WOA barrels, any recent reviews?

[Swingpress]

So I’m trying to decide on a new barrel for a gas gun build in .223. The 22”-24” predator profiles from WOA are very tempting as it seems they would be well suited to extended range coyote and the occasional bench competition among friends. However, I haven’t seen any recent info on their barrels or uppers. Anyone have any recent experience or know of other makers in the same price range I should check out? Thanks for any help, my google-fu is weak today. ?

 

[MontanaMan]

WOA is fine & GTG; also Compass Lake (has Bartlein, Kreiger, Douglas, Criterion), & Craddock Precision (has Rock Creek, Bartlein, Kreiger, Criterion), Ranier Arms UltraMatch & Match barrels.

You really can't go far wrong with any of them & they all back up what they sell.

I just ordered a new barrel from Craddock as he was willing to do a special contour for me at no extra charge.

MM

 

[Swingpress]

WOA is fine & GTG; also Compass Lake (has Bartlein, Kreiger, Douglas, Criterion), & Craddock Precision (has Rock Creek, Bartlein, Kreiger, Criterion), Ranier Arms UltraMatch & Match barrels.

You really can't go far wrong with any of them & they all back up what they sell.

I just ordered a new barrel from Craddock as he was willing to do a special contour for me at no extra charge.

MM

Good to hear they are still a solid choice. I hadn’t seen any groups or reviews posted in quite a while, so it seemed like a good idea to check.?

 

[anon]

I suspect most of the WOA barrels are shot for score, not groups. They do just fine.

 

[MontanaMan]

10 shots on each bull............I got a little antsy on the 2nd target.

MM

 

[Swingpress]

10 shots on each bull............I got a little antsy on the 2nd target.

MM

Looking good. I think ill go ahead and get their predator profile in a 24". This rifle is gonna be longer than a freight train once it has a can fitted!

 

[bunsen27]

@Swingpress is there a specific reason you are looking at the 22"-24" models?

I picked up a WOA 18" SPR barrel from Brownell's this Fall as did a good shooting buddy. Both WOA SPR barrels been super accurate with both 55gr VMax over CFE223 and 77gr SMK over XBR8208. For some reason WOA barrels do NOT like the 73gr Hornady ELD'm but they do like the Hornady 75gr BTHP. I will be buying another WOA SPR barrel forfuture builds.

 

[Swingpress]

@Swingpress is there a specific reason you are looking at the 22"-24" models?

There are a few reasons. The primary reasons are for some velocity and acceleration testing I have wanted to do for some time now. Secondary, my ears/hearing has become sensitive enough that even someone clapping their hands next to me can occasionally start that hour long ring in my head that never seems to stop, so moving the blast/concussion further away from my dome is always a benefit, even if its only slightly so lol. The 3rd is that in the event I swap it out I still have enough material in the blank to use for projects the don't require a minty fresh barrel. Anyway, that has been my thought process.

 

[padom]

Looking good. I think ill go ahead and get their predator profile in a 24". This rifle is gonna be longer than a freight train once it has a can fitted!

Its been a while since I bought a new WOA but my SDM 20" shoots lights out but its a good 5+ years old. The Rainier Ultramatch's are shooting just as good as well. Use code PADOM10 over at rainier for another 10% off the barrel if you choose to go that route.

 

[Lunchbox27]

Two WOA barrels going strong, here. They just flat out shoot.

 

[mensajd]

For light bullets the 12" twist WOA barrels use a proprietary "varmint" chamber with a shorter freebore. Works great in that application.

 

[tarm]

There are a few reasons. The primary reasons are for some velocity and acceleration testing I have wanted to do for some time now. Secondary, my ears/hearing has become sensitive enough that even someone clapping their hands next to me can occasionally start that hour long ring in my head that never seems to stop, so moving the blast/concussion further away from my dome is always a benefit, even if its only slightly so lol. The 3rd is that in the event I swap it out I still have enough material in the blank to use for projects the don't require a minty fresh barrel. Anyway, that has been my thought process.

Sorry to hear about your hearing damage. So you already have a moderate level if tinnitus. Yes, you need to be very careful as at any point that ringing buzzing could come on and NEVER leave in response to a strong sound pressure. Be sure to use plugs plus over ear muffs.

Hate to say it but in terms of the pressure to your ears and hearing damage much of the sound pressure the shooter gets shooting ARs comes from the breech. Yes SBR lengths can be an issue. Also you can decrease a decent amount of that breech pop by tuning the rifle to keep that breech closed as long as possible.

Do you plan to reload or shoot commercial ammo?

I ask because there are different ways to tune the gas system. People that handload tend to go after higher BC heavier bullets and those that shoot commercial tend to go for price point on ammo which tends to be on the lighter side.

Is this for rec or do you plan to compete NRA high power etc?

