I've been meaning to post a range report for this barrel, a .223 Wylde 1:8" 16" Criterion Hybrid 416r stainless steel mid-length barrel that is factory nitrided. I've had this set up for well over a year, I'm somewhere between 600 and 1,000 rounds down range.
I've experimented with a lot of different barrels, this one I'm extremely impressed with. I like a practical weight 16" barrel that is as accurate as possible and gassed well for both suppressed and unsuppressed. I shoot mostly between 100 and 600 yards, but I do train up close with this rifle from time to time. Basically it is the stereotypical do it all carbine for me.
Sample size of one, but I am extremely impressed with this barrel. It continues to be an honest and consistent sub MOA performer. It is also gassed absolutely perfectly for my needs. Not too overgassed with a Surefire 556 rc2, and more than enough gas with hand loads in the cold unsuppressed.
I shot a few different rifles today, this one performed as it typically does. Both AAC 77 SMK'S and handloaded 77SMK with 23.5 grains of IMR 8208 XBR performed as they typically do, .8's at 100 yards, MV around 2,640 FPS with respectable SD and extreme spread.
I also bought a box of 73 grain Berger hybrid bullets, I loaded up 10 rounds with a generic 23.0 grains of 8208, those also shot pretty well considering there was absolutely no load development. 10 shots into 1 MOA and I pulled one of them toward the end, it's also challenging to shoot tiny groups with this Vortex 1-10 optic (right side target in photo)
I can usually tighten things up if I put a 32x scope on for load development testing, but everything shot today was with a Vortex gen 3 razor 1-10.
I wanted to post a quick review of this barrel in case anyone was considering, I could not find any first-hand reviews when I bought this from Brownells for approximately $300. Money well spent, I will buy more of these.
I've experimented with a lot of different barrels, this one I'm extremely impressed with. I like a practical weight 16" barrel that is as accurate as possible and gassed well for both suppressed and unsuppressed. I shoot mostly between 100 and 600 yards, but I do train up close with this rifle from time to time. Basically it is the stereotypical do it all carbine for me.
Sample size of one, but I am extremely impressed with this barrel. It continues to be an honest and consistent sub MOA performer. It is also gassed absolutely perfectly for my needs. Not too overgassed with a Surefire 556 rc2, and more than enough gas with hand loads in the cold unsuppressed.
I shot a few different rifles today, this one performed as it typically does. Both AAC 77 SMK'S and handloaded 77SMK with 23.5 grains of IMR 8208 XBR performed as they typically do, .8's at 100 yards, MV around 2,640 FPS with respectable SD and extreme spread.
I also bought a box of 73 grain Berger hybrid bullets, I loaded up 10 rounds with a generic 23.0 grains of 8208, those also shot pretty well considering there was absolutely no load development. 10 shots into 1 MOA and I pulled one of them toward the end, it's also challenging to shoot tiny groups with this Vortex 1-10 optic (right side target in photo)
I can usually tighten things up if I put a 32x scope on for load development testing, but everything shot today was with a Vortex gen 3 razor 1-10.
I wanted to post a quick review of this barrel in case anyone was considering, I could not find any first-hand reviews when I bought this from Brownells for approximately $300. Money well spent, I will buy more of these.
