Too Many Barrels... I Am Lost

[Biglizard]

Firstly, I am new to the forum and I thank everyone here for spreading knowledge to one of my favorite hobbies. That said, I am very lost on my first AR 15 build.

I am NOT new to the platform. I have a Stag and a M&P but this will be my first Frankenstein. So far I am going with Aero upper and lower, BCM BCG, Blackout Defense trigger, Stngr handguard, I think I have some good stuff in the basket. But here comes the part I am just STUCK on... Barrels.

I really had no clue just how diverse the barrel world is and I am not afraid to admit that I am stuck. Here is what I am hoping to find... 16" barrel, 2lbs and under to keep it lighter, 223 Wylde chambering, will be using this for possible courses and bench shooting so I would like to a do a bit of everything well if possible. My wallet cap is probably around $350.

So far I have in mind the Criterion Hybrid Rifle Gas, Odin mid length, BA Premium fluted, Rainer Ultramatch Mod2, Faxon Match Flame Fluted.... if I am missing any to consider please let me know. I neeeeeed your thoughts and opinions because I am hovering my finger over the buy button on everything else right now. Much appreciated!

 

[Kadams1563]

I know I would be looking at the criterion and the rainier out of your choices and scrap the rest.

Look at Wilson combat barrels as well.

 

[Biglizard]

I know I would be looking at the criterion and the rainier out of your choices and scrap the rest.

Look at Wilson combat barrels as well.

Much appreciated!

 

[Rerun7]

Checks all your boxes. I use one on my comp gun and have been happy with it.

Rainier Arms Match .223 Wylde Lightweight Barrel

Rainier Arms Match .223 Wylde Lightweight Barrel Many have asked us to build a barrel with the same workmanship as our UltraMatch barrels while keeping it more affordable. We are able to reach our goal by sourcing a very high end barrel blank at an afford

www.rainierarms.com

 

[UpSideDown]

What @Kadams1563 said. Criterion and Rainier Match are great barrels. BA and Faxon are junk, or at least have a high end-user reject rate. I would also consider a Shilen Stainless Match, they make a pencil profile that shoots very well.

 

[n2ishun]

Same here.
Criterion and Rainier, but will add that I have had a Wilson barrel that musta been made on hangover Monday or some shit.
It would put 3 rounds in 1 hole with 2 flyers that was so consistent I could windage them into a decent group.
Didn't matter what load, what wind, what temp, humidity, and so on.
3 in 1 hole, 1 flyer at 7 o'clock 1.25 inch out, 1 flyer at 4 o'clock 1.25 inch out.
Not some times....every-fucking-time.

 

[Kadams1563]

Same here.
Criterion and Rainier, but will add that I have had a Wilson barrel that musta been made on hangover Monday or some shit.
It would put 3 rounds in 1 hole with 2 flyers that was so consistent I could windage them into a decent group.
Didn't matter what load, what wind, what temp, humidity, and so on.
3 in 1 hole, 1 flyer at 7 o'clock 1.25 inch out, 1 flyer at 4 o'clock 1.25 inch out.
Not some times....every-fucking-time.

Oh man! Well take the WC off the list lol. I always read good thing but I admit this was a while back when I searched about them.

 

[Dildobaggins]

Well as everyone stated I'd go with criterion or Rainer arms. Rainer is going to be well over your budget at $400 plus tax and shipping. I would also look into the criterion core. @Molon did a great review on the core barrels. However, I think you might be asking for a bit much. Not at the price point, but at the use of the firearm. You might get an absolute hammer, but guys that shoot consistently well off a bench, like 1/2 moa consistently, are not using barrels that are under 2 pounds. If you were going to do the best of both worlds, I'd get a White oak armament SPR barrel with flutes. They are around $350. That would check all the boxes for me. I have a WOA barrel, and it's the most accurate thing I've ever shot.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Agree with everyone so far, Rainier and Criterion are good, but Odin is surprisingly good as well. If you get the Odin, upgrade to the 16" intermediate over the mid.

