Jump to content
308AR.com Community
  • Visit Aero Precision
  • Visit Brownells
  • Visit EuroOptic
  • Visit Site
  • Visit Beachin Tactical
  • Visit Rainier Arms
  • Visit Ballistic Advantage
  • Visit Palmetto State Armory
  • Visit Cabelas
  • Visit Sportsmans Guide

Help Me Choose A Match Grade Barrel


FrankieJames7

Recommended Posts

as the title suggests, i'm looking for a dpms match grade barrel.

here are my priorities. it must be strong, very strong infact. i want this barrel to last a lifetime of wilderness packing and traveling. it must be resistant to corrosion, not a huge issue because there are things out there that protect against it but i don't want it to start rust specking because of some snow or some bs like that. it must be accurate, this is probably the 2nd most important criteria behind strength. it must be wear resistant, like i said a lifetime of use is expected out of it so i don't want m1 garand bore where a bullet will drop to the chamber from the muzzle because it is so loose.

i want to know about rifle twist as well, i would like a 1-11.25 but if 1-10 is "better" then i will get that.

i would also like to hear thoughts on chromoly vs stainless steel for barrel material.

i am looking for a heavier contoured 21 incher. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

FJ; just curious, are you asking about a 308 barrel? I'm asking because you don't say and this is in the general section so it could be just about any barrel. Not trying to be snarky just need clarification. 

Also, what is your intent with this? Mountain hunting, bench shooting, plinking? Will you be handloading your ammo or buying factory ammo?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

yes, a .308/7.62 nato. probably be handloading in the future, and it is going to be my everything rifle except extreme long range.

then you probably don't need a 21" barrel, especially if you plan on "packing it in" somewhere shave off that extra weight and go with a 18"? 

Unless your huge or just like lugging extra weight around I've gotta imagine a rifle with a 21" barrels gotta weigh 13-15# loaded?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

well i like fast shooting bullets, with a .308 being a little slow to begin with i want at least a proper 20 inch rifle barrel.

FJ, for what it's worth, the faster you push those bullets the faster you wear out the barrel. I know you said you wanted a barrel that will last a lifetime, but I have to ask another question: how often do you plan on shooting it? 

I would suggest a barrel from, Faxon, Ballistic Advantage, Green Mountain, Criterion, or Aero Precision  (who gets their barrels from Ballistic Advantage).

To address the SS vs CMV, I say that really depends on you. The general consensus on a good SS barrel is that it will shoot "more accurately" but when it starts to degrade in performance then it REALLY goes to hell. While a good CMV barrel can be "just as accurate" and the performance degradation is more gradual. Remember these are generalities, every barrel is an entity unto itself.

About the twist rate, if it were me making the choice I would opt for the 1 in 10 twist. That will allow you to push longer bullets which generally equates to heavier bullets. I say generally because if you choose to shoot gilding metal they will be lighter but longer.

Good luck with your purchase and let us know which way you ended up going. 

Edited by Malig8r
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  

  4 hours ago, FrankieJames7 said:

well i like fast shooting bullets, with a .308 being a little slow to begin with i want at least a proper 20 inch rifle barrel.

A 16" barrel is what you need if you are packing and hunting....I like the QPQ process for barrels...  do not get a heavy profile...bad for packing and hunting...just too much weight...these ar308's can gain weight real fast on a build    Wash

Link to comment
Share on other sites

then you probably don't need a 21" barrel, especially if you plan on "packing it in" somewhere shave off that extra weight and go with a 18"? 

Unless your huge or just like lugging extra weight around I've gotta imagine a rifle with a 21" barrels gotta weigh 13-15# loaded?

yeh my build with a jp 22" weighs in at 13.5 pounds heavy mother 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If enhanced corrosion resistance is a factor, then you might want to look into a chrome lined (to protect the bore) or nitrided (to protect the interior/exterior of the barrel) option. For packing in the field I'd recommend a mid-weight model like our Hybrid contour. That should keep you sub-MOA all day, and won't drag you down after the first couple miles of slogging through the brush!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...