Gunsmithing Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

[21Bravo]

I must not be search function savvy as I didn't turn up what I was after.

Looking for opinions on the best 20" AR15 1-7/1-8" twist barrel to go with for a scoped up SDM type build. I've built a lot of ARs but never with a custom barrel with full intent of building the most accurate AR I can. Which company has the best reputation for putting out super accurate AR barrels?

Thanks a lot,

Craig P. in MO

 

[younggun22]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

i went with krieger and had CLE put it all together, im extremely pleased and Frank White is very helpful

 

[fx77]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

I too am very happy with the accuracy of a Compass Lake Engineering Build by Frank White.

 

[steelcomp]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

The Armalite 20" match barel is supposed to be an excellent barrel, and I believe it's a Kreiger, or Lothar. I've also heard good results from White Oak.

 

[Wind50cal]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

Steve Saturn should be considered. He has a little experience in this arena.

 

[CS95]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

Brux is making AR barrels and I would imagine that they are as nice as the rest of their barrels.

 

[Shadow_Warrior]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

Saturn = Zero Customer Service

 

[vmts4me]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

Check out Lilja at riflebarrels.com

Also check out rbprecision.com

 

[BForhan]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

Frank White Compass Lake you will not go wrong. There also is White Oak Armament they are top notch also.

Brian

 

[Pogo57]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

There are many great barrel makers out there. Most of them produce excellent barrels with a few that aren't so great. If one was truly and always better than everyone else, there would be only one brand being bought and used.

It's a Honda, Toyota thing.

The real test is what is the company's rep for dealing with a bad barrel.

 

[MikeeBooshay]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

+1 on the Lilja barrels. I have several and am very happy with them. Nice folks too.

 

[Criver600]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

My AR-15 guru HMSpike here on the hide says the Kriegers are doing quite well...... Hard to find a decent 22 barrel that won't shoot.

 

[USMCj]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

White Oak Precision (not White Oak Armament) or Krieger for me.

 

[jarheadkp]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

Krieger +1. As long you're not in a rush. It can take as long as 9 weeks to have it ship out, but you will be very happy when you go out with it for first time.

 

[Xshot]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

Lothar/Walthar makes a drop-in .223 Wylde (20" SS, 1:8 twist, Var/Tac profile) barrel that comes with a matched & headspaced bolt. You like the price ($280.00) and delivery is very quick. Extremely accurate and durable barrel. I've got one and it's a tack driver.

 

[21Bravo]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

This subject is as I suspected. It appears most of the more well known barrel makers have a good product when it comes to higher end AR barrels.

Anybody have any horror stories with any of barrels mentioned so far. I understand every product coming off of a line can't be perfect and a bad one may be a fluke. If you don't want to post here shoot me an IM.

I have had horror stories before. I bought a new barrel that still had a lot of lapping compound in it and obviously had not completed the process. 3/4 of the chamber was so rough the brass would expand into the rough areas turning the gun into single shot, modern looking muzzle "unloader" I had to use a cleaning rod and rubber mallet to get the brass out of the chamber. This was during the peak demand for AR parts, I presume it was pulled for inspection and thrown back in the completion process at the wrong time.

 

[Graham]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

There are lots of good barrels out there: the known custom barrel makers all make good tubes. I have a Douglas, a production barrel, which costs less but shoots fine.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 21Bravo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">3/4 of the chamber was so rough the brass would expand into the rough areas turning the gun into single shot, moderning looking muzzle "unloader" I had to use a cleaning rod and rubber mallet to get the brass out of the chamber.</div></div>What happened to the bolt?

 

[21Bravo]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

I applied pressure to the unlocked charging handle at the same time so the bolt would unlock as the brass moved to the rear. Talk about looking like a "Monkey $#^%& a football". It was a 6.8 barrel.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There are lots of good barrels out there: the known custom barrel makers all make good tubes. I have a Douglas, a production barrel, which costs less but shoots fine.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 21Bravo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">3/4 of the chamber was so rough the brass would expand into the rough areas turning the gun into single shot, moderning looking muzzle "unloader" I had to use a cleaning rod and rubber mallet to get the brass out of the chamber.</div></div>What happened to the bolt?</div></div>

 

[amandaruiz31]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

We have had 1/2 moa groups out to 600 yards starting with Rock Creek 1-8 twist blanks, this is out of an 18.5" DMR (designated marksman rifle)

 

[R.Walters]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

white oak armorment, lilja, and kreiger are all good barrels but the kregiers are expensive to be had

 

[jwn8552]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

White Oak Armament used to use Wilson barrels with Wylde chambers,and you could get a 1x7 twist. I have had them and I have had John Holliger(White Oak Precision)install Krieger's on my AR's. They all shot really great.

 

[Mgordon]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

I had a nice Mk 12 mod O upper built with a WOA barrel and it was nice, but just would not shoot better than 3/4 MOA with most factory and just bout every handload I developed.


Also, PAC Nor 3 land and 3 groove just simply won't produce groups less than 1". I checked both barrels and rifles over thoroughly and cannot come up with any indicators of why.

I would just get a Krieger and be done with it.

Mark

 

[saryan]

Re: Most Accurate 5.56/.223 AR15 Barrel for Build

Krieger, Noveske, Mike Rock. Consistently great barrels.