Ballistic advantage 18 inch fluted SPR barrel

[Dgtrnr]

Installed this barrel yesterday and am happy to report it is showing some serious accuracy.

Threads were a little coarse/rough but otherwise the fit and finish looks great.

All 5 shot groups- will post pics later

.54 with Factory Hornady 55gr v max

.8 with Winchester 68gr match

1 inch with PPU 75gr match

.5 with PMC m193 (3 shot group to zero)

Anyone have experience with this barrel? Pretty good so far for a 200$ tube .

 

[diggler1833]

Installed this barrel yesterday and am happy to report it is showing some serious accuracy.

Threads were a little coarse/rough but otherwise the fit and finish looks great.

All 5 shot groups- will post pics later

.54 with Factory Hornady 55gr v max

.8 with Winchester 68gr match

1 inch with PPU 75gr match

.5 with PMC m193 (3 shot group to zero)

Anyone have experience with this barrel? Pretty good so far for a 200$ tube .

I got a lemon of the exact same make. Best it would do was 2 MOA with anything, and usually was 3 MOA or so. After 200 rounds of trying (including handloads), I gave up on it and used the warranty.

My CS experience with BA was awesome. I had to answer the usual "are you a dumbass" questions, but I absolutely understand why those have to be asked. I had a new barrel (can't remember if BCG too) on the way before I even sent my old one back. Put the new barrel on a budget build for my dad, and it showed much better accuracy with M855 of all things when I was breaking it in. Dad likes it. I'm satisfied with the company, but I'll probably not buy another (just no need).

 

[Dgtrnr]

I’ve heard they like 62 grain . Plan to take some
Federal fusion and m855 out next time I hit the range so how it behaves !

 

[Dgtrnr]

55 vmax, 68 match(.8 w/pulled shot) , xm193

 

[tomme boy]

I got a lemon of the exact same make. Best it would do was 2 MOA with anything, and usually was 3 MOA or so. After 200 rounds of trying (including handloads), I gave up on it and used the warranty.

My CS experience with BA was awesome. I had to answer the usual "are you a dumbass" questions, but I absolutely understand why those have to be asked. I had a new barrel (can't remember if BCG too) on the way before I even sent my old one back. Put the new barrel on a budget build for my dad, and it showed much better accuracy with M855 of all things when I was breaking it in. Dad likes it. I'm satisfied with the company, but I'll probably not buy another (just no need).

Same here. Here is the throat on mine. Replaced it with a WOA fluted SPR

 

[JBoomhauer]

Also had a 2”+ BA spr barrel.

 

[db2000]

Not a BA barrel but 20” Criterion. I do get good results from Govt profile CL BA barrels though.
Point is, 60 gr VMAX is very accurate for me. As good as my 77 SMK hand loads.

 

[Dgtrnr]

I must have gotten lucky then! I previously had a seekins spr barrel on and it was great until
I ruined it hunting in the rain and forgetting to clean it. Rusted bore, feed ramps and where the barrel extension meets the the barrel in the star chamber.

I thought about a criterion! Have a 14.5 FN barrel that is consistent 3/4 and sometimes 1/2 inch gun. Have literally ran it ragged with steel case ammo. Mind blowing .

 

[Dgtrnr]

Same here. Here is the throat on mine. Replaced it with a WOA fluted SPR


View attachment 7850106

How has the white oak performed? I really considered them but I wanted a barrel I wouldn’t feel terrible about abusing hunting coyotes and being a truck gun !

 

[Dgtrnr]

Also had a 2”+ BA spr barrel.

Did they take care of you CS wise and get you a replacement??

 

[JBoomhauer]

Never tried. I pulled it and it is sitting on the shelf.

I tried a few known 69smk loads , 73 eldm loads, and 77 smk loads. None shot well. Moved on to another barrel.

Honestly I cannot say it won’t shoot, just that I’m not going to spend the time finding something that it shoots well.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

I have one of the non fluted BA SPR barrels. Shoots 3/4ish MOA with any decent match bullets. Chamber is a little tighter than the other 10+ 5.56 barrels I have, so ammo occasionally sticks in the chamber. Can't really complain for a barrel I got for $130 for a gun I put together from a bunch of reject take off parts.

