224 V barrel choice?

[Lenny62]

Been away from shooting for a long time - Wonder if I could solicit some constructive input -

I'm building an AR in 224 Valkyrie - Looking to reach out to longer ranges past the 100 yard to 600, before building another rifle to head toward 1000....
Budget and current availability give me the choice between -
- Faxon 24" heavy barrel, 1:6.5 with 5R rifling. The gas block journal is .75" and I have an adjustable gas block on hand to fit.
-or-
- Wilson Combat heavy at 22" 1:6.5 with standard rifling. Gas block is .825, so it's a little heavier but 2" shorter. I'd have to score a gas block to suit....

 

[MarshallDodge]

With a good bullet, you can go to 1000 with the 224V. I do it all the time with a 223 using a 77 Matchking out of an 18" barrel.

No personal experience with Wilson but I have seen some that shoot really well. I have an 18" Faxon Gunner 5.56 barrel on my AR and am very happy with it.

 

[gotboostvr]

With a good bullet, you can go to 1000 with the 224V. I do it all the time with a 223 using a 77 Matchking out of an 18" barrel.

No personal experience with Wilson but I have seen some that shoot really well. I have an 18" Faxon Gunner 5.56 barrel on my AR and am very happy with it.

View attachment 959635

I'd be pretty happy with that too!

 

[Lenny62]

I can dig those groups!
What range were these shot at? 100 yards or greater?

 

[horsey300]

I can dig those groups!
What range were these shot at? 100 yards or greater?

Those are 100 yd groups, the measurements of group (inches) followed by moa would suggest 100 ish yds.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Those are 100 yd groups, the measurements of group (inches) followed by moa would suggest 100 ish yds.

You are correct, 100 yard groups.

 

[Lenny62]

Those are 100 yd groups, the measurements of group (inches) followed by moa would suggest 100 ish yds.

Kinda thought so, but had to check..!

 

[Lenny62]

Question is, between the two - ? I'm leaning toward the Wilson as it's a bit heavier toward the business end, and fluted, albeit 2" shorter, (seems that shouldn't be an issue.)

 

[MarshallDodge]

It depends on if you want a heavy rifle. I picked the Faxon Gunner because I carry my rifle around a lot and didn't want a tank. The downside is it heats up fast. The heat doesn't cause a huge POI shift but on a 90 degree day, 10 shots and you can't hold on to the barrel. That is enough for me to pause for a few minutes and let it cool.

Wilson barrels have a good reputation so I would think that it will shoot well.

Have you looked at the 6ARC?

 

[stevebla]

Compass lake worth a look start about $365 I have a 223 Varmint barrel that shoots from them.Get the bolt from them if you buy a barrel.
https://compasslake.com/product-category-hide/barrels/224-valkyrie-barrel/

 

[Lenny62]

I opted for the WC barrel, 22" Heavy. (One concern was my budget.) Barrel length and weight not being a major issue, the plus for me is, the barrel is heavier past the gas block on the Wilson. I will be be using an Ultradyne Apollo X brake on the end.
Compass Lake would be awesome, but outside the $$ for this project.