OMG! Try making a decision about an 18" SPR barrel!!!

[Cameron]

I was at the range the other day chronoing some loads and calculating dope for my 16" Recce build and I was thinking about my other 16" that really doesn't get much range time, it got me to thinking about re-barreling it, as I have two that have 16" barrels and are pretty much identical otherwise, one is a Daniel Defense complete upper that has a Lothar Walther Stainless LW50 .223 Wylde chamber 7" twist and a matched bolt, and the other has a Colt HBAR 5.56NATO chamber and 9" twist, the barrel came from a Colt 6721.

Daniel Defense 16" Recce build


Colt HBAR that I want to put an 18" barrel in


So I am looking to re-barrel the Colt with an 18" SPR type barrel like Noveske's, White Oak's, Rainier Arm's (Shilen) UltraMatch, JP Enterprises Supermatch or some other stainless match type 18"

I was wondering if anyone has info or opinions on the various options like Noveske’s Match Mod 0 chamber and intermediate length gas system versus the .223 Wylde chamber and mid-length gas in the others or a 8" vs. a 7" twist. I will probably top it with a Leupold Mark 4 3.5-10x40mm LR/T M3 Illuminated Scope when the budget allows. I would like the Daniel Defense 12.0 Life rail to cover the gas block and I am not sure if the Noveske "intermediate" gas will be too long. It will be used for rifle and 3-gun competitions, I'm not really looking for a military SPR clone.

So any thoughts on the chamber, the twist rate, muzzle device etc would be appreciated, and may help anyone else looking to dump 77gr happy pills into targets at 800 meters.

I had never seen these before but is will mean I would effectively have rifles exactly like Rainier Arms CQB, Recon and SPR uppers. It would have saved me a lot of time and money if I had seen them earlier!

Anyone want a Colt 16" HBAR barrel let me know...

Cameron

[Optimus Prime]

I think a 1 in 8 twist with a middy length system would give you the best all around set-up. Unless you're looking to go 77gr exclusively, then you might want a different twist rate.

[Paulo_Santos]

The chambers are very similar. The Noveske Mod 0 was designed around the MK262 (Sierra 77 GR SMK) ammo and the Wylde Chamber is designed for accuracy. Either the 1:7" or 1:8" will work with the 77 GR bullets and are good for the 50-80 GR bullets. The Intermediate Gas System is ideal for the SPR, but he Midlength will work fine. The intermediate length gas block will still be covered up by the 12" handguards. Sk as you can see, they are very even. I would personally make a list with the features and see which one has the most features you like.

Me personally, it would be a toss up between the Noveske and the Rainier Arms. If I was on a budget, I'd consider the White Oak.

[chase102798]

I have the 1-8" twist 18" mid gas barrel from rainier/shilen. It is an absolute tackdriver 1/2 MOA or less. I only shoot 77 gr Sierra or nosler bullets handloaded out of that barrel. It cleans up real nice with the ratchet rifling they advertise.

I'm sure the Noveske would be a shooter too. Had a 16" one and it was great. I had two WOAs, one in 5.56 and one I still have in 6.8. The 6.8 is an amazing shooter. The 5.56 was accurate too, but the chamber had really deep cutter ring marks on the case shoulder area and used to beat up by brass. (You could see it with a flashlight, weird) I had more split cases after a few firings with that barrel so I gave it to a guy who only shoots factory and didn't care. I'm sure I could have gotten it corrected by WOA, but just never messed with it...I have nothing against their barrels. Just my experience but I never had that with a Noveske or shilen (bolt gun or AR).

By the way, I love that first 16" gun...very nice.

[Jerry R]

Very nice set - your two sixteens.

I built an SPR using the Rainier Ultra Match. Could not be happier. Shoots sub MOA with Remington 60 grain match; and only slightly larger with PMC 55gr Ball.

Picture of it dressed for the party. Troy BUIS have been added since the photo session.