Barrel for AR build

[Demos]

Hi Guys,
I'm finally biting the bullet and building an AR since I'm about to get a great deal on a Spikes lower from a friend. The rifle will only ever be used at a range, unless I ever get a chance to go woodchuck hunting, which I doubt. I'm planning on putting a quad-rail on the front so I can swap out a sling and bi-pod for shooting from the prone position with a 4.5-14x40 scope and A2 stock, but I would like to keep it light enough (I'm used to a 8.75lb Garand) to practice shooting offhand standing. But I'm not sure what to do about the barrel.
Does anyone have some recommendations for a non-threaded 20 inch barrel in .223 Wylde, bearing in mind that this will be my first centerfire rifle that I'm looking to be accurate (the rest I have are milsurps)?

Thanks,
Demos

 

[the count]

Krieger barrels are known for their accuracy.

 

[creeper1956]

RRA does a un-threaded 20' target barrel with a Wylde chamber, as does Kreiger, Wilson Arms, Les Baer, Hart, McGowen, White Oak, Shilen and Wilson Combat... there are others, like Criterion, but I'm not sure about the un-threaded part.

The Kreiger, Hart and Shilen brands are probably the priciest as they are actual benchrest quality (read: single point, cut rifled) barrel makers... near $500 ready to go. Everyone else is in the $260 to $320 range... and a few actually use Kreiger, Hart and Shilen blanks, but may end up being a bit cheaper.

Shop around to get what you want... I'd not be hesitant to run any of the above barrels in a match/target AR.

C

 

[Reloadron]

Your call and as to a basic barrel there are flavors like this in the chambering you want. You don't mention a twist rate and I know you mention 20" and I linked to 18" flavors. If you plan on heavy bullets and distance then look for the faster twist like 1:7.

There are also Kreiger Barrels as was mentioned and look to other Kreiger barrels beyond the link. Sinclair can fix you up with barrels like these from Kreiger.

You can drop $250, you can drop $500 or you can run much higher depending on your budget,

Ron

 

[cfullgraf]

Does anyone have some recommendations for a non-threaded 20 inch barrel in .223 Wylde, bearing in mind that this will be my first centerfire rifle that I'm looking to be accurate (the rest I have are milsurps)?

I would look at National Match barrels. Most of the manufacturers make an unthreaded version. They are a bit heavier than GI profile, and great for a walk around varminter. It should be lighter than a Garand even with the NM barrel.

Also, you want a free float hand guard and a good trigger. The rest is personal preference.

I built one of these a few years ago with a White Oak Armament barrel and it shoots great. The other barrels mentioned are great as well.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Why not buy a complete free floated SS bull barrel upper?

CMMG 22", about $550

Armalite M15(T) 20", $600

http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=U15A4TB&Category=bce7fa68-373e-4afc-b00e-63fe2c75d131

Maybe I'm wrong, but I've yet to see any advantage of the wylde chamber over a properly cut 5.56 chamber.

My next build is very similar to what you're wanting, and those are the two uppers I'm trying to decide between (in my case, the 15(T) versus the CMMG mid-length 18").

Also, you want a free float hand guard and a good trigger

Pay attention here, too. Standard AR triggers are not especially conducive to precision shooting. There are quite a few good triggers out there, though. I'm leaning toward the Armalite NM two-stage for $150.

 

[Demos]

Hmm, it is looking like a complete upper might be a little cheaper or at least easier, and I think the National Match barrel sounds like the perfect fit for what I'm trying to do.
Thanks for all the advice,
Demos

 

[Demos]

So I'm going to be building an upper, and I'm thinking about this White Oak barrel Does anyone have experience with this particular barrel or know why it is a good bit cheaper than most of there other ones?
Thanks,
Demos

 

[hentown]

I highly recommend the RRA Predator Pursuit setup. They use their NM stainless barrel with 1/8 twist and Wylde chamber. Friend of mine has one that shoots cloverleafs with my el-cheapo bulk bullet reloads. My first build utilized an 18" bull varmint RRA barrel. If I'd known about their NM barrel, I'd have used it instead.

 

[BoilerUP]

Another +1 for the Rock River Arms 20" Predator Pursuit upper.

That said, White Oak barrels are very, VERY good. Both they and the RRA Predator Pursuit use Wilson barrels, though I believe WOA chambers in-house (or through a third party) while RRA uses prechambered barrels from Wilson.

 

[cfullgraf]

So I'm going to be building an upper, and I'm thinking about this White Oak barrel Does anyone have experience with this particular barrel or know why it is a good bit cheaper than most of there other ones?
Thanks,
Demos

I have one, although mine has a threaded muzzle. I wanted to try a muzzle brake with it otherwise i would have gotten an unthreaded muzzle.

Shoots great, 3/4" or better groups at 100 yards. I built it into a walk around, flat top, varminter.

If you have not ordered the barrel yet, order a headspaced bolt with it. White Oak will match a bolt and you then know it has a proper fit.

 

[MistWolf]

The Lothar-Walther barrel is a good choice. Mine is quite accurate with the heavier bullets and it came with a matched bolt. Little Crow Gunworks usually has the best prices. Little Crow gave me great customer service as well

Here is a link to their GB ad. This barrel has a threaded muzzle but they also carry non-threaded barrels. Give them a call, they are great folks to deal with
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=313360247

 

[Demos]

So, I have finally narrowed my search down to 2 barrels. The White Oak Service Rifle 20" barrel, and the RRA Barrel that they use in their Predator Pursuit Rifle Both are 20" 223 Wylde, the weights are only .2 lbs different with the White Oak being lighter, and both will take seemingly forever to arrive (about 16 weeks for White Oak, and "indefinite backorder" for RRA), and the prices are close enough that I don't really care. I also haven't heard a bad word about either barrel. Is there a clear winner here, or am I over thinking this and will be happy with either?
Thanks for any last opinions before I bite the bullet and order one.
Demos