Mega 10 Barrels. Review Coming Soon! **Pic Heavy**

[CK_32]

Fresh from my LGS.. Guaranteed Sub MOA accuracy... Reported starts as a Shilen blank.. MSRP $326.

Couldn't find anything on the net since these are fairly new. So hopefully well see how this goes.. See if the sub MOA is true. Even with me behind the drivers seat.

 

[CK_32]

Initial thoughts.


Packaged very well. Definitely will be no damage during shipment or in the back room. Decent coat of lube.

Clean finish and machining. No tooling marks.

.750 diameter gas block profile. 16 and 18" midlength gas systems, 20" rifle length gas system. No gas block screw dimples.

Clean crown and threading.

 

[Megahoser]

Interested...

 

[WildBill3/75]

Looks good, I like mega arms products.

 

[Thebelly]

Any idea why not a rifle length system on the 18"?

 

[CK_32]

Any idea why not a rifle length system on the 18"?

Not a clue. Sent them an email to see why directly from the horses mouth. I thought that was weird too to put a rifle length on the 20" but the 16/18 share the mid length system.

I worry over over gassing with my standard non adj gas block but we'll wait and see. But an advantage is the gas block will be hidden under the rail which I do like the look of.


Hopefully I'll post back in with more details. Another shooter hit me up on another forum who also purchased the 20" mega for his build and hopefully we can work out a shoot and both see if we can tell the different in the 20 vs 18 as for gassing issues and recoil.

 

[CK_32]

When the gas port is the appropriate size, mid length is just fine. Most AR-15 barrels are moving toward the "SPR" 18" rifle length positions, but in the .308 versions, we found this to be less finicky and more accurate.

Just received this email from Mega this morning as to why they chose the mid-length system over rifle length for their 18" barrels.

 

[McGilbery]

Shot my 18 inch mega barrel in my Maten today. Shooting off of a sandbag I got around 1 MOA with FGMM 168 at 100 yards. When I put it in a rifle rest I got .460 outside to outside on a 3 shot group which would be .152 if I subtract .308 if this is correct. I am shooting it suppressed with a TBAC 30p1. Using the suppressor, Seekins precision adjustable gas block and slash heavy buffer it blows powder everywhere. The ammo left in the mag was coated. On another note don't get the Seekins adjustable gas block with the mega barrel. You will have to remove the gas block and tube once you get it adjusted to tighten the set screw in the rear due to the heavier contour of the barrel behind the as block. I will post a pic of the groups later.

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[CK_32]

Installed the barrel on this morning. VERY tight fit in the JD reciever. Gave it a generious coat of white lithium high temp grease and gave it more than a few good wacks to seat it the reciever.

*** Make it a point to align the barrel dimple with the barrel thread slot before you even start to install, because once it's started there is no spinning with out a great deal of effort.***

I was off a little but close enough to let me just tap it in and work it self into proper alignment. Made sure to be gentle and take my time not to ruin the threads.

Standard AR15/M16 .750 JD Machine LowPro fit on with out a hitch. They do offer different barrel profiles but I chose the .750 profile to fit standard AR15 gas blocks.

So far so good. More updated to come when I finish up the rest and get out to the range for a range report.

 

[JohnC76]

I've been eyeing these since they hit the market. If they prove to be as good as other Mega products, I'm going to pick myself up one for my MATEN build.


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[McGilbery]

Here are a couple results I got with my Maten with 18 " mega barrel at 100 yards all were 3 shot groups. Averaged 1 MOA or less shooting off of a sandbag. Shot the one group using a rifle rest and got .460 outside to outside.


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[CK_32]

Awesome! Take it out and see how it fairs at 600+

What ammo were you using?

 

[McGilbery]

168 FGMM
Hopefully I can take it out longer one day. Right now that is not plausible with my work and distance to my property where I shoot.


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[hdbiker1]

... Reported starts as a Shilen blank.. MSRP $326.

Couldn't find anything on the net since these are fairly new. So hopefully well see how this goes.. See if the sub MOA is true. Even with me behind the drivers seat.

