Craddock Precision .224V Upper Barrel Question

[Back Spin]

I am looking to get into a .224V upper. The Craddock Precision 20” complete upper looks to be a good turn key solution. It comes with a 1/7 twist Criterion barrel.
https://craddockprecision.com/medium-heavy-contour-224-valkyrie-complete-upper/

I will use this for an occasional long range steel match out to 1000 yards on 2MOA targets. I plan to shoot factory loads only (75 FMJ’s and Hornady 88’s or 90 grain FGMM).

I’m worried I would be selling myself significantly short by going with the pre-made upper as opposed to having one built to different specifications. My questions are these:

-Is the there a distinct advantage going with a Bartlein barrel vs. the Criterion? There’s a $200 difference between the two.

-Is 20” good for what I’m looking to do with this gun, or should I go to a 22” barrel?

Thank you all in advance for your input.

 

[Precision Underground]

I personally would go 22”. By my calculations and looking at barrel cut down tests 22” is the sweet spot for performance without a ridic long barrel. I would say a craddock upper would perform as well or better than anything else. The only criterion I have experience with is my savage prefit and it’s a freaking hammer.

 

[Precision Underground]

FWIW I’ll be going with a 22” criterion from craddock when I convert my AR

 

[lash]

Give Paul Craddock a call and ask him those questions. He is very open and up front with his answers. That said, I also think that 22” is a good optimal length for an AR based .224 V if your goal is consistency at 1000. I also do not think that you would be giving up much by getting the upper from him. Though, if you decide that you want a more custom approach, he can accommodate that too.

 

[olive drab]

Talk to Paul. I had a 308 barrel built by him last year and spoke with him on the phone and asked a ton of questions via email before finalizing the order. He turns a top notch barrel.

 

[Lunchbox27]

I have the same upper, but in 22”. I would go no shorter than 22”. Velocity coming out of mine with 88g ELD ammo is 2630ish. No issues ringing a 10” plate at 915 yards (plates past that were down for the day).

Call Paul, as others have said. Great guy, awesome smith!

 

[Potss]

The Craddock is probably the best turn key option for the money. I'd just get him to add an adjustable gas block.

 

[MSTN]

Craddock has become my source for the majority of the precision barrels I use. (The other is Proof.)

I've got a 20" 1x7 Bartlein barrel from Craddock in my personal .224 V. I'm getting 2690 fps from FGMM 90 SMK (SD 10 fps) and 2677 fps with Hornady 88 ELD (SD 14 fps) over an Oehler 35P chrono.

All my shooting is suppressed with a Thunder Beast Ultra 7 in .223. I'm using an SLR adjustable gas block.

Accuracy is a tad better with the FGMM, so far, averaging in the .5 - .6 MOA range for five shots. Some groups have been one holers in the .3 - .4 range, however. I've noticed accuracy falling off after 100 rounds or so. I believe this is due to:

Long bearing surface of the heavy bullets

Lots of powder being burned in that tiny bore

The Thunder Beast suppressor generating lots of back pressure

Pix of the rifle:

 

[gamewarden]

Wes

How have the Proof barrels been?

 

[MSTN]

Absolutely crazy about them!

I've been using the CFW barrels with superlative for some time:

5.56mm:

14.5" mid-length
16" intermediate length
18" rifle length

6.5 CM:

22" with +2 gas
24" bolt gun

They shoot great, clean up nicely, and are amazingly light in weight.

I just purchased my first all stainless Proof barrel, a 20" .224 Valkyrie with +1 gas system. Not lightweight! I'm looking forward to building that one up for someone soon.

 

[MSTN]

Just finished another 20" .224 Valkyrie with Craddock-produced Bartlein barrel yesterday:

 

[Lesco Brandon]

I ordered the Craddock Percision criterion but in 24”. I’m not sweeping houses or I’d get a 16”.