Talk Me Into a .308 Barrel Choice Please

[diggler1833]

I actually am not a fan of questions like this, but I'm at an impasse in my paralysis by analysis mind.

**What I am looking at is an 18" barrel for a dedicated pig gun. My two choices right now are either the Seekins in the 416 stainless (I'm pretty sure that's all they make), or a Criterion hybrid either chrome lined or nitride.**

I've put together a few AR-15 style rifles, and have used barrels from Wilson Combat, Faxon, and BA. Not that it matters here, but I wanted to let those who are going to help me know that I've got enough experience to at least be dangerous.

- Projectile weight will be from 150 - 165gr only. I am not looking to shoot at distance with any of the 175+ weight bullets.
- Barrel life is perhaps a little bit of a concern (Criterion has this won), but it is not the complete deciding factor. I can always replace down the road.
- Weight is a little bit of a factor (again, advantage Criterion by a few oz). I will not be doing enough sustained fire that I need a real heavy barrel, but neither of these are.
- I know that there are brands that are more highly touted for accuracy, but as long as it can hold MOA I'm fine. I don't need or want to spend the extra coin for a Bartlein/Krieger etc...

At this point, I'm not sure that there is going to be any real difference other than barrel life. I guess my biggest concern is that the Criterion is advertised as being a great fit for the heavies. I know that 1:10 should stabilize everything that I'm looking to shoot.

From those with experience with either; how are your impressions? If Criterion, are you more happy with CL or Nitride?

Any experience to share is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[bunsen27]

I swapped out my old heavy ass 24" DPMS barrel (5.7lbs) for the 18" Criterion Nitride barrel (2.6lbs) earlier this year. I've found accuracy to be about 1 MOA with 150gr Hornady SST's. I didn't really try to develop any other loads for it sorry. I have two other Criterion barrels (Remage prefits in 223 Wylde and 308Win) and ever one has had excellent speed and accuracy. They are my go to off the shelf prefits these days.

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[Burning sensation]

First, I have not owned or used barrels from either of the brands you are considering. I was in a similar situation about 2 months ago, though, when putting together a backup rig.
For a dedicated hog rig I would not factor in barrel life. Figure a 5,000 round life on the low end/500 rounds a year on the high end (unless you’re one of those guys that stacks 52 hogs in a single outing) = a pretty long happy life. You could check the round count on your Pulsar to get an accurate round count figure for what you fire.
The Criterion comes with a rifle length gas system, Seekins an intermediate. I’m partial(stopped typing, put my sandals on, walked 450 yards to kill a hog right here. Seriously.) to a rifle length gas system. Everything else being equal, you will have less recoil with the rifle gas system. You can tame recoil with an adjustable gas block too, that will be useful if you decide to hunt suppressed.
I decided on a 20” Wilson, and I ended up liking it better than the 30 wssm that has been my primary rig for several years.

 

[diggler1833]

I swapped out my old heavy ass 24" DPMS barrel (5.7lbs) for the 18" Criterion Nitride barrel (2.6lbs) earlier this year. I've found accuracy to be about 1 MOA with 150gr Hornady SST's. I didn't really try to develop any other loads for it sorry. I have two other Criterion barrels (Remage prefits in 223 Wylde and 308Win) and ever one has had excellent speed and accuracy. They are my go to off the shelf prefits these days.

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www.brownells.com

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I'm a 2-3 MOA shooter standing with a Trigger Stick, so anything around MOA is more than enough for me.

Definitely want to get into the 150 SST. Before I do though I've got 500 each of 165gr Core Lokts and Grand Slams to burn through. That will take me a couple years.

 

[diggler1833]

First, I have not owned or used barrels from either of the brands you are considering. I was in a similar situation about 2 months ago, though, when putting together a backup rig.
For a dedicated hog rig I would not factor in barrel life. Figure a 5,000 round life on the low end/500 rounds a year on the high end (unless you’re one of those guys that stacks 52 hogs in a single outing) = a pretty long happy life. You could check the round count on your Pulsar to get an accurate round count figure for what you fire.
The Criterion comes with a rifle length gas system, Seekins an intermediate. I’m partial(stopped typing, put my sandals on, walked 450 yards to kill a hog right here. Seriously.) to a rifle length gas system. Everything else being equal, you will have less recoil with the rifle gas system. You can tame recoil with an adjustable gas block too, that will be useful if you decide to hunt suppressed.
I decided on a 20” Wilson, and I ended up liking it better than the 30 wssm that has been my primary rig for several years.

I just did a 20" Wilson Combat on my Grendel build a couple months ago. I've got maybe 50 rounds through it right now, and it's right at MOA or better with one bullet and one powder combo (put my results in the range report section). I think it will be a shooter for sure...I'm just not into wanting to blow $300 on a WC BCG and my mild OCD will not allow me to mix and match large frame AR barrels and bolts.

But, the rifle vs. intermediate gas system is something that I overlooked, and that sways things even further towards the Criterion. I think I've enough info now to pull the trigger.

Thanks for the input man.

 

[Burning sensation]

I just did a 20" Wilson Combat on my Grendel build a couple months ago. I've got maybe 50 rounds through it right now, and it's right at MOA or better with one bullet and one powder combo (put my results in the range report section). I think it will be a shooter for sure...I'm just not into wanting to blow $300 on a WC BCG and my mild OCD will not allow me to mix and match large frame AR barrels and bolts.

But, the rifle vs. intermediate gas system is something that I overlooked, and that sways things even further towards the Criterion. I think I've enough info now to pull the trigger.

Thanks for the input man.

No problem.
I completely understand. I got a pretty good deal ($125) on a nitrided Toolcraft BCG, and the headspace checked out. I would definitely not mix parts, and just hope everything is fine. It was a gamble, and I came out ok. If I manage to burn this WC barrel out, that Criterion nitrided barrel will be my next purchase. The current plan is to switch to a 338 Federal in a couple months, though.

 

[diggler1833]

No problem.
I completely understand. I got a pretty good deal ($125) on a nitrided Toolcraft BCG, and the headspace checked out. I would definitely not mix parts, and just hope everything is fine. It was a gamble, and I came out ok. If I manage to burn this WC barrel out, that Criterion nitrided barrel will be my next purchase. The current plan is to switch to a 338 Federal in a couple months, though.

Purchased a nitrided Criterion hybrid a few hours ago along with a Fulton Armory BCG. Glad that your headspace worked out for you. I don't think mixing and matching is a bad way to go...I'm just saying that I'm not experienced enough to have as much comfort in doing that as I would just getting matching parts...its simply a peace of mind thing for me and my inexperience.

This will probably be my last "build" too. Damn scoped ARs take up way too much real estate in the safe.

 

[Ravenworks]

You will enjoy their barrels, I have several