The Mega barrels do not start as a Shilen blank. Do some research and you will find that Mega uses a barrel company that was aided by Shilen during start up in Spain. The company now makes blanks and some complete barrels in the US now also. (Bergara)

 

[CK_32]

The Mega barrels do not start as a Shilen blank. Do some research and you will find that Mega uses a barrel company that was aided by Shilen during start up in Spain. The company now makes blanks and some complete barrels in the US now also. (Bergara)

Care to post the web info you came across confirming? My google foo is weak. Those do look like the barrels but I see nothing saying this re in fact the barrels on either that barrels site or megas. I saw forum talk of shilens so I mentioned it. But if you can support that info please post it.

If not I contacted mega and hopefully Ill have a answer monday if they release that info which I doubt. Most never do.

 

[hdbiker1]

Care to post the web info you came across confirming? My google foo is weak. Those do look like the barrels but I see nothing saying this re in fact the barrels on either that barrels site or megas. I saw forum talk of shilens so I mentioned it. But if you can support that info please post it.

If not I contacted mega and hopefully Ill have a answer monday if they release that info which I doubt. Most never do.

This video is all I could find at the moment, but on Bergara's site, they had a write up of such (which I can't find). Also, I had a problem with a 20" Mega barrel which I met with Jason of Mega about. I told him I had a barrel that looked like the lands were smeared at the throat. Upon inspection, he found that the barrel's throat was indeed ugly. Further discussion, I told him I knew who the barrel maker was and he gave me the stink eye and asked me how I found out. Claimed it was suppose to be a trade secret.

Bergara Barrels Ed Shilen.mp4 - YouTube

 

[TRD1911]

Care to post the web info you came across confirming? My google foo is weak. Those do look like the barrels but I see nothing saying this re in fact the barrels on either that barrels site or megas. I saw forum talk of shilens so I mentioned it. But if you can support that info please post it.

If not I contacted mega and hopefully Ill have a answer monday if they release that info which I doubt. Most never do.

From Rainier Arms website in regards to the Mega Barrels -

"We wanted to build an .308 barrel using the finest blank and mass produce them to bring them to market at the most competitive prices. Our UltraMatch™ barrels start out as Shilen blanks and contoured to our specifications."

https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2236

 

[CK_32]

From Rainier Arms website in regards to the Mega Barrels -

"We wanted to build an .308 barrel using the finest blank and mass produce them to bring them to market at the most competitive prices. Our UltraMatch™ barrels start out as Shilen blanks and contoured to our specifications."

https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2236

Yup. Almost the same exact specs as Mega barrels, 18" running a mid gas system, 1:10, same threads.. Only they dont list the type of SS but im sure its the same 416 which Mega is running. Either way the grouping photo above says all I need to know. I dont care if its made by larry potterfield him self if thats how they shoot they are doing something right hah


And the responce from mega was as expected with no info given on their barrel maker. But they did hint at Shilen/Bergara. So its one of the 2 if not one in the same.

 

[TRD1911]

Ditto. Really tempted to give one a rip.

 

[hdbiker1]

If you'd read the Rainier statement, their Ultramatch barrels are made from Shilen blanks. They are chambered and finished by a subcontracted machine shop close by.
As for Mega, when I told Jason I knew their source, he immediately contacted my dealer/friend and admonished him for disclosing the manufacturer,even though it was someone else in the business that informed me. But you are right, it doesn't matter who makes it as long as it'll perform consistently.

 

[MidwestPX]

I have yet to have someone come back and say they were let down by the performance of a Mega Arms barrel. I've spoken at length with two customers who replaced other more expensive match grade barrels and said they saw significant improvement in groupings.

 

[scatsob]

Any reason for not putting rifle length gas systems on the 16" barrels?

 

[CK_32]

Any reason for not putting rifle length gas systems on the 16" barrels?

Yea up asked them a few weeks ago and this is what they said about it.

