quality barrel in terms of accuracy thus far (I have thousands of rounds though different Noveske and Armalite barrels and only approx. 600 through the Rainier/Shilen at this point). The Rainier barrel seems to be of the high quality you'd expect from a Shilen blank combined with the same high quality/precision/craftsmanship/etc. you'd expect from White Oak.
Fit/Finish - I find NO difference in the fit/finish/appearance of the Rainier barrels vs. the others. I do like the "bead blasted" finish of the Rainier barrel (and the Noveske) as compared with the polished/bright stainless on the Armalite.
Weight - My 16" barrel (stripped with only the barrel/extension) weighs 39oz on my scale. The Noveske 16" tube weighs 40oz in the same condition which is negligible in my book. The Armalite 16" 10T barrel I have weighed approx. 48oz IIRC (or roughly 1/2lb heavier than the Rainier and Noveske offerings...it is a BIG barrel under the HGs). Not a big difference, but one that adds up if weight/portability is a concern for you.
Fouling/Cleanliness - I have found that the Noveske barrel is generally "cleaner" and easier to clean than the other barrels in this segment. It just seems to foul less than the Armalite and the Rainier and clean easier than the others as well. None are BAD, but the Noveske definitely runs cleaner (YMMV). They all get dirtier than a @#$%^& shooting suppressed.
Price - The Rainier is by FAR the least expensive "Match" quality barrel that I have purchased for a .308 AR which is one of the reasons (along with its performance) that makes it such an appealing prospect. My 16" tube cost me $403 delivered. My Noveske was approx. $550 delivered IIRC (but incl. the pinned, low pro gas block) and the Armalite was included on a 10T carbine I bought, but can be purchased sep. for approx. $500 + S&H. The only problem with the price is that availability suffers as a result of such a competitive price. Rainier seems to often run out (or otherwise be out of stock...they are out right now of most of their stock of UltraMatch .308 barrels). Noveske and Armalite barrels on the other hand can be had (although the Noveske barrels are cyclical in terms of availability and can have some good wait times).
Hope that helps...if you have any specific questions, let me know and I'll do my best to answer them.