 

[Dgtrnr]

Never tried. I pulled it and it is sitting on the shelf.

I tried a few known 69smk loads , 73 eldm loads, and 77 smk loads. None shot well. Moved on to another barrel.

Honestly I cannot say it won’t shoot, just that I’m not going to spend the time finding something that it shoots well.

From what I understand they will send you a new replacement if it’s a lemon !

 

[tomme boy]

How has the white oak performed? I really considered them but I wanted a barrel I wouldn’t feel terrible about abusing hunting coyotes and being a truck gun !

I have only sighted the scope in on it right now. I have a total of 20 rnds through it so can not say. They have their 3 gun barrels in stock right now. Comes with a custom length gas tube as the gas port is -1" rifle length. Should be a real good shooter.

And BA will send you a new barrel if you fill out a work order on their website. They will also send you a shipping label to send the bad one back. They have good CS as they need it. They are relying on the guys that just want to finger fuck their trigger and hear the gun go bang.

 

[n2ishun]

I've got one of the BA stainless fluted 16" barrels.
Never shot at paper with it and I've had it 3-4 years...heh.
I did shoot at a beer can at 300 yards though, never missed it, so the accuracy can't be that bad.
Someday I'll shoot groups with it, it's just not something I worry about with that rifle.
I pull the trigger and it goes bang and it actually runs perfectly, so it serves it's purpose.

 

[Diesel79]

I’ve got a couple of Andro Corp rifles I need to get zeroed. They use the BA barrels and after reading this I’m curious what they will do. One is a 10.3 but I’m not expecting it to shoot tacks at 200 nor is that the purpose of it. The other is a custom configured 14.5 with a URX 3.1 rail. I plan on running both suppressed.

A lot of positive reviews for their rifles. They do a lot of full auto shoots with their gear and seem to be durable/reliable.

To bad someone turned in the winter and wind switch in MN again so it might’ve another week or 2 before I can get out.

 

[3rd Monkey]

I have 2 BA barrels, 10.5" and 13.7". I ordered an 18" in stainless, should be here Monday. The 10.5 is a 3 MOA barrel on a good day with 77gr SMK (best in the gun) and the 13.7 is sub minute all the time as long as it's 62gr or better. Both are 1:7, both are CMV.

Hoping the 18" stacks good. I'll update when I can.

 

[gxer]

Same here. Here is the throat on mine. Replaced it with a WOA fluted SPR


View attachment 7850106

I have the BA premium SS fluted barrel in 16", I saw the same thing when it was brand new, here is what it looks like with around 200 rounds FMJ down the pipe:

What worries me is this, just in front of the throat, I saw a lot of "W" tool marks in the lands

The exterior finish is pretty good, but interior, where it actually matters, is lacking for sure. Accuracy wise, it sure is capable of less than 1 MOA with my Agulia 62 gr BT or Federal 75 gr BTHP in 3 rounds group but maybe it's just the shooter, when I go to 10 rounds group I will always have a few fliers which expanded the grouping to 3 inches at 100 yards.
Target size is 4 inches, I believe the ammo was Federal 62gr M855:

 

[TonyTheTiger]

and the 13.7 is sub minute all the time as long as it's 62gr or better. Both are 1:7, both are CMV.

Have you tried 52-55gr match bullets? Most 7 twist barrel owners are surprised to find they shoot phenomenally well.

 

[Dgtrnr]

Have you tried 52-55gr match bullets? Most 7 twist barrel owners are surprised to find they shoot phenomenally well.

My 1-7 loves 55 grainers, never tried any 52. Also not loading 223 yet. Have all the components and dies.

Only loading 6.5 cm right now .

 

[Dgtrnr]

I’ve got a couple of Andro Corp rifles I need to get zeroed. They use the BA barrels and after reading this I’m curious what they will do. One is a 10.3 but I’m not expecting it to shoot tacks at 200 nor is that the purpose of it. The other is a custom configured 14.5 with a URX 3.1 rail. I plan on running both suppressed.

A lot of positive reviews for their rifles. They do a lot of full auto shoots with their gear and seem to be durable/reliable.

To bad someone turned in the winter and wind switch in MN again so it might’ve another week or 2 before I can get out.

