Longer AR barrels

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Downzero

-
Full Member
Minuteman
    • Oct 15, 2006
    2,679
    346
    NM
    #1
    So I have a carbine to shoot up "close," and I'm considering building a heavy and extremely long AR because it'd be super cheap to shoot an flat shooting out to 3-400 with lighter bullets. I would like to go 1 in 12ish twist with it and get the longest possible barrel to maximize velocity without too much pressure.

    Does anyone think this is a very bad idea? It'd seem counterproductive to have a heavy and long AR, but I already have a short one that shoots great up close. I also have a bolt gun that is fun to shoot at distance, but the idea of a .223 that shoots like a laser to 300 and the possibility of a 6.5 grendel for the same lower is so persuasive that I almost can't resist.

    26" seems like the logical option but the only company I know of that offers that in a complete upper is White Oak and it's 1 in 8 (which would be cool for longer distances but that's not what I want to use this one for).

    Does anyone have any suggestions? BTW, I'm not against building an upper, but there are so many out there for 550-700 dollars that I'm reluctant to do so.

    I would like it threaded for a brake or can as well, which limits some of the options, but I'm not against sending it off to get threaded if the rest of it is a deal.

    Any suggestions would be great. I'd thought everything with an AR had been done, but it seems that my favorite configurations (14.5 and super light and 26"+ and heavyish) are harder to come by. I have the former; I'm looking to build or buy the latter and open to advice.

    I will spend a little more to build the upper if it's exactly what I want, fwiw, but it'd need to be 1 in 12, preferably 26" or longer if possible, heavy barrel, preferably not stainless steel, and come with a threaded barrel.

    Not too worried about budget but don't want to go out of control either.
     
    #2
    Re: Longer AR barrels

    I have a 28" Grendel, it is the same length as my 24" boltgun, so yeah long barrels work well in a given application. I would not want to swing it a lot.
    Now prone in the dirt across long ass open areas it is a FUCKING HAMMER and I do contribute a fair amount of its performance to squeaking out every bit of performance from the round and getting the most of the high BC bullet without pushing.

    Look at custom barrel makers for a blank with the rifling you want and a smith to profile, chamber, finish the blank and do the rest of the upper build. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a barrel that will finish at 26" or more with a 12 twist.

    After that its a AR, as mild to wild as you want it.
     
    #3
    Re: Longer AR barrels

    I'm really trying to avoid paying a smith to chamber a barrel because an AR isn't exactly rocket surgery and they all shoot good, but I will if I have to.

    Where did you get your 28" Grendel barrel? Something in me suggests that paying $600 for an AR barrel in .223 isn't worth it because even the $200 ones shoot great, but I didn't start this thread to reinforce my judgment so I'm open to suggestions.

    I'm also a little curious about how 40 grainers would shoot in a 1 in 9 versus 12 because normally I'd only shoot the heaviest bullets for a given caliber, but for this rifle I'm going for something a little different (flat and relatively short range rather than long and "who cares" about the rainbow trajectory.
     
    #4
    Re: Longer AR barrels

    As the owner of a White Oak upper I suggest that you call White Oak and speak with Hollinger. He can build you what you want. Just because it's not on his website does not mean he will not build it. He does custom builds all the time. Also ask him about an extended length gas system. He knows a lot about this topic. Higher velocity cooler gas in the chanber - just need to make sure you get an extra long free float tube to cover the tube. Talk to him about twist rates too - he will not steer you wrong.
     
    #5
    Re: Longer AR barrels

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">I'm really trying to avoid paying a smith to chamber a barrel because an AR isn't exactly rocket surgery and they all shoot good, but I will if I have to.</span></span>

    Where did you get your 28" Grendel barrel? Something in me suggests that paying $600 for an AR barrel in .223 isn't worth it because even the $200 ones shoot great, but I didn't start this thread to reinforce my judgment so I'm open to suggestions.

