Best Long Range Barrel for 6mm Arc gas gun?

[thedarkknight]

Doing a precision build that can stretch its legs and reach out and touch on the 6mm Arc AR15 platform. So far this upper consists of JP Bolt, (2a Ti regulated BCG or BAD Enhanced), (BAD Ti gas block or SA Ti Regulated gas block), Blk Lbl 17" Handguard with titanium barrel nut. Need a good heart of a barrel...

 

[lennyo3034]

Craddock Bartlien. 24"

 

[EscapeVelocity]

All the Proof barrels seem to shoot well.

 

[MSTN]

Proof helped develop the cartridge. I think they understand it well.

Ditto on the Proof CFW barrels. I've never used their SS version, but I can't see why they would not be astounding, as well.

Anything Craddock has ever turned out shoots well for me. I've got a Craddock 11.3" Bartlein in .223 Wylde that hasn't shot a group bigger than 3/4 MOA at 300 yards yet. And that's with a broke down 73 year old shooter and just 8X magnification.

 

[BELLYCRAWL]

It looks like you have some lightweight inspired parts. Not sure if that is your ultimate goal, but the proof 20" carbon would be a nice addition. I have the BA premium/melonited 18" barrel and a Maxim bolt, and its is shooting really well. Around .7 with Hornady factory 108. I just found primers, 108s, and dies, but I'm still deciding on powder to assemble some handloads. I'm also considering some of the 90ish grain options too.

However, the BA barrel is heavy. I didn't have a real direction when I put the rifle together and thought it might serve a role in a hunting capacity for my son. I do think I would take on another 2" of barrel for a little extra muzzle velocity even though that would be even more ounces with the BA.

Lastly, there was a guy shooting a Proof CF 6mm ARC in a recent class I took. I believe it was the 20" version and out to 700 yds on 12" steel was extremely boring to him, and the rifle's weight was impressive. Now that I'm confident I'll be staying with the round, my next barrel will be a proof 20" CF.

Blessings,

 

[thedarkknight]

It looks like you have some lightweight inspired parts. Not sure if that is your ultimate goal, but the proof 20" carbon would be a nice addition. I have the BA premium/melonited 18" barrel and a Maxim bolt, and its is shooting really well. Around .7 with Hornady factory 108. I just found primers, 108s, and dies, but I'm still deciding on powder to assemble some handloads. I'm also considering some of the 90ish grain options too.

However, the BA barrel is heavy. I didn't have a real direction when I put the rifle together and thought it might serve a role in a hunting capacity for my son. I do think I would take on another 2" of barrel for a little extra muzzle velocity even though that would be even more ounces with the BA.

Lastly, there was a guy shooting a Proof CF 6mm ARC in a recent class I took. I believe it was the 20" version and out to 700 yds on 12" steel was extremely boring to him, and the rifle's weight was impressive. Now that I'm confident I'll be staying with the round, my next barrel will be a proof 20"

It looks like you have some lightweight inspired parts. Not sure if that is your ultimate goal, but the proof 20" carbon would be a nice addition. I have the BA premium/melonited 18" barrel and a Maxim bolt, and its is shooting really well. Around .7 with Hornady factory 108. I just found primers, 108s, and dies, but I'm still deciding on powder to assemble some handloads. I'm also considering some of the 90ish grain options too.

However, the BA barrel is heavy. I didn't have a real direction when I put the rifle together and thought it might serve a role in a hunting capacity for my son. I do think I would take on another 2" of barrel for a little extra muzzle velocity even though that would be even more ounces with the BA.

Lastly, there was a guy shooting a Proof CF 6mm ARC in a recent class I took. I believe it was the 20" version and out to 700 yds on 12" steel was extremely boring to him, and the rifle's weight was impressive. Now that I'm confident I'll be staying with the round, my next barrel will be a proof 20" CF.

Blessings,

Nice! I originally went with BA 16" but I ended up with 6.8 SPC that filled its roll so I want to take 6mm ARC for another. Check out Johnny's Reloading Bench. He's tested out some different powders for that bullet. I like his CFE223 results since I'm stocked on it already.