Post your results when you shoot them

 

[3rd Monkey]

Have you tried 52-55gr match bullets? Most 7 twist barrel owners are surprised to find they shoot phenomenally well.

I haven't, just Federal brass and steel. I can try it, but every other barrel I have shoots sub minute with 77gr, so I just assumed.

What is slightly strange is that the Wolf steel has a better (nowhere near good) ES than the SMK out of the 10.5, 40 with steel and 61 with SMK. Out of the 13.7, the Wolf has about the same ES, but the SMK goes down to 22. The 10.5 is carbine gas, the 13.7 is mid length gas and holds ES similiar to most of my 16s.

 

[3rd Monkey]

My 1-7 loves 55 grainers, never tried any 52. Also not loading 223 yet. Have all the components and dies.

Only loading 6.5 cm right now .

I'm running some testing with 77gr SMKs at the moment using IMR 4064 since I have a surplus. Tried with 55s, 62s, and 64s. Got better as weight progressed, but I don't think it's going to get me where I want. Waiting for it to warm up and then running a ladder test to see.

With 55s, I've had very nice results with CFE 223, around 8. Varget was alright too, but I had to compress it a fair amount to get a good ES, around 12-15. Food for thought.

 

[Biggy]

IMHO, getting a good Ballistic Advantage barrel (one that really shoots good) is just too hit or miss *for me* to mess with.

 

[3rd Monkey]

I'm running some testing with 77gr SMKs at the moment using IMR 4064 since I have a surplus. Tried with 55s, 62s, and 64s. Got better as weight progressed, but I don't think it's going to get me where I want. Waiting for it to warm up and then running a ladder test to see.

With 55s, I've had very nice results with CFE 223, around 8. Varget was alright too, but I had to compress it a fair amount to get a good ES, around 12-15. Food for thought.

Did the test with IMR 4064... Not good. Found 2 good nodes. One between 22.7-23.0 and the other at 23.7-24.0. That said, the speed is just not there. 2455fps out of a 13.7 just won't cut it for me unless I have no other option.

 

[3rd Monkey]

Installed this barrel yesterday and am happy to report it is showing some serious accuracy.

Threads were a little coarse/rough but otherwise the fit and finish looks great.

All 5 shot groups- will post pics later

.54 with Factory Hornady 55gr v max

.8 with Winchester 68gr match

1 inch with PPU 75gr match

.5 with PMC m193 (3 shot group to zero)

Anyone have experience with this barrel? Pretty good so far for a 200$ tube .

Just got my barrel tonight. Had carbon fouling in the barrel the last 4", so I cleaned with CLR and installed. I didn't get to shoot it since it's snowing like a bastard out there, but I will tomorrow. This barrel looks a little rough. Did you run a break in on yours? I think I'm going to because of the looks of the rifling. Fed various ammo through it, cycled good, even steel. No hang ups, so they got the chamber right so far. Gas port checks out.

 

[Dgtrnr]

I didn’t. but I probably should have lol I normally do break in with 20 round total but just decided to shoot this because it was a cheap barrel

Shot yesterday and best group was a .4 with a flyer that pushed the group to .75

I would say after 200 rounds this is a moa barrel on the average testing 5 different match ammos . Occasional random flyer but for hunting purposes it would be excellent . Likely going to sell to my friend and get a rainier arms ultra match . Now the decision is if I get the nitride version or plain stainless (same price) !

 

[3rd Monkey]

Appreciate the input. I'm hoping for the best. I only need MOA for what I'm doing with it but wouldn't mind .5 MOA haha.

 

[r.tenorio671]

Appreciate the input. I'm hoping for the best. I only need MOA for what I'm doing with it but wouldn't mind .5 MOA haha.

...like any brand on the market, break it in, try different ammo in it before passing judgement....there is no "miracle barrel" out there.

 

[3rd Monkey]

...like any brand on the market, break it in, try different ammo in it before passing judgement....there is no "miracle barrel" out there.

Believe it or not, I don't break in all barrels... Just ones that aren't as "smooth". This one is... not so smooth. I want to like BA, which is why I bought another.

When it comes to passing judgement though.... If it doesn't shoot what I want, it's shit to me. My money, ya know?

