Looking for a Barrel for my 6.8 RRA

[amprecon]

I have a Rock River Arms LAR-6 A4 Mid-Length rifle, I love this rifle and it shoots great, but I have only one complaint....it's nose heavy. It came with a heavy contour 16" Chrome Moly 6-groove, 1:10 SPCII barrel on it.
I've been wanting to change the barrel out for some time now and have finally gotten around to pulling the trigger on it, but I have a few questions first.

As far as which barrel to buy, I like the ARP 16" CMV Scout which has the 5r groove 11.25 twist melonite treated barrel. I also like the Bison Armory 16" Recon barrel, but it is a 4-groove 11 twist barrel.

I'm leaning more towards the ARP barrel because of the barrel specs over the Bison barrel, but both will be lighter weight barrels than the heavy contour barrel that is on my RRA now.

As far as switching the barrels out, could I still use all the RRA components from the old barrel and put on the new barrel? And what tools or parts kits would I need to do this swap-out?

I know I'll need a barrel nut wrench, would I also need a receiver clamp for a vise or could I just do it on my tool box top?
I'm pretty good with mechanics & tools and have done some gun-smith work on my own firearms as far as changing out rifle and pistol components.

Thanks for any help.

 

[68wj]

For the 2 barrels you listed, I wouldn't get hung up on the twist/rifling. Both have solid reputations and are great products. Just decide whether you want stainless steel (Bison) or melonited (ARP).

No problem using the existing RRA parts. Whichever barrel maker you go with should allow you to send your bolt to them for a headspace check. Depending on which forearm setup you go with, you may have trouble with your gas block if you want to reuse the existing FSB due to the taper pins. Check with the barrel maker to see if installation is available, or consider installing a low-profile gas block on one of the clamp-on FSB's.

Tools: Yes you will need a receiver block and vice. Depending on which forearm you may also need some sort of spanner wrench. If you are also using a muzzle device with crush washer that needs indexed, add a barrel vice too to do it right.

 

[amprecon]

Thanks for the info. I went with the ARP CMV 16" Scout profile barrel. ARP said the bolt I have should fit fine. I have RRA's folding front sight block which is a clamp on, hopefully this won't be an issue. I also have a barrel nut wrench inbound, it will be interesting to feel the weight difference and also how much of a difference in accuracy I might gain....or lose.