 

[r.tenorio671]

.....MOS-TEK did a "FPS by Inch" test with Hornady factory ammo, you may find their data useful in your decision process.

 

[thedarkknight]

.....MOS-TEK did a "FPS by Inch" test with Hornady factory ammo, you may find their data useful in your decision process.

Based on this, 18" seems to be perfect length

 

[r.tenorio671]

Based on this, 18" seems to be perfect length

....JBM Ballistics predicts both those ammo types will remain supersonic to 1200YDS based on the velocities shown for the 18"er.

 

[MSTN]

18" is also nice if you're running a suppressor.

 

[bigjake83]

Proof helped develop the cartridge. I think they understand it well.

Ditto on the Proof CFW barrels. I've never used their SS version, but I can't see why they would not be astounding, as well.

Anything Craddock has ever turned out shoots well for me. I've got a Craddock 11.3" Bartlein in .223 Wylde that hasn't shot a group bigger than 3/4 MOA at 300 yards yet. And that's with a broke down 73 year old shooter and just 8X magnification.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

I don't understand this poll. You have barrels from $250 to $800. 6 inches of length difference. Lightweight carbon to truck axles and a few in between.
Do you have any clue what you want?

 

[RickyRodney]

I don't understand this poll. You have barrels from $250 to $800. 6 inches of length difference. Lightweight carbon to truck axles and a few in between.
Do you have any clue what you want?

No

 

[thedarkknight]

I don't understand this poll. You have barrels from $250 to $800. 6 inches of length difference. Lightweight carbon to truck axles and a few in between.
Do you have any clue what you want?

Price not a consideration, each barrel is the longest (hopefully also contributes to velocity/Performance) provided by each manufacturer. Best Performance is the key here. Apologies if not specific enough for constructive advice and experiences.

 

[Clayman]

18-20" proof with a suppressor is what I'd personally run

Well this poll is a landslide

 

[Jason.N]

Just ordered a steel proof 20in.

 

[padfoot 37]

Compass Lake makes 6 arc barrels that are sweet. My 20in bartlein they made for me is between .4 -.6 moa with factory hornady ammo.

 

[padfoot 37]

My bartlein 20in ar with a mix of factory hornady 108 eldm and 105 black.

 

[david walter]

Wife has a 18” Wilson Combat that’s impressively consistent.

 

[Ledzep]

My 24" Bartlein from Compass Lake Engineering shot a 1.76" 20-shot group at 200yd a few weeks back with factory 108's.

 

[TripleBull]

I bought a couple of the 22" Shaw barrels with no fluting. I've only built up one of them so far but it's a peach. While working up a load, I got one 5 shot 100 yard group at 0.38", but that was probably blind luck. However, it's delivered quite a few groups in the 0.43 to 0.48" range. So it's a decent range toy. At 700 yards on a low wind day I got a 4.5" 5 shot group. At 1000 yards, we had to tweak the ballistics a bit and still got 5 hits in 10 shots on 16" steel, including the walk-in shots, shooting factory ELD-M's. Shaw's the good quality bargain barrel, I guess

I also bought a Proof 18" CF barrel and am going to use it on a light hunting / EOW build with a bunch of CF and other light parts like the Wilson lightweight billet receiver. I still need a few pieces before bolting it together. I went with a Vortex 4.5-22 Razor LHT and could have gotten a lighter scope, but I want to splash prairie dogs as far out as possible, so I'll pay the weight penalty on the optic. Can't wait to see how it shoots.

Psyched with 6 ARC, to say the least.

 

[PappyM3]

Does anybody have experience with the Rainier ultra match 6 ARC barrels? They seem to go with the +1 gas lengths which I hear are preferable.

 

[YotaEer]

Does anybody have experience with the Rainier ultra match 6 ARC barrels? They seem to go with the +1 gas lengths which I hear are preferable.

I’m also looking at grabbing one of these to covert from 6.5 Grendel to 6 ARC.

