Looking for a very accurate 1/7 twist AR15 barrel

[DMK]

I'm looking for very accurate 20" 1/7 twist HBAR barrel to build a DMR/SAM-R clone around.

I considered a Bushy, but apparently an 1/7 twist HBAR is out of the question from them, they only do the 1/7 twist in Govt. profle barrels. Besides, they are chrome lined and I think I'd rather have just the chamber chromed in this case.

I'm considering a Colt Match Target HBAR with a 1/7 twist. That has the chrome chamber and I like durability of the 4150 chrome moly steel. However, I believe it's 5.56 chamber, and I'll need to send it off to be threaded for the flash suppressor. Will this barrel be accurate?

The other barrel I'm considering is a White Oak stainless 1/7 Service rifle barrel as ADCO sells. This has a tighter Wylde chamber I believe, has the threaded muzzle and is accurate enough from everything I've heard. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the durability of stainless steel though. I'll also need to have Steve add a front sight block and Gunkote it black or something.

Are there any compelling reasons to choose the WOA over the Colt or vice versa? Are there any other good barrels I should be considering. The barrel is the heart of this type of rifle, so I don't want to skimp here.

 

[jem375]

go to ar15.com and look under industry, click on the manufacturer you want....... very knowledgeable people there...

 

[nickthecanuck]

I've had excellent results with my CMMG barrel. I've also heard good things about their accuracy on arf.com.

I'm not good enough yet to wring out all the accuracy the barrel is capable of yet but we kept almost all shots on a paper plate at 200 yards using an aimpoint. Not DMR accuracy I know but that's pretty good for me.

 

[NMshooter]

Don't they use Douglass, Shilen, or Hart barrels? Something like that.

1/8 might be a better choice, depending on your preferred load.

If you want a working rifle you want a 5.56mm chamber.

Any of the custom barrel manufacturers should be willing to make you a barrel to your specs.

You will have to search for it, but there is a large thread on this subject on ar15.com.

Good luck!

 

[cgv69]

DMK,

You've already summed it up pretty well. There are very few choices for 20" HBAR barrels in 1/7 twist rate. As you have already surmised, the WOA will have the advantage over the Colt because of it's chamber (WOA - Wylde, Colt = 5.56 NATO). The Colt barrel's chrome chamber is a benefit reliability wise but it's a negative accuracy wise (in theory anyway). The WOA also has another advantage, the ability to be ordered with a fitted bolt.

If you want to build a SAM-R clone (so do I, badly!) then if you have the cash, get what the real SAM-R's uses, a Kreiger NM barrel which is reported to be even better than the other two barrels mentioned but it's price reflects it. I believe ADCO had some of them in stock at one point(?) but not on their web site. They are not easy to find.

It should be mentioned that any one of these barrels are probably more accurate then 98% of the people shooting them but that said, I would (will?) probably get either the WOA or Krieger.

I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the durability of stainless steel though.

Why not? that's what the real SAM-R's use and they seem to be holding up just fine in the sand box being used a lot harder than you are likely to use yours. The real SAM-R's are also coated black (not sure exactly which product is used) but the finish they use does not seem to be holding up well. Pictures from the sand box show a lot of these have most of their finish worn off. (I would still have mine finished as I think it looks 100% better and wouldn't be using mine that hard)

I'll also need to have Steve add a front sight block

It gets kind of funny here depending on your needs, wants and budget? If I was building one I would want it to be a pretty close clone. The means the flip up sight\gas block needs to have a bayo lug. The real ones use a unit made by KAC but they won't sell them to the civilian market for some reason?

The problem with most low profile gas blocks or gas block\flip up sight combos is they use set screws instead of straight\taper pins to hold them on. Well I don't trust set screws for that purpose. GG&G makes what I think is perfect for this projects as it uses taper pins and has a bayo lug and looks very good too but it is expensive (~$180 + install) and are hard to find.

Anyway. I hope something in my rambling helped. I am jealous as I wish I was able to afford starting mine SAM-R clone. Good luck