Barrels...and other parts

[alamo5000]

It's late, so I admit I skimmed the OP. What is your intended purpose of this rifle? HD, Weekend plinking, Training, ect? That will determine a lot of your responses.

As for Rainier's Site on barrels, here's a quick run down:

Select Barrels = Entry level match grade barrel, still has a 5.56 chamber.
Match Barrels = Mid Range match barrel. Uses .223 Wylde chamber
UltraMatch Barrels = Top of the line barrel using Shilen Blanks.

All are guaranteed to shoot sub-MOA with match ammo, well that's if the shooter does his part. Rainier likes to ask if you want to shoot quarters, nickels or dimes when asked about their match barrels.

The Mountain Series Barrels are hard use, military grade barrels. Cold Hammer Forged FN barrels with double chrome lining. I've been able to shoot 1.5 MOA groups with them. Not as accurate, but more accurate than most people including me.

My "purpose" more than anything is to simply enjoy shooting sports. I am not a cop. I am not a soldier (I was unable to enlist due to a serious injury)... I live in the country and we all get together and shoot for fun. I am a far cry from some top secret operator, but more like a skeet shooter who wants to expand my horizons. That said I personally try to take my own shooting beyond the whole plinking of tin cans off the fence. I like hunting just as much as the next guy but the AR won't be for hunting. I have been invited more than once to be on shooting teams (amateur) so at some point I might give 3 gun a try.

Part of the reason why I haven't jumped into AR's before now is because it never really had that 'definition'. all in all it will be for fun. I do live in the country though so there is a chance for varmint/coyote/pig shooting etc, although later I might go for an AR10 for the pig thing.

The part that I enjoy about shooting isn't just making a bunch of racket and being satisfied hitting a frisbee. I like the science behind it. It wouldn't be outside of the realm of possibility for me to give in and run a 3 gun course. Who knows until I try.

And of course there is always the prospect of home defense. But for sheer enjoyment it would probably be an 'accurate' plinker. But, I would probably keep all the rest of that stuff in mind.

On average (seeing how I can walk out into the back yard and shoot) I might go through anywhere between a magazine or two per week. If we have an event (IE BBQ/Skeet shoot/fun time out) I might go through 10 mags in an afternoon...

Don't make the assumption that I am some hotshot gunner... I am just doing this stuff for fun...That said every once in a while we do have some of the local cops out to the house and they shoot with us...just for fun...

[Former11B]

I think a Rainier Select Match medium contour (Medcon) barrel would be right up your alley. Not too expensive but superbly accurate given the shooter and the ammo work together. I run a 16" Select Match (not the MedCon...they are a hair lighter than the regular profile Select barrels I don't see on Rainier's site anymore) and get GREAT results with all weights of my handloaded ammo. I need to scrounge up some grouping targets. I even shot solid 1 MOA groups with PMC XTAC 62gr green tip.

For your purposes I don't think the performance increase and the extra $130 for an Ultra Match is going to be worth it for you

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=sho...roduct_id=3279

My "purpose" more than anything is to simply enjoy shooting sports. I am not a cop. I am not a soldier (I was unable to enlist due to a serious injury)... I live in the country and we all get together and shoot for fun. I am a far cry from some top secret operator, but more like a skeet shooter who wants to expand my horizons. That said I personally try to take my own shooting beyond the whole plinking of tin cans off the fence. I like hunting just as much as the next guy but the AR won't be for hunting. I have been invited more than once to be on shooting teams (amateur) so at some point I might give 3 gun a try.

Part of the reason why I haven't jumped into AR's before now is because it never really had that 'definition'. all in all it will be for fun. I do live in the country though so there is a chance for varmint/coyote/pig shooting etc, although later I might go for an AR10 for the pig thing.

The part that I enjoy about shooting isn't just making a bunch of racket and being satisfied hitting a frisbee. I like the science behind it. It wouldn't be outside of the realm of possibility for me to give in and run a 3 gun course. Who knows until I try.

And of course there is always the prospect of home defense. But for sheer enjoyment it would probably be an 'accurate' plinker. But, I would probably keep all the rest of that stuff in mind.

On average (seeing how I can walk out into the back yard and shoot) I might go through anywhere between a magazine or two per week. If we have an event (IE BBQ/Skeet shoot/fun time out) I might go through 10 mags in an afternoon...

Don't make the assumption that I am some hotshot gunner... I am just doing this stuff for fun...That said every once in a while we do have some of the local cops out to the house and they shoot with us...just for fun...