 

[Constructor]

Same here.
Criterion and Rainier, but will add that I have had a Wilson barrel that musta been made on hangover Monday or some shit.
It would put 3 rounds in 1 hole with 2 flyers that was so consistent I could windage them into a decent group.
Didn't matter what load, what wind, what temp, humidity, and so on.
3 in 1 hole, 1 flyer at 7 o'clock 1.25 inch out, 1 flyer at 4 o'clock 1.25 inch out.
Not some times....every-fucking-time.

Feeding 5 from the mag 1st and 5th out? Think that barrel was just FNing with you?

 

[bfoosh006]

Molon's Criterion CORE review... made me buy one. Accuracy improved as the barrel broke in.

The CORE profile should make for a well balanced AR... IE, not a lot of weight out on the end of the barrel.

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/criterion-core-barrel-accuracy-evaluation.7096829/

 

[mheimer_45]

Why not call up white oak and have them spin a barrel up for. I have never used on but the reviews are great. Not sure about lead time tho. I know compass lake is way out there on lead times.

 

[Dildobaggins]

Why not call up white oak and have them spin a barrel up for. I have never used on but the reviews are great. Not sure about lead time tho. I know compass lake is way out there on lead times.

When I bought mine about 6 months ago, it said backordered, and I think I had the barrel at my door in less than 3 weeks.

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

I know I would be looking at the criterion and the rainier out of your choices and scrap the rest.

Look at Wilson combat barrels as well.

x2.. from the list you have, Criterion and Rainier.
White Oak, Compass Lake, and Craddock Precision would make you as good of a barrel as it gets also.

 

[db2000]

These are on sale for a good barrel. Not recommending for match use but just fyi.

https://www.primaryarms.com/brand/rosco-manufacturing

 

[Kadams1563]

These are on sale for a good barrel. Not recommending for match use but just fyi.

https://www.primaryarms.com/brand/rosco-manufacturing

Damn those are cheap. I have a bloodline in my 11.5 build with no issues. That 13.7 is tempting.

 

[Eustice]

White Oak barrels are great and they’re very reasonable. If you’re in no hurry they run pretty good Black Friday deals.

 

[Jsp556]

16" 223 Wylde 3R Scout barrel,1/2-28

ar15performance.com

Until you get into the custom barrel price range, you’ll be hard pressed to beat it. They shoot. For $190, they’re a steal. Pretty sure you can get the port size you want if you specify in your order. Stainless are available on his site as well.

 

[346ci]

+1 on an ARP. You will need to step up to a custom if you need something better.

 

[acudaowner]

it's easy pick one any brand you can afford and enjoy it , shoot till it does not shoot anymore , if you like it buy another and repeat or try another brand and keep at it till you find one you really like most of the high end barrels are great not sure any of them are making crappy products if there still making barrels and called a premier barrel maker ..

 

[moosemeat]

White oaks is amazingly good.

Looks like their SDM 16" would stick almost all the boxes. Its 2.13 pounds is the only bad. But it's in stock.

 

[Naaman]

View attachment 7902824View attachment 7902825View attachment 7902826

Is the 3R indicating that it has 3-groove rifling?

 

[Constructor]

Is the 3R indicating that it has 3-groove rifling?

Yes 3"R" similar to 5R

 

[308pirate]

Firstly, I am new to the forum and I thank everyone here for spreading knowledge to one of my favorite hobbies. That said, I am very lost on my first AR 15 build.

I am NOT new to the platform. I have a Stag and a M&P but this will be my first Frankenstein. So far I am going with Aero upper and lower, BCM BCG, Blackout Defense trigger, Stngr handguard, I think I have some good stuff in the basket. But here comes the part I am just STUCK on... Barrels.

I really had no clue just how diverse the barrel world is and I am not afraid to admit that I am stuck. Here is what I am hoping to find... 16" barrel, 2lbs and under to keep it lighter, 223 Wylde chambering, will be using this for possible courses and bench shooting so I would like to a do a bit of everything well if possible. My wallet cap is probably around $350.

