Recoes' wanted for AR15 barrel

Bulletski

Bulletski

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Jul 26, 2020
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Location
South Carolina
Hi all
I'm in the process of building an AR. I've done this before so I'm familiar with the process. Now it's down to what barrel to get. To get to the point, this gun is going to be my "if the SHTF" AR.
It will be a .223 of course.
I only shoot 62gr bullets and don't shoot any further than 200 yrds.
The length - 16" - 18".
Something else I'd like opinions on is the twist rate. One in 7 has been the norm for 16" barrels, but I think a 1 in 8 twist should be tight enough? But would 1-7 be better for 62 grain bullets?

Other considerations are, I suppose, barrel material, although from what I gather, it doesn't seem that one is any better than another.

Are chrome lined barrels something to stay away from as the plating may be uneven.

Another thing that I'd like opinions on is the profile.
I don't like the "pencil" design as it seems to me that the thinner the barrel the more it will be effected by "flex" when the gun is fired and it would effect accuracy.
Also, I see some funky looking designs where the front 30% or so of the end of the barrel is a lot thicker that the main body. What's the story with that?

Finally, price. For this kind of gun I don't want to spend more than $150 - $180.

In the past I've used price as pretty much the criterion and have gone for cheaper barrels.

I can't think of any criterion I've left out, but if so, let me know.

Thanks for replies
 
It depends on actual accuracy needs of course, but if it going bang is the first requirement than most any barrel will do. I am not a barrel snob, have had $55 barrels be flat out amazing, but if you want guaranteed accuracy start looking at the proven names like fn, shilen, etc. I have had good success with ballistic advantage, but not everyone has, faxon has been ok, and cmmg has produced a few good ones for me. I have had great results from PSA uppers, and two bear creek arsenal barrels have been more than I expected, producing MOA or better at 100 yards. For a shtf rifle with not a lot of other criteria, id go for an FN 16" m4 barrel in 1:7 twist, mostly due to availability and affordability.

The barrel profile question is a big back story thing, with lots of reasons, mostly large contract budget drivers. Government profiles have a fatter front half for some reason.
 
The only difference between  most pencil barrels and the standard gov't profile is in front of the gas block the pencil barrel is thinner.

It definitely saves some weight, and being out on the end will change how it handles.

For a semi auto, I don't think it makes much difference between the two practically from an accuracy standpoint.

I really like nitrided stainless barrels for most purposes. 1:7 or 1:8 won't make any difference for 62gr ball ammo. 1:7 is really only needed if you're interested in sending tracers downrange in certain climates. 1:8 will serve you well.

I also prefer mid length gas systems for 16" barrels, or rifle gas on 18-20" barrels, for what it's worth. Seems to shoot a little softer on average.

My "hard use" carbine sports an FN made chrome lined 1:7 16" gov't profile, midlength gas barrel, but it's backup upper is a 16" nitrided SS, 1:8, midlength, pencil barrel. Both are good in my eyes. I haven't noticed any appreciable difference in accuracy, but they both only get fed steel cased, or milsurp tier ammo. So any difference is moot for their use.
 
What are you anticipated engagement distances?

Would this be used within a home setting and/or used in conjunction with vehicle transportation?

Personally, I would be choosing a 14.7” pinned and welded passed 16” with a Surefire SOCOM muzzle device, for that role.

The surefire muzzle device allows for a future suppressor, or if one doesn’t want to go NFA one can buy their Game Warden muzzle device that controls the blast forward away from the shooters ears as a non-NFA route. This would preserve the ability to get into suppressors down the road.

As far as twist, profile, finish and gas length; I would go with 1:8” twist and a medium contour, nitride finish and medium length gas.
 
I will say this, my parts bin AR with a, I think it's a Colt, 1:7 barrel does not like 62g bullets. It will shoot 55, 69, and 77g bullets just fine. But not 62g. It flat out loves the 77SMK... I fully understand that a sample size of one isn't really much of a data point.
 
I assume you meant a 5.56 chambered barrel, not a .223. For SHTF I’d sure want a gun that would shoot both and with a twist rate that would accommodate the widest range of weights.
 
js8588 said:
This with their 13% off code will do what you're looking for and keep you under $150. Don't overthink twist rate. https://www.primaryarms.com/rosco-manufacturing-bloodline-556-barrel-heavy-carbine-16
Click to expand...
I have heard good things about Roscoe barrels.

I run a BCM upper on my defense AR. They aren't cheap, but have acceptable accuracy, and have been very dependable. Their quality control is highly regarded by many in the industry, which is worth more than the extra dollars spent when your life is on the line.
 
MarshallDodge said:
I have heard good things about Roscoe barrels.

I run a BCM upper on my defense AR. They aren't cheap, but have acceptable accuracy, and have been very dependable. Their quality control is highly regarded by many in the industry, which is worth more than the extra dollars spent when your life is on the line.
Click to expand...
I like BCM alot, especially their SS410 barrels.
 
js8588 said:
Right, but OP doesn't want to spend BCM $. If he did, there are lots of excellent and more accurate choices than BCM at a similar price point.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I'm mostly an advocate for less expensive barrels if they still meet your needs, but the SS410 barrels are something I like to splurge on when the budget allows.
 
Maybe consider a TRIARC barrel ?
I would be willing to spend more for a better chance at improved precision. Frankly, a good barrel is a bargain in this day and age.

And given the vast amount of various 62gr ammo, I'd bet you could find one your barrel would like decently.

Molon ( AR Wizard ) had great results with his.
https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/TRIARC-Track-2-0-Accuracy/118-775533/?page=1&anc=bottom#bottom

Coupon "save13" ( 13% ) ends today at Primary Arms.
https://www.primaryarms.com/triarc-systems-556-track-2.0-mid-length-barrel-16in.
 
bfoosh006 said:
Maybe consider a TRIARC barrel ?
I would be willing to spend more for a better chance at improved precision. Frankly, a good barrel is a bargain in this day and age.

And given the vast amount of various 62gr ammo, I'd bet you could find one your barrel would like decently.

Molon ( AR Wizard ) had great results with his.
https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/TRIARC-Track-2-0-Accuracy/118-775533/?page=1&anc=bottom#bottom

Coupon "save13" ( 13% ) ends today at Primary Arms.
https://www.primaryarms.com/triarc-systems-556-track-2.0-mid-length-barrel-16in.
Click to expand...
He plans to shoot "only" 62 grain bullets which I read as "cheap ammo". I have no problem with that philosophy, but Triarc barrels are ported for the good stuff and reliability can be spotty with them unless you're shooting hot ammo. I prefer my guns a little overgassed especially if "shtf" is on the table. You don't know what kind of rounds you'll be able to source in such a theoretical situation.
 
Last edited:
js8588 said:
He plans to shoot "only" 62 grain bullets which I read as "cheap ammo". I have no problem with that philosophy, but Triarc barrels are ported for the good stuff and reliability can be spotty with them unless you're shooting hot ammo. I prefer my guns a little overgassed especially if "shtf" is on the table. You don't know what kind of rounds you'll be able to source in such a theoretical situation.
Click to expand...
Funny, I read the 62gr bullets as M855 / SS109 5.56 ammo, so full powered LC type ammo.

Very Valid point on the gas port size being a factor in 100% reliable with cheaper steel cased type ammo.
 
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