Need feedback:AR Project

[RevolvingCylinder]

I've decided to scratch my idea to swap the barrel out on my RRA. Instead, I figure I'd be better off and money ahead to go ahead and build another and decide on what to do with the RRA later. This time I want to try the light-weight approach. Keep in mind I'm only experienced with the 20" HBAR in AR15's so bear with me.

What kind of barrel proflie/length/etc will give me the best combination of accuracy, lightweight, and balance(least nose-heaviness)?

Del-Ton seems to have the most affordable package in their "Rifle Kits"(everything but the stripped lower). Is this a reputable company and do are these good products?
What could I expect from the different barrels offered in these packages? They're listed as "DTI" with the different profiles if you click on them and look under "choose your options".

The packages are listed here:
http://www.del-ton.com/AR_15_Rifle_Kits_16_s/57.htm

What I'm asking is what accuracy can I expect from the different profiles and how heavy would they be and would they balance? Are there any other places/prodcuts you'd recommend?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

You'll get equal accuracy from any of the barrel profiles; but the lightweight ones will heat up quicker and then your rounds will start to walk a bit more. Check out the Maryland AR15 site for weights of all the different barrel profiles; but basically you are looking at about 3..2lbs for a 20" HBAR all the way to about 1.9lbs for a 16" lightweight.

Lengthwise, if you want good balance and lightweight, then a 16" barrel is going to be your best bet because a shorter barrel is always going to be lighter and balance better. You'll have more drop and wind drift past 300yds compared to a 20"; but otherwise a 16" is every bit as capable accuracy-wise as a 20".

 

[RCR29]

go to www.ar15.com
Search around in the forums, its amazing how many questions you can answer without even knowing it. The guys over there really know what they are talking about and will be more than willing to help you out with any questions and concerns you may have.

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

Thanks for clearing that up Bart. I hear things about great loss of accuracy from a lighter profile from a somewhat reputable gunsmith in this area nonetheless so I assumed it true(I guess he doesn't do much work on AR's? He was telling me how I'd lose so much accuracy by going with a lighter barrel for my RRA 20" STDA2 and not lose much weight). I kind of figured the lighter ones heated up quicker. What I'm getting is, I should decide on either the M4 or lightweight profile but the M4 isn't going to heat up as quickly. I wonder how big the difference is between the two profiles in heat gain and weight. So far I'm thinking the M4 profile is the way to go. It gives me the best balance between the two. Thanks again Bart.

Does anyone know anything about the quality of the kits and more specifically the barrels?

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

go to www.ar15.com
Search around in the forums, its amazing how many questions you can answer without even knowing it. The guys over there really know what they are talking about and will be more than willing to help you out with any questions and concerns you may have.

I do read that site for info and check it sometimes but I can't get an account there because I have one of those free .com E-mail accounts and I don't have a kind they would accept. Otherwise I would ask there.

 

[wdlsguy]

Del-Ton seems to have the most affordable package in their "Rifle Kits"(everything but the stripped lower). Is this a reputable company and do are these good products?

I have been very happy with my Del-Ton 16" Rifle Kit. I would definitely use them again.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

hear things about great loss of accuracy from a lighter profile from a somewhat reputable gunsmith in this area nonetheless so I assumed it true

I haven't noticed a loss in accuracy from the lightweight profile barrels except for the heat issue. You will see a greater point of impact change from a tight sling on a non-freefloated barrel or resting the barrel on something using a lightweight profile. Maybe he was just simplfying these issues into "less accurate."

What I'm getting is, I should decide on either the M4 or lightweight profile but the M4 isn't going to heat up as quickly. I wonder how big the difference is between the two profiles in heat gain and weight.

A 16" M4 barrel is around 2.2lbs and a 16" lightweight barrel is around 1.9lbs. I don't know that heat is a huge issue in accuracy with an AR. Generally when you are doing the type of shooting that generates a lot of heat (close-in and fast), the tiny shift in accuracy isn't even noticeable. If you are doing the type of shooting where the shift in accuracy would be noticed (match, bench or prone), you are usually not shooting fast enough to heat it up past 300F.

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

Looks like it isn't a big difference either way. I'll go for the M4 profile. This advice has been really helpful and removed some doubts for me about this build. Thanks again everyone.