So far I have in mind the Criterion Hybrid Rifle Gas, Odin mid length, BA Premium fluted, Rainer Ultramatch Mod2, Faxon Match Flame Fluted.... if I am missing any to consider please let me know. I neeeeeed your thoughts and opinions because I am hovering my finger over the buy button on everything else right now. Much appreciated!

How about stop looking for even more choices to consider?

You're already nearly paralyzed with indecision. More choices are not going to improve that.

 

[greentick]

Take all the choices in this thread and make a pie chart about 10" across. Throw a dart, purchase barrel, install in your build and go shoot the shit out of it and be happy.

(Though ARP is the only one I have of those listed and it's great)

 

[Huskydriver]

Compass lake or gbpse

 

[Dildobaggins]

What's the point of commenting if you don't actually read the entire post? CLE, Craddock, Etc are way out of his price range. He said a cap of $350. I swear sometimes this forum is just an echo chamber for people to post what they like.

 

[Huskydriver]

What's the point of commenting if you don't actually read the entire post? CLE, Craddock, Etc are way out of his price range. He said a cap of $350. I swear sometimes this forum is just an echo chamber for people to post what they like.

I didn't realize 50 bucks was out of the question....

Ready to Ship: Douglas-SS Tactical 16" Over-run SALE - Compass Lake Engineering, LLC

Douglas-SS: Modified Tactical Barrel .850 UHG .750 Gas Block .720 Muzzle Length: 16" Twist: 1-7 Chamber: Wylde Gas System: MID Thread: 1/2-28 Finish: Polish

compasslake.com

 

[Dildobaggins]

I didn't realize 50 bucks was out of the question....

Ready to Ship: Douglas-SS Tactical 16" Over-run SALE - Compass Lake Engineering, LLC

Douglas-SS: Modified Tactical Barrel .850 UHG .750 Gas Block .720 Muzzle Length: 16" Twist: 1-7 Chamber: Wylde Gas System: MID Thread: 1/2-28 Finish: Polish

compasslake.com

$400....plus tax....plus shipping. Also the word cap, means max. So yep. 50 over that is probably out of the question.

 

[Naaman]

Is the 3R indicating that it has 3-groove rifling?

Crazy. Makes me wonder what the lower limit is for grooves...

 

[308pirate]

Crazy. Makes me wonder what the lower limit is for grooves...

One

Duh

 

[nn8734]

I didn't realize 50 bucks was out of the question....

Ready to Ship: Douglas-SS Tactical 16" Over-run SALE - Compass Lake Engineering, LLC

Douglas-SS: Modified Tactical Barrel .850 UHG .750 Gas Block .720 Muzzle Length: 16" Twist: 1-7 Chamber: Wylde Gas System: MID Thread: 1/2-28 Finish: Polish

compasslake.com

Its not, OP said “cap is probably around $350” in the first post, which means he may (and should) spend a little bit more for the right barrel (the heart of the system):

… I would like to a do a bit of everything well if possible. My wallet cap is probably around $350.

. Much appreciated!

Otherwise its time to go be poor somewhere else.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Crazy. Makes me wonder what the lower limit is for grooves...

I'm fingering a Lee Enfield No.4 right now with a 2 groove barrel. Plenty of Springfield 1903 A3's out there with 2 groove barrels also.

 

[FWoo45]

Why would you have a price cap when barrel shopping?

 

[Kadams1563]

I'm going to hazard a guess that it's because the OP doesn't have unlimited money

Here’s your sign…. Lol

 

[FWoo45]

I'm going to hazard a guess that it's because the OP doesn't have unlimited money

Neither do I, I just have priorities. Seriously though WOA is phenomenal for the $. Pretty sure they make barrels for Wilson.

 

[Constructor]

Crazy. Makes me wonder what the lower limit is for grooves...

Have you ever read the bore area specs for the cartridges? If you do and then calculate the bore area in barrels being produced you will find most do not meet the spec. Highly unlikely any 6 groove barrels meet the spec.