    I'm also a little curious about how 40 grainers would shoot in a 1 in 9 versus 12 because normally I'd only shoot the heaviest bullets for a given caliber, but for this rifle I'm going for something a little different (flat and relatively short range rather than long and "who cares" about the rainbow trajectory. </div></div>

    I believe that you might overestimate your knowledge of the AR-15 platform as evidenced by your opening statement. I'm not aware of anybody who has the knowledge, machinery and tooling to manufacture an AR barrel that labels themselves a gunsmith. I did learn something today though, they all shoot good. All AR's shoot good or all gunsmiths shoot good? It's a punctuation thing... You pay what you get for!
     
    #6
    Re: Longer AR barrels

    Get yourself a Rock River Arms 24" Varmint Upper. You can get one in 1-12 twist. They are great shooters, I have an 1-8 and 1-12 both shoot great. Try GunBroker.com for one. My .02...PS: you can also get just the barrel from them.
     
    #7
    Re: Longer AR barrels

    I don't think you will gain any advantage over what you have. First, the .223 case is too small to take advantage of a 26" barrel even without going to the faster burning powders needed for lighter bullets (most long AR barrels are for extra sight radius with irons); and second, going from a 7 twist to a 12 twist won't make a measurable difference in pressures.
     
    #8
    Re: Longer AR barrels

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: m_gale</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">I'm really trying to avoid paying a smith to chamber a barrel because an AR isn't exactly rocket surgery and they all shoot good, but I will if I have to.</span></span>

    Where did you get your 28" Grendel barrel? Something in me suggests that paying $600 for an AR barrel in .223 isn't worth it because even the $200 ones shoot great, but I didn't start this thread to reinforce my judgment so I'm open to suggestions.

    I'm also a little curious about how 40 grainers would shoot in a 1 in 9 versus 12 because normally I'd only shoot the heaviest bullets for a given caliber, but for this rifle I'm going for something a little different (flat and relatively short range rather than long and "who cares" about the rainbow trajectory. </div></div>

    I believe that you might overestimate your knowledge of the AR-15 platform as evidenced by your opening statement. I'm not aware of anybody who has the knowledge, machinery and tooling to manufacture an AR barrel that labels themselves a gunsmith. I did learn something today though, they all shoot good. All AR's shoot good or all gunsmiths shoot good? It's a punctuation thing... You pay what you get for! </div></div>

    Sorry, late at night and a long day.

    There is about a $300 premium between buying a pre-chambered barrel and paying a smith to chamber one. While there's zero doubt in my mind that such a barrel will perform better than a pre-chambered barrel, I'm reluctant to expend that premium, unless I have to.

    24" wouldn't be so bad, and perhaps rather than messing with longer gas systems, I should just go that route.

    And just because you get what you pay for does not mean that there is not diminishing marginal utility to paying more. If a $500 barrel doesn't shoot twice as accurately as a $250 one, you might think that you "got" what you paid for, whereas I'd think I got taken for a ride.

    Gunsmiths are awesome, but at the end of the day, they're just like machinists. Tight tolerances that produce performance are great. Tolerances for the sake of tolerances just raises the bill. That's all I'm trying to avoid.
     
    #13
    Re: Longer AR barrels

    The extra long barrel isn't really necessary. Stick to 18-20" If you look at the Larue OBR the 16" barrel will really reach out and touch someone. Lot's of bolt guns are shortening the barrels too. Used to think a 24" is necessary but now i'm running a 22" and I've got friends with 18 and 20" barrels still shooting to a grand.
     
    #14
    Re: Longer AR barrels

    I say 26" is way too short get a 30" for sure. Yes definitely pay a gunsmith to chamber it for you because as you say you are sure it will shoot better.



    You should listen to the guy from Specialized Armament when he said you don't know much about the platform. You should be seeking advice, not sticking to your ridiculous preconceived notions about how things work.
     
    #16
    Re: Longer AR barrels

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: xp100man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well when you get what you want keep us up to date. </div></div>

    When I find someone selling what I want, I will be in good shape.

    I'm not sure why it's so controversial to point out that I have a short, light, handy AR already and that I want the opposite for this one.
     
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