Del-Ton AR-15 20" Government Profile Rifle Kit

[Archangel14]

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Well, OP wants to shoot over 300 yds so the 1/9 twist is already a poor choice, no reason to be limited to lighter bullets even if the bulk of shooting is with cheaper 55s

Agreed. I'd go with PSA or BCM simply for the 1/7 twist.

The FN CHF chrome lined barrel will provide way more barrel life and is more likely to be chambered properly than the Del-ton.

Totally disagree. How do we determine that the FN barrel will be "chambered properly" over the Del Ton? That has a lot to do with the receiver used. And do we work for Del ton or PSA? Do we inspect the final products? This is speculation, by my account.

PSA may provide an "upgrade" (another vague and useless term, I may properly assume. Not your term; not jabbing at you personally), but not "massively" by any means. Chrome and an highly regarded FN barrel is all it has. Maybe a bit higher quality than the Del Ton offering, but nothing that will matter to guys like me (and maybe you too!).

 

[35 Whelen]

Have any of you guys that are steering him away from a Del-Ton actually USED one?

 

[strambo]

Nope, no reason to. Plenty of better options for not much more coin, not from a snobby brand perspective (PSA is hardly a snob brand!) but a value perspective. Main issue is still the 1/9 twist for the stated purpose. At least get something in 1/8.

Other than price, what is there to recommend this Delton kit for the stated purpose?

 

[35 Whelen]

He's only shooting 55 gr. out to 300 yds. From his original post I think it's pretty safe to say he's not the Mall Ninja type who dreams of fighting his way to and from the grocery store. with his tricked out AR. The guy just wants a 20" rifle to do a little intermediate range shooting.

Remember to answer based on YOUR experience and HIS criteria, rather than change his mind simply because it doesn't fit your mould.

35W

 

[Archangel14]

I think the 1/9 twist is the deal breaker for me. This is something I inquired about on THR not long ago, and after recommendations and research I think 1/7 is the best option. You can get a BCM 20 inch upper with BCG and the CH for about $500. That's a really good deal. Still, I'm sure the Del Ton will serve just fine.

 

[henschman]

The OP stated that he will be shooting cheap steel case ammo out of this rifle.

If I was going to shoot nothing but steel case, chrome or melonite would be mandatory. Steel case has a lot more blow-by and eats the throat out of unlined chrome moly barrels real quick compared to CL barrels. Steel case also causes much more chamber fouling than brass cased ammo. Chrome prolongs the time until the rifle starts experiencing stuck case malfunctions due to an over-fouled chamber, and makes it much easier to clean the chamber when you get around to it.

I don't doubt that some of you have gotten some good accuracy out of your Del-Ton barrels. I have also gotten some similarly good accuracy out of PSA CHF barrels. All of that is besides the point when the guy is going to be running Tula through it. No matter how good the barrel is, 4 MOA is about the best you can expect.

I would advise the OP to pay attention to specs, materials, testing, and brand reputation rather than post-purchase rationalizations.

 

[strambo]

He said 300+ not out to 300. I've got no skin in this, don't own either brand, so I was answering based on what he said he wanted combined with my experience to know a faster twist will be a lot better 300+, chrome will last a lot longer ( I assume stainless match grade barrel is off the table) and better overall quality is never amiss.

Maybe the Delton kit at $400 is just fine for the OP, he did ask for opinions and got some very good other options better suited to shooting 300+ yds with a wider variety of ammo and much longer barrel life for not much more $. If he is really gonna stick with 55gr steel case ammo at 300+ might as well stick with the Del ton but accuracy is going to suck and it will probably get frustrating.