 

[Naaman]

Have you ever read the bore area specs for the cartridges? If you do and then calculate the bore area in barrels being produced you will find most do not meet the spec. Highly unlikely any 6 groove barrels meet the spec.

Always more to learn.

 

[Dildobaggins]

Its not, OP said “cap is probably around $350” in the first post, which means he may (and should) spend a little bit more for the right barrel (the heart of the system):

Otherwise its time to go be poor somewhere else.

You're the exact reason people post one question and never post again. You sound so stupid, it's incredible. He should spend a little more for the right barrel? What are you even talking about? A criterion, RA, or WOA would fit the bill. All under $350. Oh he's got a budget, he must be poor. Guy probably doesn't live in his mother's basement and has bills to pay. I know that's hard to imagine for you.

 

[Jsp556]

.66 moa average across 5 groups. Shot the first group then adjusted down and left .5moa to keep a good aiming point. No cool down between groups. Groups don’t shift when the barrel warms. Granted, this a 5r and spr profile, but every barrel I’ve bought from ARP shoots comparably.

 

[Merle]

I've been eyeing one of these for a while; Douglas blank, chambered by Compass Lake Engineering, and in-stock.

Stainless Steel Barrel - Oregon Rifleworks

Oregon Rifleworks brand barrels are made from Douglas barrel blanks and chambered by Compass Lake Engineering. .223 Wylde chambering will also accommodate 5.56x45mm, but offers better accuracy than a standard 5.56 chamber 1/7 Twist Rate Button Rifled 416R Stainless Steel Bead Blasted Finish...

oregonrifleworks.com

 

[nn8734]

You're the exact reason people post one question and never post again. You sound so stupid, it's incredible. He should spend a little more for the right barrel? What are you even talking about? A criterion, RA, or WOA would fit the bill. All under $350. Oh he's got a budget, he must be poor. Guy probably doesn't live in his mother's basement and has bills to pay. I know that's hard to imagine for you.

LOL...pull that dildo out of your ass, baggins. You’re way too easily triggered.

 

[hlee]

@TonyTheTiger said that Rosco Mft. makes a better barrel than they have any reason to make, given the low cost. I don’t know, but he shoots way more than I do. I’ve got one coming to me, based on his rec.

 

[Dildobaggins]

LOL...pull that dildo out of your ass, baggins. You’re way too easily triggered.

You must be @Huskydriver boyfriend. Not triggered at all. Guy comes to ask a question, and people have to be douchebags about it.

 

[Huskydriver]

You must be @Huskydriver boyfriend. Not triggered at all. Guy comes to ask a question, and people have to be douchebags about it.

Not appreciated lol

 

[nn8734]

You must be @Huskydriver boyfriend. Not triggered at all. Guy comes to ask a question, and people have to be douchebags about it.

You’re definitely triggered and adding in a little projection for good measure.

Take a few deep breaths and try to relax. Don’t get so bent out of shape over nothing.

 

[Dildobaggins]

You’re definitely triggered and adding in a little projection for good measure.

Take a few deep breaths and try to relax. Don’t get so bent out of shape over nothing.

Adding projection because you made gay references to start this whole thing off, yet I'm projecting? That's an interesting way of saying you're stupid. I'm completely calm. Has your mother called you and husky up from the basement for lunch yet? What are you guys having?

 

[Huskydriver]

Adding projection because you made gay references to start this whole thing off, yet I'm projecting? That's an interesting way of saying you're stupid. I'm completely calm. Has your mother called you and husky up from the basement for lunch yet? What are you guys having?

 

[Dildobaggins]

View attachment 7903617

Idk why I dragged you into this. I'm sorry.

 

[nn8734]

Adding projection because you made gay references to start this whole thing off, yet I'm projecting? That's an interesting way of saying you're stupid. I'm completely calm. Has your mother called you and husky up from the basement for lunch yet? What are you guys having?

Again, calm down and go outside for some fresh air.