My understanding is the ultra match barrels are criterion blanks cut by craddock

 

[B.Bates]

best is always subjective... but to me to get top quality or best that means a bartlein or kreiger blank, dialed in and set up by a competent smith.

i went bartlein from Gap for mine, its a hammer

 

[StaveyIL]

This. Ready to ship today.
Compass Lake Engineering

 

[Obi-WanKannoli]

My proof 14.5 cf is poa=poi, I surely cannot out shoot it.

 

[Bluedog82]

I was interested to see that the Wilson Combat 18” has a mid length gas system—seems kinda short? Anyone have experience?

 

[cypriss32]

I’m running a 18” Proof SS barrel. Got mine new from someone who scrapped the build with a adjustable GB and gas tube for $335 shipped

 

[Frank Green]

Proof helped develop the cartridge. I think they understand it well.

Are you sure about that? I know we made all the ammunition and accuracy test barrels for Hornady as well as the AR blanks for testing.

We also made the test barrels in a similar caliber/cartridge for testing that after that they went to the 6ARC.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[Frank Green]

Anything Craddock has ever turned out shoots well for me. I've got a Craddock 11.3" Bartlein in .223 Wylde that hasn't shot a group bigger than 3/4 MOA at 300 yards yet. And that's with a broke down 73 year old shooter and just 8X magnification.

Thanks for using our sticks!

 

[lennyo3034]

Thanks for using our sticks!

This one isn’t an ARC but still yours.

I did use a Craddock ARC on a Bartlien earlier this year for points towards the bullet.

 

[Randyvs]

Well I am going with a Mark Chanlynn 21 inch tube. It will be a bit before I get to shoot it but at this juncture have high hopes.

 

[Randyvs]

I actually was originally thinking of a light weight build 6mm ARC, Vseven receiver, Rubber city carrier assembly ( couldn’t locate a JP) decided on a mid weight superlative .750 stainless gas block, Seekins 15 inch hand guard, vltor stock, seekins lower kit, Vseven 57 degree selector (seekins ambi won’t work with the hyperfire trigger), Vseven buffer tube and enhanced rifle gas tube, Vseven barrel nut, h1 buffer, probably a tyrant grip, Vseven dust cover, and a Mark Chanlynn 21 inch 6mm ARC barrel thinking 1-7 twist. Unfortunately none of the components were budget minded but this will be my last firearm I am 65 and this will be paper, deer, maybe wolf in Alaska and Minnesota. I intended to build it but since I have to send bolt to Mark Chanlynn I’ve decided to have him assemble it. As I said I originally intended a light weight build but will end up mid weight. I am hoping this will be an accurate ball busting AR. I’ve had a Boots, Krieger, Paul Marquart barrels over the years all cut rifled never competing but personal satisfaction. They all performed better than my ability. I am not an AR platform expert in honesty I expect I could of gotten comparable components for more of a discount. Hopefully what I have invested in tiurns out to meet expectations. Just a fyi I grew up in Minnesota but reside in Alaska hence the Hyperfire trigger and if I could of located would of been a JP carrier.

 

[winxp_man]

Does anybody have experience with the Rainier ultra match 6 ARC barrels? They seem to go with the +1 gas lengths which I hear are preferable.

I know your post is quite old, But I'm also looking at the Rainier barrels.
If the reviews are real on their website, I would say they are nice barrels. I cant find any beside custom or the Rainier that come in .875 GB with what looks to possibly be a drop down to .820 at the muzzle or less. I called them today, and they said there will be a batch coming out sometime soon. They couldn't give me a on point time frame though. I will be waiting for one from them though. The other good barrel makers are way the hell out there with custom barrels.

 

[YotaEer]

I know your post is quite old, But I'm also looking at the Rainier barrels.
If the reviews are real on their website, I would say they are nice barrels. I cant find any beside custom or the Rainier that come in .875 GB with what looks to possibly be a drop down to .820 at the muzzle or less. I called them today, and they said there will be a batch coming out sometime soon. They couldn't give me a on point time frame though. I will be waiting for one from them though. The other good barrel makers are way the hell out there with custom barrels.