Sounds dickish now that I read it, but not intended that way at all.

 

[r.tenorio671]

Believe it or not, I don't break in all barrels... Just ones that aren't as "smooth". This one is... not so smooth. I want to like BA, which is why I bought another.

When it comes to passing judgement though.... If it doesn't shoot what I want, it's shit to me. My money, ya know?

Sounds dickish now that I read it, but not intended that way at all.

...by "break in", I'm not proscribing the "shoot, clean, shoot" protocol, I'm saying send enough rounds down it to remove any manufacturing anomalies (burrs, rough spots, etc.) from it and "normalize" the tube. One sees many posts about BA's, both good and bad, but to be honest you see it for EVERY brand of tube out on the market, take it all with a grain of salt. The real "proof" of a barrel is what YOU experience, both initially and afterwards once it's been used enough to be "normalized". Regardless if you only use commercial ammo or handloads, once you change ammo/components, there WILL be a corresponding change in the results. What you strive for is that overlapping "commonality" in performance when you introduce changes.

....my experience with the BA's in my platforms have been good and I could post the results showing such, but it's pointless as I don't need to convince anyone other than myself. The what & how I assemble my platforms & ammo are the major influences of the TOTAL platforms performance, the barrel itself is just part of the equation.

 

[3rd Monkey]

...by "break in", I'm not proscribing the "shoot, clean, shoot" protocol, I'm saying send enough rounds down it to remove any manufacturing anomalies (burrs, rough spots, etc.) from it and "normalize" the tube. One sees many posts about BA's, both good and bad, but to be honest you see it for EVERY brand of tube out on the market, take it all with a grain of salt. The real "proof" of a barrel is what YOU experience, both initially and afterwards once it's been used enough to be "normalized". Regardless if you only use commercial ammo or handloads, once you change ammo/components, there WILL be a corresponding change in the results. What you strive for is that overlapping "commonality" in performance when you introduce changes.

....my experience with the BA's in my platforms have been good and I could post the results showing such, but it's pointless as I don't need to convince anyone other than myself. The what & how I assemble my platforms & ammo are the major influences of the TOTAL platforms performance, the barrel itself is just part of the equation.

I judge barrel to barrel. If the lapping is sloppy or there's "shit" in the barrel, I will run it through a break in. If everything is smooth and polished, no break in. At the end of the day, it shoots what I want it to shoot or it gets pulled. I' don't run copper solvent, just CLR to clean out from the suppressor. I do things the "proven to me" way, as does everyone.

For what it's worth, never had to break in a Tikka, Sako (I know), WOA or Kreiger barrel.

 

[tomme boy]

I have the BA premium SS fluted barrel in 16", I saw the same thing when it was brand new, here is what it looks like with around 200 rounds FMJ down the pipe:
View attachment 7850864
What worries me is this, just in front of the throat, I saw a lot of "W" tool marks in the lands
View attachment 7850865
The exterior finish is pretty good, but interior, where it actually matters, is lacking for sure. Accuracy wise, it sure is capable of less than 1 MOA with my Agulia 62 gr BT or Federal 75 gr BTHP in 3 rounds group but maybe it's just the shooter, when I go to 10 rounds group I will always have a few fliers which expanded the grouping to 3 inches at 100 yards.
Target size is 4 inches, I believe the ammo was Federal 62gr M855:
View attachment 7850875

That would be going back. I thought mine was bad!

 

[gxer]

That would be going back. I thought mine was bad!

Well, like I have said it didn't shoot bad, it's very capable of 3 shot within 1MOA even with non-match ammo. With I think with more rounds smoothing out those imperfection, in theory, accuracy should go even higher.

I didn't have a proper scope cam set up, but here is a video I took with my iphone, mounted on some cheap scope mount attached to my March Shorty at 10x. Well, I was NOT practicing good marksmanship when shooting in this video because I was pulling back my head in order to view the target on my phone, it was hard to stay steady and with every shot my phone was moving slightly in the mount. So take it with a grain of salt. But as you can see, at least my POI is very predictable.

 

[3rd Monkey]

Just ran the break in. Groups were shot at 36 yds, shots were approx 45-60 seconds apart from the first to the last, bore snaking (no cleaner) between each shot. Ammo used was factory Norma 77gr SMK. Temp was 38F. Elevation 600'.

