hi -- AR Build

jim243 · Mar 9, 2012

And since it's a given that lined barrels aren't as accurate as unlined, I'll stick with the "inferior" unlined barrels.

The fact of the matter is that the rifling in unlined barrels is sharper and produces a more accurate twist and bullet flight, national match barrels are always unlined for greater accuracy. They do live a shorter life however.

Two different types of barrels for two different purposes.
Jim

Ranger30-06 · Mar 9, 2012

helotaxi said:
They may have upper their quality control, but they still do not spec HPT barrels and HPT/MPI bolts like PSA does. And the barrels are NOT the same materials and are NOT manufactured the same way. The basic Del-ton kits use a 4140 chromoly steel barrel that is button rifled and is unlined. The similarly priced PSA kit uses a 4150 chromoly steel barrel that is hammer forged and chrome lined. I'm not one that insists on mil-spec for barrels because most people don't need nor will even see the difference between 4140 and 4150 steel and chrome lined vs. non-lined, but if I can get the better one for right at the same money...that's kind of a no brainer.

My upper (post ban 20" A2) is chrome lined. Honestly dude, the only problems that ever surfaced were the incorrectly staked gas keys (they do now) and the chrome lined barrels were an option, which I opted for. You really don't hear stories about barrels getting bent or blown apart because of a slight difference in material. It's not like it's a significantly quality cut method of manufacturing, just a slightly different version of the same thing.

I will concede that PSA barrels are better, but I haven't had a darn problem with my Del-Ton upper, and it is very accurate.

Cesiumsponge · Mar 9, 2012

Chome lined simply equates to less maintenance and a small tradeoff in accuracy. It doesn't necessarily mean folks that pick this are lazy nor are the barrels inaccurate. Noveske's chromed barrels still shoot 1 MOA. That is more than satisfactory for a gas-operated carbine. Using the same frame of mind, one can claim unlined barrels are for weekend range rats who have nothing better to do than scrub their barrels every 20 rounds, all day.

Besides, you're no more obligated to clean an unlined or stainless barrel either. Many Accuracy International or Sako owners send hundreds of rounds downrange without cleaning and hold .5 MOA with boring regularity. They won't clean until groups start to open up.

Tex4426 · Mar 9, 2012

del-ton is a pretty good place...i have not personally delt with them but know a few ppl who have and dont have a bad thing to say...u can usually buy one for under 600 at a gun show

Tex4426 · Mar 9, 2012

if u want maximum accuracy free floated stainless...if u want a gun that is still pretty accurate but last twice as long then you want chrom lined...

from all the articles ive read you get about 20,000-25000 rounds out of a unlined barrel...accuracy will start to suffer a little at around 5,000 but not much

you get about 30-40000 rounds in an chrome lined barrel...but its not as accurate(very small difference in a good chrome lined barrel)

stainless gives you great accuracy for the longest period of time usually 7-9000 rounds but will drop off in accuracy faster than a non lined/lined barrel usually 12-18000 rounds

all numbers differ from brand to brand and also depends on how well you take care of the barrel

FlyinBryan · Mar 10, 2012

Well, in that case, I'm glad I bought a Del-Ton. IMHO chrome lined barrels are for people who are too lazy to maintain their firearms (i.e.-clean their barrels). And since it's a given that lined barrels aren't as accurate as unlined, I'll stick with the "inferior" unlined barrels.

some chrome lined barrels are quite accurate. i have 2 chrome lined bushmasters that are actually a little more accurate than a pre ban non chrome lined colt model 6700c match target rifle that i bought in the early 90's.

i didnt buy them to be more accurate, but because i just wanted something a little lighter, and was pleasantly surprised by how well they shoot.

maybe i just got lucky, i dont know... are sub m.o.a. chrome lined barrels not the norm?

helotaxi · Mar 10, 2012

My PSA shoots at least that well. I can't really speak for my CL DD barrel since I've never decided to shoot it for groups. The only reason that a CL barrel might give up a little to an unlined barrel is that it is essentially impossible to guarantee a perfectly uniform thickness in the CL. As a result the diameter of the bore might vary ever so slightly over the length of the barrel. This isn't going to create a difference that 99% of the shooters out there are going to be able to appreciate. The CHF process creates a very consistent bore to begin with as well as a very strong and stable barrel. They are better barrels than the standard run-of-the-mill unlined 4140 barrels and the slight variations in the bore (in the 0.000X" range) introduced by the CL process isn't enough to make them shoot worse than the cheap barrels. The CHF barrel is much more consistent barrel to barrel as well.

The LIMFAC most of the time with AR accuracy is the ammo. Use FMJ ammo and any subtle difference between a mil-spec barrel and a stainless match barrel is essentially erased.

35 Whelen · Mar 10, 2012

helotaxi said:
They may have upper their quality control, but they still do not spec HPT barrels and HPT/MPI bolts like PSA does.

My PSA shoots at least that well. I can't really speak for my CL DD barrel since I've never decided to shoot it for groups. The only reason that a CL barrel might give up a little to an unlined barrel is that it is essentially impossible to guarantee a perfectly uniform thickness in the CL. As a result the diameter of the bore might vary ever so slightly over the length of the barrel. This isn't going to create a difference that 99% of the shooters out there are going to be able to appreciate. The CHF process creates a very consistent bore to begin with as well as a very strong and stable barrel. They are better barrels than the standard run-of-the-mill unlined 4140 barrels and the slight variations in the bore (in the 0.000X" range) introduced by the CL process isn't enough to make them shoot worse than the cheap barrels. The CHF barrel is much more consistent barrel to barrel as well.

The LIMFAC most of the time with AR accuracy is the ammo. Use FMJ ammo and any subtle difference between a mil-spec barrel and a stainless match barrel is essentially erased.

Hey Mod's...CWGASTWHPLMDTASA?

That ^^ is my acronym asking: Can we get a Sticky that would help people like me decipher the AR shooters acronyms?

35W

helotaxi · Mar 10, 2012

LIMFAC is a military, non-gun related, acronym that is short for "limiting factor".

CL- Chrome Lined
HPT-High Pressure Tested
MPI- Magnetic Particle Inspected
CHF- Cold Hammer Forged
DD- Daniel Defense
PSA- Palmetto State Armory

35 Whelen · Mar 10, 2012

Acronym's are fine, but really it helps everyone if they're used something like this, especially in long posts:

"I really enjoy competing in High Power (HP) competition. I have been shooting HP for about one year now. Lately I've been using Sierra Match King (MK) bullets for Across the Course (XC) matches. These bullets coupled with my newly acquired knowledge of natural point of aim (NPA) have helped my scores immensely.
So if you ever decide to try HP, you might want to look at MK bullets for XC competition but be sure you understand NPA before you begin. See how that helps?

AR15 acronyms should be limited to AR forums. This is a general rifle forum.

35W

helotaxi · Mar 10, 2012

I understand the concept, however, most if not all of the acronyms in my posts were defined when first used in this thread so me rehashing them again would be redundant. LIMFAC is fairly common use.

hi -- AR Build

jim243

Member

Ranger30-06

Member

Cesiumsponge

Member

Tex4426

Member

Tex4426

Member

FlyinBryan

Member

helotaxi

Member

35 Whelen

Member

helotaxi

Member

35 Whelen

Member

helotaxi

Member

Similar threads