 

[demolitionman]

I’m pretty stoked to shoot my 22” WOA 223 1/8 twist this weekend. Hope it’ll gas ok as I don’t have an adjustable block. I’ll let you know how it does with 77smk’s over Varget.

 

[Belisarius]

I recently replaced my PSA barrel with an 18" WOA SPR 1-7" twist. Not that the PSA barrel wasn't accurate, because it was, I just wanted a heavier profile under the handguard. I'm happy with it!!!

 

[10ring1]

Just got an email from WOA that they have partnered with Bartlein and have a few offerings

https://www.whiteoakarmament.com/sh...cA&jobid=7c0fba16-2e6c-4382-9a8a-20a2710d6bcf

 

[demolitionman]

Well thought I’d update. My 1:8 WOA 22” varmint consistently shoots sub moa with 23.5varget win brass and 77tmk’s. Shot 24g varget and 77 smk’s right on one moa. These were the first groups out of this gun and over 2 years since I last shot a gas gun. Just following up.

I don’t get much time to shoot anymore so I’m going to invest all my energy this year into just shooting long range with this one gas gun with the WOA 22” barrel. Should be interesting. Initial impression is I’m stoked on my woa barrel. I’ve done no load work up.

 

[Swingpress]

Well thought I’d update. My 1:8 WOA 22” varmint consistently shoots sub moa with 23.5varget win brass and 77tmk’s. Shot 24g varget and 77 smk’s right on one moa. These were the first groups out of this gun and over 2 years since I last shot a gas gun. Just following up.

I don’t get much time to shoot anymore so I’m going to invest all my energy this year into just shooting long range with this one gas gun with the WOA 22” barrel. Should be interesting. Initial impression is I’m stoked on my woa barrel. I’ve done no load work up.

Thanks for the follow up! I spent probably an hour on the phone with John over at WOA and ran my plan by him. He recommended a few tweaks and we settled on a 24” 1:7 predator contour threaded 5/8-24. Should serve my purpose while getting the blast out there, on top of making an interesting suppressor host (if not a rather long one). Now I just need to pick up the phone and make it happen. Thankfully the weather seems to be warming up!

 

[demolitionman]

Thanks for the follow up! I spent probably an hour on the phone with John over at WOA and ran my plan by him. He recommended a few tweaks and we settled on a 24” 1:7 predator contour threaded 5/8-24. Should serve my purpose while getting the blast out there, on top of making an interesting suppressor host (if not a rather long one). Now I just need to pick up the phone and make it happen. Thankfully the weather seems to be warming up!

Good deal man. I mentioned wanting to shoot 77smk’s and possibly TMK’s and was told by them that a 22” 1/8 would have absolutely no issues with stabilization. I’m going to bang some steel with it Sunday if I don’t ride my bmx bike. Will be able to stretch it out to a thousand, not that I’d expect anything other than laughs that far though.....
If you don’t mind me asking; what did you describe your needs that they recommended a 24” barrel in 1/7 twist ?

 

[Swingpress]

If you don’t mind me asking; what did you describe your needs that they recommended a 24” barrel in 1/7 twist ?

I expressed some interest in velocity testing and also have an interest in single loading heavier pills so that I’m not restricted by mag length. The added length and suppressor provision gives me a way to get the blast further from me and we came to the conclusion that 24” is likely at the point of diminishing returns as far as velocity is concerned. Hope your shoot went well! ?

 

[Belisarius]

I want to get a barrel like that to try 90 and 95 gr. bullets. I know it would stabilize the 85 and 88 gr. , would the 1/7 twist be enough for the 95s?

 

[Swingpress]

I want to get a barrel like that to try 90 and 95 gr. bullets. I know it would stabilize the 85 and 88 gr. , would the 1/7 twist be enough for the 95s?

Per the info WOA gave me, it “shouldn’t” be a problem. But it’s better to call them and make sure rather than rely on my limited knowledge. 90’s were specifically on my list though, so I am fairly confident the info they gave me would apply.

 

[D2junky]

Have two Brownells Sale WOA barrels that shoot SubMOA. I haven’t run any handloads through them yet but they LOVE hornady black 75’s.

FedEx just dropped off my WOA 20” Bartlein national Match barrel and hope to shoot it this weekend.

 

[palmettoman]

I just bought a WOA barrel from Brownells - 18" SPR. Still breaking it in and doing load development, but I have high hopes. They have a solid reputation.

 

[MTRecon]

My 223 WOA Varmint Upper 26" 1/8 has about 3,000 rounds so far. Using 55 up to 80gr ELD with different brands of powder, bullets and brass.
It has my respect. Would like to try heavier than 80gr to see if they will stabilize.

 

[Belisarius]

I have tried 85 RDF and 88 ELD in my DPMS 24" 1 in 8 " twist, no good.