1st group- 2540/2560/2477/2518/2546 ES-83fps AVG-2528 Group size-1.45"
2nd group- 2438/2523/2550/2519/2458 ES-112fps AVG-2497 Group size-0.96"
3rd group- 2519/2511/2479/2474/2525 ES-51fps AVG-2501 Group size-0.60"
4th group- 2516/2520/2403/2481/2507 ES-117fps AVG-2485 Group size-0.75"

Removing the flyer from the 4th group would have made the results track more.

4th group (flyer removed)- ES-39fps AVG-2506 Group size-0.44"

 

[Dgtrnr]

Just ran the break in. Groups were shot at 36 yds, shots were approx 45-60 seconds apart from the first to the last, bore snaking (no cleaner) between each shot. Ammo used was factory Norma 77gr SMK. Temp was 38F. Elevation 600'.

1st group- 2540/2560/2477/2518/2546 ES-83fps AVG-2528 Group size-1.45"
2nd group- 2438/2523/2550/2519/2458 ES-112fps AVG-2497 Group size-0.96"
3rd group- 2519/2511/2479/2474/2525 ES-51fps AVG-2501 Group size-0.60"
4th group- 2516/2520/2403/2481/2507 ES-117fps AVG-2485 Group size-0.75"

Removing the flyer from the 4th group would have made the results track more.

4th group (flyer removed)- ES-39fps AVG-2506 Group size-0.44"

Been back out to the range yet ? I wound up selling mine to a friend and ordered the rainier ultra match 18 inch fluted 1/7.5 twist

 

[3rd Monkey]

Been back out to the range yet ? I wound up selling mine to a friend and ordered the rainier ultra match 18 inch fluted 1/7.5 twist

Yea, Sundays are shooting days. Best group at 100 with the factory 77gr Norma was 1.4". I also have to drill the gas port if I keep it. When I ran the break-in, I had the gas off for simplicity of feeding rounds and saving the brass. Gas on full, she no go.

Side note, I kept pushing IMR 4064 and found a solid node that is giving me 150+ fps better than the factory Norma ammo (same bullet), but groups aren't much better. I'm going to play with the COAL and see if I can do anything with that. 18 fps ES... not great, but way better than the factory loads at 45 fps that I got today.

Also, shot steel cased Wolf 55gr, 10rds, through it. 2.3" group at 100 yds. Not much better than the high dollar stuff... Still have yet to run 62gr, maybe tomorrow.

That said, the chamber and feed ramps are slick as tits. Even steel case ammo glides in there so nice. I really want this barrel to work, but if I can't get at least 1 MOA... worthless as tits on a bull. Ain't carrying this extra weight for nothing.

I was looking at Wilson Combat and Faxon (can't find WOA or a Kreiger) if this doesn't go well, but I'll be glad to hear your results, good or bad. Manufacturing quality control just sucks anymore.

 

[BCP]

I've had a lot of their barrels, used to get the 18" SPR nitride blems for 129$. Most shot around an inch for five with my mk262 clone ammo, one was a hummer, one was a dud. The hummer one went into my mk12 mod 1 clone that I should've kept. Never saw one with the usual cheap barrel problems like being overgassed or wonky chambers. They are a good value.

Faxon

Not any better than BA barrels imho.

 

[Dgtrnr]

The rainiers are in stock. Their standard match barrel is like 260 with a 90day money back guarantee. Faxon match barrel is 290 ish and when I looked down one wt my local shop THREE different tubes had metal shavings in them still from drilling the gas port .. that kind of money they could have at least blown that out ! Not saying it wouldn’t have shot but still !

 

[TCKev]

If I'm spending $290. it's gonna be a Criterion

 

[benson821]

I had the same problem with 2 of the exact same BA barrels. Both were 2-3" groups at 100 with 50gr to 77gr factory and handloaded ammo. Had to go through a bit more of a proving I'm not a dumb-ass process with them twice. On the 3rd barrel now and factory ammo is a rough inch.... maybe. Worked up a handload that is a ragged 1/2-3/4".

I have a new 18" criterion core sitting on the bench waiting to swap, just haven't had the chance yet.