18" BCB 6MM ARC SS Match Barrel | Beer City Bullets

Beer City Bullets 18" 6MM ARC SS Match Barrel **Barrels include Black River Tactical MicroPin Gas Block and MarkBlue Gas Tube** Any 6MM ARC Bolts added to cart will be headspaced to your barrel. Add your JP Enhanced Bolt/Bolt Completion Kit here. The BCB 6MM ARC Barrels were created to fill a...

www.beercitybullets.com

I’ve had good luck with this barrel. It’s a cut rifled vortakt blank. Single digit SD’s, 2660 fps with 108 ELD reloads. Half inch groups.

 

[winxp_man]

18" BCB 6MM ARC SS Match Barrel | Beer City Bullets

Beer City Bullets 18" 6MM ARC SS Match Barrel **Barrels include Black River Tactical MicroPin Gas Block and MarkBlue Gas Tube** Any 6MM ARC Bolts added to cart will be headspaced to your barrel. Add your JP Enhanced Bolt/Bolt Completion Kit here. The BCB 6MM ARC Barrels were created to fill a...

www.beercitybullets.com

I’ve had good luck with this barrel. It’s a cut rifled vortakt blank. Single digit SD’s, 2660 fps with 108 ELD reloads. Half inch groups.

Kind of looking for a 22” barrel.

 

[padfoot 37]

Kind of looking for a 22” barrel.

Compass lake will make you whatever length barrel you want probably in a bartlrin, kreigar douglass or criterion tube. Love mine.

 

[winxp_man]

Compass lake will make you whatever length barrel you want probably in a bartlrin, kreigar douglass or criterion tube. Love mine.

You have an idea on lead times with them?

 

[padfoot 37]

You have an idea on lead times with them?

Nope. Grabbed one that was ready to ship a while back, think it was 6-8 weeks but i havnt checked in a while.

 

[thedarkknight]

I actually was originally thinking of a light weight build 6mm ARC, Vseven receiver, Rubber city carrier assembly ( couldn’t locate a JP) decided on a mid weight superlative .750 stainless gas block, Seekins 15 inch hand guard, vltor stock, seekins lower kit, Vseven 57 degree selector (seekins ambi won’t work with the hyperfire trigger), Vseven buffer tube and enhanced rifle gas tube, Vseven barrel nut, h1 buffer, probably a tyrant grip, Vseven dust cover, and a Mark Chanlynn 21 inch 6mm ARC barrel thinking 1-7 twist. Unfortunately none of the components were budget minded but this will be my last firearm I am 65 and this will be paper, deer, maybe wolf in Alaska and Minnesota. I intended to build it but since I have to send bolt to Mark Chanlynn I’ve decided to have him assemble it. As I said I originally intended a light weight build but will end up mid weight. I am hoping this will be an accurate ball busting AR. I’ve had a Boots, Krieger, Paul Marquart barrels over the years all cut rifled never competing but personal satisfaction. They all performed better than my ability. I am not an AR platform expert in honesty I expect I could of gotten comparable components for more of a discount. Hopefully what I have invested in tiurns out to meet expectations. Just a fyi I grew up in Minnesota but reside in Alaska hence the Hyperfire trigger and if I could of located would of been a JP carrier.

I’d be interested in to hear how this build turned out. I’ve been looking at V Seven stuff for a long time but not many good reviews on it. Have you used their Upper and handguard? I know it’s light but is it durable enough for hard use dependability? I’m referring to their lithium aluminum stuff btw

 

[12Bravo20]

I have an Odin Works 18" barrel with +2 rifle gas length. While there are better barrels available, the Odin Works barrel is doing great for me with factory 108Gr ammo.

Here is a 100 yard target from when I was sighting in my Arken SH4 scope and also breaking in the barrel.

The single shot circled in green and the two shots circled in blue were just getting the scope dialed in. The five shot group circled in yellow was my final group before trying out some factory 105Gr ammo.