Barrel choices for AR

[Demos]

Hi Guys,
I've been working an AR build for a while now, and since I have a bit of money I'm finally ready to buy the barrel, but need some opinions. I'm looking to make a fairly light carbine (not drilling holes in lowers and buying carbon fiber light, but I'm keeping weight in mind).

So far I have:
Rainier lower and upper
Geissele trigger
MBUS sights (probably going to add an Aimpoint of some kind)
MOE Fixed Carbine Stock (keeping NJ happy)


For the Barrel I'm looking at
Lothar Walther 16" Very Very Light contour
Black Hole Weaponry 16" Slim Barrel
Or Maybe White Oak Armory 16" SDM Barrel

Any experience/ opinions on which one would finish off my AR the best?

Thanks,
Demos

 

[LeonCarr]

All of the parts mentioned are high quality components and any of them would serve you well.

Also keep in mind when voting that your current governor who is running for President could make all of that gun control foolishness go away but won't.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[W.E.G.]

I have experience with White Oak.

Everything that comes out of White Oak is first-rate.

 

[Tirod]

What is the purpose of the rifle? What ranges to shoot for, and what kind of target will it be?

Guns are built to a purpose, in the military the phrase Mission Drives Equipment means you fit the weapons needed. That's what they use the 18" precision rifles in the field and the MK18 10.5" SBR for ship boarding exercises.

It's not about what you already have, which is nice, but what you intend to shoot and how far away it is. Considering the barrel is the heart of the system, and it influences everything else because of that choice, it needs to be pinned down definitively.

Range and target determine what cartridge, what barrel length, which sets what gas length. That determines which specific handguard or free float, and what optic will go on the upper. It even slants the choices of what magazine to use - slower longer range shooters go for 20 round mags, higher capacity tactical/competition shooters up to a 60 rounder.

Range and target = cartridge and barrel length.

 

[d2wing]

I think any of those would be fine. A 16 inch barrel is not optimal for long range precision anyhow. But you should be able to group well at close range. As Tirod says you can't have it all, you have to set your priorities. Nothing wrong about light weight for defense at moderate ranges.

 

[Demos]

Tirod,
It will primarily be 200 yards and under defensive rifle, and I would like to take some carbine courses with it. I have a heavy barrel 20" AR with a scope for further.

Thanks,
Demos

 

[Itzdapig]

All 3 of mine are ARPerformance barrels and they all are tack drivers, check them out as well.

 

[henschman]

I really like Faxon Firearms' gunner profile barrels for an extremely lightweight choice. That's what I just bought for my latest 16" AR build, which is for a very similar role to what you are wanting.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have a couple White Oak Armament barrels, 223 Remington and 204 Ruger, and they are first rate.

I also have a couple Black Hole Weaponry barrels, 300 BLK and 22x6.8, and have not shot them enough to make a definitive judgement on them but they shoot well so far.

Both companies have been good to work with but expect to wait for the barrel.

 

[dcloco]

Check your pm........

 

[bikemutt]

Wilson Combat, very accurate, reasonably priced.

 

[greyling22]

An aimpoint has a 2moa dot. I have yet to see any AR barrel that cost more than 100 bucks not shoot 2MOA or better with halfway decent ammo. All those barrels will outshoot an aimpoint. Take your pick.

 

[NWcityguy2]

It is a pretty big mismatch to pair an expensive barrel with good accuracy potential and a red dot or MBUS. Basically all of them will do just as well because the accuracy will always be limited by your optic.

This barrel will last longer, be just as accurate, weigh less and cost less than anything you are currently looking at. http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-...l-profile-chrome-lined-mp-premium-barrel.html

The same goes for this barrel except the weight aspect, but it will also use the more common .750 gas block. http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/gm-m8-16-mid-length-gas-system-5-56-nato/

Just be warned though, the lighter the barrel the quicker it will heat up. This doesn't always matter accuracy wise, because lots of fast shooting involves large targets inside 100 yards, but they will get very hot in the hand. That is why many people, including myself, are becoming fans of medium profile barrels.

 

[goon]

How fast it gets uncomfortable also has to do with the handguard you use. A LW barrel isn't bad for a couple pretty fast magazines if you have handguards with heat shields. But I've found that a LW barrel with a plain aluminum or alloy rail or forend can get a little toasty pretty quick. Just something to keep in mind before you spend $$$.

 

[d2wing]

Any options on FN barrels? I am looking at replacing the one I have on a carbine.

 

[mokin]

All seem to be good choices as are the rest of the suggestions. Another thing to keep in mind is that if you go with a mid length gas system, you'll get a little extra room on the handguard.

 

[SlimeDog]

An aimpoint has a 2moa dot. I have yet to see any AR barrel that cost more than 100 bucks not shoot 2MOA or better with halfway decent ammo. All those barrels will outshoot an aimpoint. Take your pick.

I have to respectfully disagree with this. Just because the dot covers a 2MOA diameter circle on target doesn't mean that you can't produce a group less than 2MOA. For example, if your target is a black ring slightly larger than the 2MOA dot - by putting the dot in the center of the ring with the same amount of "white" all the way around it works just like an apeture sight on a match rifle. Bulleye shooters, who often use 4MOA dots regularly shoot MOA groups (in the 10 ring, no less).

 

[Onmilo]

Any options on FN barrels? I am looking at replacing the one I have on a carbine.

I recently built an 18" 1/7" 5.56 chambe barrelled upper using an FN barrel.
I was completely surprised by the overall excellent quality of the barrel and the accuracy of the finished product is pleasing for a chrome lined bore.
I have been shooting a LOT of Wolf and Silver Bear steel case ammo I had hoarded up through the gun just to see what might happen.
So far I haven't stuck a case in the chamber but I did have to go to a standard carbine buffer to get the stuff to extract reliably from the chamber and cycle the bolt group back far enough to pick up and chamber the next round.
Really weak this Russian stuff is.
My go to Black Hills and Mil 5.56 62 & 77 grain ammo is sniper accurate out of this barrel.
I would recommend checking the FN barrels out.
I think you will like if you are not looking for a Match grade barrel which is kind of silly on a 16" barrelled rifle anyway.

 

[Pikums]

Wilson Combat, very accurate, reasonably priced.

I use Wilson and like it.

 

[henschman]

Any options on FN barrels? I am looking at replacing the one I have on a carbine.

I have had a couple and they are great barrels. The materials, testing, and quality are top notch, they deliver great reliability, and provide very good accuracy too.

 

[d2wing]

Thanks onmilo and henchmen. Since I also wanted to change to a flat top upper I ordered a PSA upper that has an FN barrel.

 

[henschman]

Good deal -- I don't think you'll be disappointed. Enjoy the new upper.

 

[strambo]

The lightest 16" barrel on the market I'm aware of is the Faxon pencil at 19oz, it weighs less than the BCM ELW fluted. Some users have reported 1 MOA accuracy. I have one, but haven't assembled the upper yet. It looks great and was very reasonably priced. Since it is melonite instead of chrome lined it should be more accurate than a chrome lined barrel all else being equal. I'd be happy with 1.5-2 MOA with match ammo for a non-precision specific AR.

 

[Jackal]

Take a look at Faxon and VooDoo barrels.