Need Barrel Recommendation for AR15

budlight said:

Very bad idea. The poster said 55 grain varmint. I bought a 20 inch barrel PSA 1:7. 55 grain loaded to only 3200 fps would fly sideways and odd angles though paper at 100 yards. 62 grain didn't even make a round hole. Only when you dumbed it down to sub 2750 fps like 16 or less inch barrels did it even group. I was ****ed that I took someones poor advice.

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I run an 18" DD hammer forged barrel with a 7" twist. It shoots 55 grain blitz kings just as well as 77 grain SMKs.

FireFlyFishing said:

I run an 18" DD hammer forged barrel with a 7" twist. It shoots 55 grain blitz kings just as well as 77 grain SMKs.

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What is the velocity of the 55 gr? I said that mine 7 twist would group when you slow them down to less than 2800 fps

Somewhere north of 2800, but not much more.

atblis said:

Are they air gauged and lapped?

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BA barrel is just one of my match grade 20 inchers. I don't know what each company does in the way of straightening and measuring. I have a few very accurate Wyldes and 5.56 chambers. I built them with forged everything and a lot of time trueing the uppers to the barrels, polished feed ramps, and polished inside and out SS barrels.

Thing were very available years ago.

Another small company that makes an accurate inexpensive barrel is AR performance. The guy who made them was the 6.8spc guru. I have one of his barrels and it shoots good. He actually was necking the grendel down to 6mm and 22 and offering barrels years ago. I think these guys are selling the barrels now.

FireFlyFishing said:

Somewhere north of 2800, but not much more.

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That is exactly what I said: Slow the light weight bullets down and they would group. So 7 twist over stabalizes the pills. I did what I said I changed to 9 and a few 8 twist. My 8 twist I only shoot one high BC 69 grain HPBT load in competition.

budlight said:

BA barrel is just one of my match grade 20 inchers. I don't know what each company does in the way of straightening and measuring. I have a few very accurate Wyldes and 5.56 chambers. I built them with forged everything and a lot of time trueing the uppers to the barrels, polished feed ramps, and polished inside and out SS barrels.

Thing were very available years ago.

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Ballistic Advantages does not and that's the biggest problem with them IMO. You're not guaranteed consistent bore dimensions. Some times their good, sometimes they're a bit ****.

Twist rate would depend on how heavy a projectile you'll be using, you already stated starting with 55s so how heavy will make a difference. Stick with good brands mentioned here already and avoid the cheap ones.

G19Jeeper said:

Looking for a 20" Rifle Length heavier taper AR15 barrel in 223 Wylde. Experiences and photos welcome.

I am currently looking at a Wilson combat Super Sniper with target crown. Was going to go with a non threaded variant but not partial either way. Rifle will be used with a magnified optic to shoot 55 gr varmint bullets and heavier stuff as well so 1:8 Twist prefered.

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Check with John at White Oaks!

Thank you all for the replies and the input!

Just curious why nobody mentioned Proof barrels yet. I have one with 1:8 on my 3 gun rifle and it consistently shoots sub MOA with cheap 55gr PMC bronze and even better with 55gr hand loads. They're expensive but buy once cry once always pays off in the long run.

I've had good luck with ballistic advantage 300 blkout barrels. No luck with psa barrels. Psa doesn't disclose where they source there barrels.

I'd give Wilson Combat a try

JP and White Oak shoot, if they don't shoot they are companies that stand behind their products. DPMS years ago had exceptional barrels, back when they were making the barrels for Clark they were among the best and I am still shooting them. I've not owned one but I have known a lot of people shooting high power with the Criterion barrels and really liking them. I have one ER Shaw and it shoots an easy minute with most everything I have put in it.