When the gas port is the appropriate size, mid length is just fine. Most AR-15 barrels are moving toward the "SPR" 18" rifle length positions, but in the .308 versions, we found this to be less finicky and more accurate.

 

[scatsob]

I guess it was more of a form over function thing. In researching parts for an M110K1 I found it interesting that no custom barrel maker has a 16" barrel with a rifle length system. Just curious.

 

[KULT]

I'll give you an update on that once I get my barrel extensions shipped from bat machine. The main reason it's not very popular is it will limit the kind of ammo you can use. The M110 / K are meant for 118LR and other match ammo that is fairly hot. Early guns did not run well on ball or other ammo and had to have the gas ports opened up. If you open them up too much the guns get over gassed with out an adjustable gas block.

I guess it was more of a form over function thing. In researching parts for an M110K1 I found it interesting that no custom barrel maker has a 16" barrel with a rifle length system. Just curious.

 

[Grand]

Why do the Mega barrels have M4 cuts, and their upper receiver does not?

 

[1slow01z71]

Do the .936 gas blocks not fit under most rails? I had planned to go the mega mkm route with a jp barrel and the slr adjustable gas block. I do like the profile of the mega barrel and going down to a 750 block will give me more options. Does anyone have results on this barrel with handloads?

 

[-Nick-]

If you'd read the Rainier statement, their Ultramatch barrels are made from Shilen blanks. They are chambered and finished by a subcontracted machine shop close by.
As for Mega, when I told Jason I knew their source, he immediately contacted my dealer/friend and admonished him for disclosing the manufacturer,even though it was someone else in the business that informed me. But you are right, it doesn't matter who makes it as long as it'll perform consistently.

Actually in the past the Rainier Ultramatch and Match barrels are worked over by WOA, and the Select barrels were done by Black Hole Weaponry. Unless they've made some change in the last 6 months which I doubt it should still be the case.

 

[-Nick-]

Do the .936 gas blocks not fit under most rails? I had planned to go the mega mkm route with a jp barrel and the slr adjustable gas block. I do like the profile of the mega barrel and going down to a 750 block will give me more options. Does anyone have results on this barrel with handloads?

Certain contours require .936 or else you won't be able to even get the gas block on, but it should fit most handguards anyways.

 

[-Nick-]

Why do the Mega barrels have M4 cuts, and their upper receiver does not?

That is weird considering their AR-15 receivers do have the feed ramps. It might be they cut them for compatibility with other 308 receivers that do have the feeds ramps.

 

[TRD1911]

Installed the barrel on this morning. VERY tight fit in the JD reciever. Gave it a generious coat of white lithium high temp grease and gave it more than a few good wacks to seat it the reciever.

*** Make it a point to align the barrel dimple with the barrel thread slot before you even start to install, because once it's started there is no spinning with out a great deal of effort.***

I was off a little but close enough to let me just tap it in and work it self into proper alignment. Made sure to be gentle and take my time not to ruin the threads.

Standard AR15/M16 .750 JD Machine LowPro fit on with out a hitch. They do offer different barrel profiles but I chose the .750 profile to fit standard AR15 gas blocks.

So far so good. More updated to come when I finish up the rest and get out to the range for a range report.

Any update so far?

 

[CK_32]

Quick check in on my build progress. Still waiting on the brake and then get some glass and mounts. Then she'll be shoot ready.

Then once completed I'm waiting on another shooter with the same build parts to finish his build. That way me and him can meet ,shoot and compare our 18" and 20" barrels and compare the pros and cons between both and see if we can find or feel a difference between the 2.

 

[TRD1911]

Looking forward to an update. How difficult has the build been up to this point?

 

[TACTICAL45]

Just bought my 18" MEGA barrel last night from Rainier. Any updates on how yours is shooting?
The Rainier Arms Ultra Match showed signs of a burr from machining, noticed the markings on the brass. Had it scoped and confirmed my thoughts. Called Rainier, they seem to handling it with good customer service so far, I will be sending it back next week and wait to see what they will do about it.