Anderson's barrels. Anyone tried them? Also considering Wilson Arms. Bench AR Build.

[777funk]

http://www.andersonrifles.com/product-category/barrels/

These barrels. Are any of them worth trying?


I'd like to build a heavy barrel bench only rifle that will reliably shoot Hornady 55gr FMJBT or SP with H335 max charge into 1/2" at 100 yards.

If one of these would do it, I'd be happy. If I need to double that price and buy a Wilson Arms (JSE Surplus), that'd be ok.

I'm also looking into barrels double the price of the Wilson (Krieger) as well as the in between (White Oak Armament).

If I can spend around $100-$160 on a barrel from Anderson and reach my 1/2MOA goal, I'd be thrilled.

I tried their cheapest 16" with a muzzle device and carbine handguard (not floated) and it will shoot about 1.5MOA with the handload mentioned. Not bad for the price and a non target tuned gun. It's very reliable.

But the next one will be for bench shooting. Looking for barrel advice.

 

[M1key]

I'll bet this one will shoot, but no guarantees.

http://www.andersonrifles.com/product/16-223-wylde-stainless-heavy-barrel-with-spiral-flutes/

Good luck

M

 

[yugorpk]

I have a 7 1/2" Anderson Barrel in 300 BLK on one of my SBR's. Shoots as good as anything I own

 

[bullzeye8]

I would think if you want half moa that $100-160 barrel will not work. For half moa you need a really good barrel and think something like the white oak armament is where you need to be looking. You will also want a higher quality bolt too for the best accuracy.

 

[777funk]

I've heard stories of cheaper barrels doing 1/2MOA (Savage Factory barrels are one example and I figure there are AR barrels out there somewhere). But I wonder how much of this is uniform vs got lucky...

Bullzeye8, you mention the bolt. I notice that Shilen includes a bolt on their Brownells match barrel but Krieger recommends using any mil spec bolt. I trust they know what they're doing but it's interesting that they trust 'mil spec'. Perhaps mil-spec is more consistent than we'd expect. I did measure a few bolts with a callipers and all measured the same thickness front to back of lugs but of course that only gets me to 0.001".

 

[DRYHUMOR]

I have a DPMS bull barreled upper on a Rock River lower. 1:8 twist, shoots well.

http://www.dpmsinc.com/DPMS-16-223-Rem-Stainless-Barrel-Stripped_p_2616.html

Also have a WOA 18 inch 1:7 SPR profile on another that shoots well.

http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17567&cat=312&page=3

 

[KansasPaul]

1/2 MOA is unrealistic on a semi-auto platform. Heck 1 MOA is likely unrealistic on a semi-auto platform. If you want to get the tightest possible groups you would need to free-float the barrel. Barrel length doesn't account for a huge difference. If I was attempting to shoot sub-MOA from an AR platform I would be going the Noveske, White Oak route in something stainless (chrome lined barrels do not shoot as accurately as a non-plated barrel).

I reload for a "frankengun" that I built a couple of years ago using consistent tolerances on all my ammo. It will shoot sub-moa but it took an awful lot of work to get it there.

Paul

 

[DRYHUMOR]

Good accuracy in a semi is do able.....

Not the best group; either me or the load had a bit too much vertical.

 

[Blade First]

"1/2 MOA is unrealistic on a semi-auto platform. Heck 1 MOA is likely unrealistic on a semi-auto platform."

Why? Be specific, please.

Your advice sounds like a mishmash of 'net "facts" and high-dollar envy.

How 'bout you give these folks a query and see what their guarantee is for their newest line of pencil barrels? Not bull barrels but pencil barrels.

www.ballisticadvantage.com

Clint Hanson would be most interested in your experience and BA is certainly capable of helping you with your next build. You do build rifles, don't you?

 

[777funk]

Dryhumour, great shooting.

Your stock pictured reminded me of something. I've always wondered this since watching AR's with m4 stocks shot at benches... the stock is not meant to sit on a bench bag. When shot, the recoil moves the stock and thus the gun. This is going to cause more erratic movement than a smooth tapered stock. Yours is basically shaped like a triangle. That's not quite as bad as some, but not as optimal as a regular rifle stock. Even worse is the standard m4 push button adjust type where the push button lever rests on the bag.

I wonder how much this contributes to irregular groups. Your picture brought this back to mind. Your groups look pretty good! I've seen high end bolt guns that didn't group that well.

 

[JWH321]

Just some additional info. I have a Faxon 1-8 twist 16 inch barrel. It cost me around $170. I shoot Hornady 55 grain FMJBT loaded over a slightly over mid range charge of H335. The gun is an Anderson upper/lower with a polished Anderson trigger and a Cryptic Coatings bcg. It uses a carbine length gas system. It has a mid range FF handguard and a 3-7X32 Vortex scope. In the right hands, it will shoot 1 to 1.5 groups all day (in my hands, it sometimes hits the target). I have been VERY pleased with the accuracy and reliability of this little gun. I had many many people tell me that an AR-15 was not an accurate platform. I have found those people to be wrong.