Please recommend a barrel for an AR build

[awgrizzly]

Here's what I'm looking for. Fluted 20" polished stainless 1:7 match grade .223 Wylde chamber and head space matched bolt. I'm flexible.

I've been studying Noveske, White Oak, Lilja, Krieger, Lothar-Walther, McGowen, Shilen, Hart, Compass Lake, WOA, Wilson Combat, and others. Most do not have quite what I want in premade drop in barrels (which would be best for me), so I need to make some calls.

What I'm asking is for recommendations to trim down the list a bit before I start calling. Actually, my main problem is that there are so many real nice options out there. I want it accurate, best bang for my buck, and purdy.

 

[tarosean]

I want it accurate, best bang for my buck, and purdy

Pick only two. lol

I ran across Black Hole Weaponry the other day... I have no idea who does their blanks, etc. nor anything else about them.

http://www.blackholeweaponry.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21

 

[68wj]

That list is comprised of some outstanding products. What "want" is it that they don't meet?

 

[gotigers]

I wouldn't worry about fluting. All of the listed barrel makers are GTG. I would go with WOA because of price and reputation.

Another is Fulton Armory. They use Criterion blanks. Criterion is owned by Kreieger. I have one FA (Criterion) on my 20". I am very happy with it. I would have went with WOA, but i got this one on sale.

 

[taliv]

anybody who services the NRA High Power crowd is used to building 20" AR NM profile barrels with wylde chambers. I'd be surprised if they don't have some in stock.

 

[MtnCreek]

I finished up a project a few weeks ago and it looks very promising so far. WOA 18”, rifle gassed, 1:7, SS. My first experience with WOA, but I’ll probably purchase more of their products in the future. The other two from your list that I’ve dealt with are Lilja and Shillen. These were for bolt guns, but I’d assume their AR barrels are of the same quality; highly recommended IMHO.

Good Luck!

 

[tundraotto]

WOA

 

[awgrizzly]

Thanks, this helps. And thanks for mentioning Fulton. I had forgotten about them.

I'm sure they all can provide me with all I want, but the in stock barrels they list on their web sites don't include all the features I listed, thus I would need to contact them. The problem is that the list is long and I wanted your input to trim it down. It's a great problem having so many choices. The suggestions on WOA is an example is valuable info. You guys are a huge asset, thank you so much. Keep it coming

Another one that I failed to mention is JP Enterprises. They have a barrel with a streamlined contoured compensator that's a beaut. But the guys at the range would hate me. It's 50% show you know. For example, I want a polished stainless barrel with flutes because I have a silver Nitrex scope that I want to mount on it. Now how else can I put a silver scope on a black gun. Hey, I know I'm shallow, but at least I'm honest about it.

 

[brian923]

I can shoot 1/4" 5 shot groups with my WOA barrel, id use him again on my next build. He also has emaculate customer service as well. He'll pick up the phone and answer any question you got

 

[tundraotto]

I can shoot 1/4" 5 shot groups with my WOA barrel, id use him again on my next build. He also has emaculate customer service as well. He'll pick up the phone and answer any question you got

+1000 this - the best I have done is .4" for 5 - but thats me not the upper....and he is a super knowledgeable guy to talk to and nice to deal with - you will have to wait a while....but I bet Carl Bernowski <sic> doesnt lol when he gets another one from WOA for the 10th straight National Championship at Camp Perry this year! lol....and his prices are ridiculous for the accuracy you can achieve....I dont even need to pay extra for a Krieger or Pacnor from him as his finished Wilson shoots better than I do. WOA is the bomb - no schit.

 

[greyling22]

I was looking for the same barrel, and at the end of the day I decided white oak was just a little too spendy for me, so I just bought a rra predator pursuit complete upper. It was actually cheaper to do that than to build one using decent parts, and from all accounts it will shoot the lights out. I haven't put good ammo through it yet.

You're looking at some nice stuff. I'll throw out a low end option for you just to make life a little more confusing. Midway has a 20" fluted stainless barrel "ar stoner" house brand barrel that is way cheaper than WOA, but probably not as accurate. where it fits on the "bang for the buck" scale I do not know. Rainier arms has a DM barrel too. http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2911

 

[Zerodefect]

Lose the flutes. If you're worried about weight stick to meduim contours, not heavy.

WOA, BCM, Larue, Noveske are ome of the barrels I've seen run really well. I'm sure there are more.

 

[damphir]

I would second not worrying about fluting, and would give a big recommendation to Krieger, although wait time is 20-22 weeks right now.

I am having a Rem 700 built around their barrel based upon a recommendation from a 3 time national benchrest champion, as well as a mechanical engineer.

 

[chrome_austex]

I had a solid Fulton Armory barrel.

Currently running an 18" from Rainier Arms (Shilen blank, ratchet rifling, Wylde chamber, intermediate gas, stainless steel, 1/8 twist). Their 20" is fluted and would suit your desires.