Results 1 to 15 of 34
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7 April 2020, 18:27 #1
Looking for a 20” (possibly longer) .223 barrel
I’m going to be competing in a tactical division next year which requires you shoot either .308 or .223. The Open division has all the hot rods like the Creedmoors, 6GT/Dasher/etc etc.
My current 16” Ultramatch barrels are fantastic but I want to step it up a notch for velocity’s sake. Currently, I’m pushing 75gr Hornadys around 2650fps. 4” extra would probably add somewhere around 80-100fps, and I think I’m going to start using 73gr ELDs for said matches, so all in I want to be closer to or hitting 2800fps, which is definitely doable
I also have a ton of 77gr TMKs which would be greatly accelerated as well....my load for them is in the low 2600s but they’re darn accurate. Of course I’d be re-working my loads
I’m getting off track.
I’ve been looking at quality barrels and the two I’m comparing to start with are:
20” Rainier UM Mod 2 SDM ($380)
https://www.rainierarms.com/rainier-...sion-20-satin/
1/2x28 threads
1:7.5
Fluted
.750 gas block seat
2lbs 6oz
20” Criterion 223 Wylde ($340)
https://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...prod84773.aspx
1/2x28 threads
1:7.5
Fluted
.750 gas block seat
2lbs 3oz
They’re VERY similar all the way around and both have good reputations.
I checked WOA barrels and the ones I liked were either unthreaded or 5/8x24.
Any other sub $400 barrel worth looking at? The corresponding Lilja barrel I liked was $500
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8 April 2020, 12:36 #2
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8 April 2020, 17:21 #3
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8 April 2020, 18:47 #4
Craddock is always solid. I looked at their 223 barrels and they have none listed over 20”. I’m sure he can turn one for any length you specify.
https://craddockprecision.com/ar15-barrels/
If a Bartlein, you can choose your twist rate. But that’s above $500.
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9 April 2020, 05:08 #5
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9 April 2020, 08:23 #6
Whoa, that’s up near Proof territory.
Curious what options you selected.-One Nation, Under God
-"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot." ~ Michael Althsuler
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9 April 2020, 11:37 #7
Craddock Bartlein w/ Straight fluting, Superlative Gas Block + tube, and a head spaced bolt. $842. “Free” options: 1:7.7, 1/2x28 threads, .875” seat
I selected the Craddock Criterion 20” barrel with identical options as above and came out to $570. Fluting wasn’t standard on that particular Criterion barrel as it is with the one in my first post. To be fair, the $570 includes the gas block and tube I’d be buying anyways which is about $110, so it’s more like $430 vs $570 for the two Criterion barrels.
One more option I’ve found and heard good things about:
Faxon 20” Heavy Match Nitrided 223 Wylde ($320)
1/2x28 threads
1:8 twist/5R rifling
Fluted
.750 gas block seat
2lbs 1oz
https://faxonfirearms.com/match-seri...lon-extension/
I’ve read good things about this barrel. Definitely adding this to the list for consideration
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9 April 2020, 12:40 #8
Ah, gotcha. Was curious because I played around with it some after Fledge posted the link (been debating something more accurate for a 16”) and actually used most of the same options as you, except no gas block or bolt. So yes, I can see how that drove cost up.
Another barrel maybe to consider, a buddy of mine has a BCM 20” 410SS barrel that he can pull 1/2 - 3/4 MOA 5 shot groups with. At least with 77gr hand loads. About 1 MOA with 77gr Razorcore.-One Nation, Under God
-"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot." ~ Michael Althsuler
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9 April 2020, 13:07 #9
Just on brand and quality alone, I’d choose the Ranier UM over Faxon. Isn’t the UM made from Shilen blanks? If they are anything like my 18” SMOS shilen barrels, I would be very happy with that. It’s beyond its price point.
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9 April 2020, 13:18 #10
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9 April 2020, 13:24 #11
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9 April 2020, 14:31 #12
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9 April 2020, 20:35 #13
Yeaaahhh....I’ve currently got three Ultramatch barrels in use (One Shilen/Mod 1 and two Mod 2s) and have had six RA barrels total. No reason to switch now I guess. I’d still love to know who tunes them but secrets gonna secret, and the results are obviously there
Was reading a Snipers Hide thread from 2018 about a guy testing four new Mod 2 RA barrels (300BLK, 223 Wylde, 224V, and 6.5CM). Wish I had that kind of time!! He was getting High 2700s/Low 2800s with 73gr ELDs and 77gr SMKs in a 20” just like I was looking at, which are exactly the figures I was hoping for. I really need a sponsor for next year lol. We’ll see how I do overall this year and go from there....I’m just happy that I’m learning so much more about shooting than I ever would’ve just pinging steel and playing around with new hand loads every outing
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11 April 2020, 18:30 #14
Is this a run and gun kinda course or stationary timed
If run and gun I’d take the 16” , for such a small gain-FPS. But if sitting, I’d take the longer barrel
Not trying to buzzkill your new build idea..just don’t totally see why.. don’t ya have a 18” UM?
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11 April 2020, 20:34 #15
I used to have an 18” but I sold the barrel.
It was a weird intermediate length to me...like either go 16” or shorter or go 20” or longer. Sort of like .40 S&W....it just doesn’t make sense
The matches I’m doing have a little of both. It’s all on the clock and some stages are more stationary and some have a lot more movement, changing positions (like inside a vehicle to outside on the hood) or from a boat etc etc etc. A 24-26” barrel would be excessive because regardless I’ll be using a can and that would be super long