[alamo5000]

I think a Rainier Select Match medium contour (Medcon) barrel would be right up your alley. Not too expensive but superbly accurate given the shooter and the ammo work together. I run a 16" Select Match (not the MedCon...they are a hair lighter than the regular profile Select barrels I don't see on Rainier's site anymore) and get GREAT results with all weights of my handloaded ammo.

This is in fact so far on my short list of barrels that I have been looking at. As I stated before (and if you can't tell) I over think a whole lot of stuff. :)

I see the prices on there but how am I going to know if I am getting screwed price wise? How will I know (other than sheer name brand) know that I am getting something in spec that will work? I think sticking to major manufacturers in my case is a good deal... I don't mind springing an extra $50 if it means I truly gain something by doing that. On the other hand I am not paying merely for a 'name'.

Another question I have is barrel contours. I have no idea why they have different contours and if this effects anything. I know some are dimpled, or are fluted to help cool the barrels (more surface area) but for me, I don't think that will make a huge difference for me. Hopefully i don't end up in some fire fight.

Not trying to sound like an ass, but if I build a decent rifle and I shoot the barrel out 2 years later... I can buy another barrel. It's just like a car. Eventually the windshield wipers wear out. That's routine stuff as far as I am concerned.

All that said, the overwhelming amount of choices simply scare me away from getting into this stuff. A barrel seems simple, but then again apparently it's not :)

And don't even get me started on triggers (yet). I want to discuss them too but for now I am staying right on task with the barrel thing until I can flesh that out and be relatively confident that I am not getting screwed over price wise or on something that's not what is right for me.

[Former11B]

First off, there is nothing wrong with doing the research and asking a lot of questions. You will be less likely to regret a purchase and be happier overall with the rifle you've built EXACTLY to your standards, and if you do need to re-evaluate a part after you get it and use it, then you'll have a better idea of which direction to go. Also, you'll be better equipped mentally for future builds based on your requirements and also be able to help future AR beginners, whether they are forum members or friends/family.

As far as barrels go, the MEDCON (not to sound stupid) is a happy medium between light/pencil barrels and heavy/HBAR profile barrels. Heavier barrels are more rigid and heat up more slowly during higher rates of fire. In terms of rigidity, think of hanging a suppressor on the end of a light vs heavy barrel. You'll likely get more "sag" with the pencil barrel and see a greater effect on POI shift than the heavier barrel. The MEDCON is a compromise.

With fluting/dimpling, it's a way to shave off weight while increasing surface area for cooling while retaining rigidity. As far as dimpling goes, you'll probably pay a premium for it, and if you are getting the rifle down and dirty and are a really picky about cleaning...you'll be going to town on that thing with a toothbrush lol

Don't let the amount of choices scare you. Just look for what meets your needs and your budget, but don't forget: unless it's on sale, you usually get what you pay for in this industry. I am a firm believer in "buy once, cry once" in the firearms world...also, the respected names out there will take care of you in the unlikely chance something is wrong with their product. I'd rather buy the $250 Rainier barrel once then try to skimp out on a $90 bargain basement model...and end up buying the Rainier barrel a couple months later. I also look at it like my ARs, despite being "match"/precision setups or hunting rifles may also be tasked to defend my life at some point. That's not the time I want to wonder if my gear is going to hold out (not that it applies to this conversation...just food for thought).

Also, it may be hard to find a barrel that meets all your criteria from the previous post AND it be a 1:8 twist. I don't know if I've seen a 1:8 barrel that wasn't stainless steel.

This is in fact so far on my short list of barrels that I have been looking at. As I stated before (and if you can't tell) I over think a whole lot of stuff. :)

I see the prices on there but how am I going to know if I am getting screwed price wise? How will I know (other than sheer name brand) know that I am getting something in spec that will work? I think sticking to major manufacturers in my case is a good deal... I don't mind springing an extra $50 if it means I truly gain something by doing that. On the other hand I am not paying merely for a 'name'.

Another question I have is barrel contours. I have no idea why they have different contours and if this effects anything. I know some are dimpled, or are fluted to help cool the barrels (more surface area) but for me, I don't think that will make a huge difference for me. Hopefully i don't end up in some fire fight.

Not trying to sound like an ass, but if I build a decent rifle and I shoot the barrel out 2 years later... I can buy another barrel. It's just like a car. Eventually the windshield wipers wear out. That's routine stuff as far as I am concerned.

All that said, the overwhelming amount of choices simply scare me away from getting into this stuff. A barrel seems simple, but then again apparently it's not :)

And don't even get me started on triggers (yet). I want to discuss them too but for now I am staying right on task with the barrel thing until I can flesh that out and be relatively confident that I am not getting screwed over price wise or on something that's not what is right for me.