.308 AR Barrel

[HeyWho]

Hi guys,
I am considering either a Criterion or a Rainer Arms Ultra Match - any thoughts? I am going to purchase a 20" barrel for LR-308/AR-10 set up in 308.

Thanks!

 

[Matt Tatum]

I've built a couple out of the rainier arms ultra match and they have been fantastic shooters. I believe they are shilen ultra match barrels cut to rainiers specs.

 

[HeyWho]

I've built a couple out of the rainier arms ultra match and they have been fantastic shooters. I believe they are shilen ultra match barrels cut to rainiers specs.

Hi,
Thanks for the info. Someone told me today that Rainer UM are blanks from Criterion... So many darn choices, I just don't know

 

[Matt Tatum]

They may be. At one time I'm sure it was shilen and criterion was making the match. They had 3 levels. That may have changed. I've shot several criterion chrome line in 5.56 and they shoot well but not with the ultra match. That's not really an apples to apples comparison though.

 

[ntsqd]

Best shooting AR .308 barrel that I have is a Brownell's house brand made by Satern. Not sure if those are still available or not.

I have a couple small bore RA UM barrels, but I haven't been able to really work with them enough to know how well they shoot.

 

[Brathany]

Wilson Combat. You might have to drill the gas port though. Easy enough with a Harbor Freight numbered drill bit kit. I'd recommend an adjustable gas block regardless.

Keeping to the two you listed though, the Criterion.

 

[HeyWho]

Thanks for the info and opinions so far guys, I appreciate it.

 

[ARlife4me]

CBI m118 chambered 308win FTW! I have 2 of their 22" 11t barrels and you can't go wrong! 22 is the longest I've seen in their m118's and 18 is the shortest. Not sure about a 20" tho? Got them on sale thru Brownells.

 

[HeyWho]

CBI m118 chambered 308win FTW! I have 2 of their 22" 11t barrels and you can't go wrong! 22 is the longest I've seen in their m118's and 18 is the shortest. Not sure about a 20" tho? Got them on sale thru Brownells.

Hey,
Thanks for the info - I did notice that one the other day. Do you know how it does with say 150gr. SMK, 168 SMK and up to mostly 175gr SMK? Since the M118LR is part of the name I imagine it shoots 175gr very well.

 

[Brathany]

CBI m118 chambered 308win FTW! I have 2 of their 22" 11t barrels and you can't go wrong! 22 is the longest I've seen in their m118's and 18 is the shortest. Not sure about a 20" tho? Got them on sale thru Brownells.

Wonder what they are doing with that moniker other than marketing? It's not like increasing the freebore would benefit from a magazine restricted length gun...

 

[ARlife4me]

Hey,
Thanks for the info - I did notice that one the other day. Do you know how it does with say 150gr. SMK, 168 SMK and up to mostly 175gr SMK? Since the M118LR is part of the name I imagine it shoots 175gr very well.

I don't know. I've only shot m80 (pmc bronze 147fmj).

 

[ARlife4me]

Wonder what they are doing with that moniker other than marketing? It's not like increasing the freebore would benefit from a magazine restricted length gun...

Couldn't say, but mags i have are 2.830 to 2.870 and there's m118 ammo that'll fit the mag.

 

[Brathany]

Couldn't say, but mags i have are 2.830 to 2.870 and there's m118 ammo that'll fit the mag.

You know your jump?

 

[muleyhunter13]

Not necessarily apples to apples… I have a sig cross in .308 and had the hardest time finding an acceptable load for it. Over the holidays I noticed Ranier Arms had a replacement barrel for the sig crosss (ultra match mod2). I bought it cause it was on sale. While I have only had one range trip, I am extremely happy with it. It shot SMK hand loads (what I had on hand) about 1/2" 5 shot groups the first two groupings. The barrel was extremely easy to clean and appeared very well made.