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Barrel for a lightweight(ish) build


Scott Clearman

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I'm looking a building a hunting rifle, 16" and suppressing it.  To that end, I want to be lightweight, although I'm not tryiung to build the lightest possible.  I just don't want it to be 'too heavy'.  By comparison, I have a semi-heavy barreled 16" AR15 I use for predators and I would love to be able to have a 308 that didn't weigh more than that.

I'm looking at the Ballistic Advantage 16" tactical government profile in .308 mid-length.  I was wondering if anyone had experience with that barrel, and if so how the build came out weight wise.

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52 minutes ago, Scott Clearman said:

I'm looking a building a hunting rifle, 16" and suppressing it.  To that end, I want to be lightweight, although I'm not tryiung to build the lightest possible.  I just don't want it to be 'too heavy'.  By comparison, I have a semi-heavy barreled 16" AR15 I use for predators and I would love to be able to have a 308 that didn't weigh more than that.

I'm looking at the Ballistic Advantage 16" tactical government profile in .308 mid-length.  I was wondering if anyone had experience with that barrel, and if so how the build came out weight wise.

It's 28oz's and on sale for $124 at Primary arms.

It is a very effective barrel easily out to 600 meters.

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It is 35.9oz and $218 on sale at primary arms.

https://www.primaryarms.com/ballistic-advantage-ar-10-308-16-mid-length-barrel-5-8x24-babl308003m

Faxon makes a nice barrel as well.  Here is a 16" pencil profile mid-length 308 barrel.  It is about 28oz but not on sale.  It is $246.

https://www.primaryarms.com/faxon-16in-308-mid-length-pencil-barrel-10a810m16npq

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1 hour ago, Armed Eye Doc said:

It is 35.9oz and $218 on sale at primary arms.

https://www.primaryarms.com/ballistic-advantage-ar-10-308-16-mid-length-barrel-5-8x24-babl308003m

Faxon makes a nice barrel as well.  Here is a 16" pencil profile mid-length 308 barrel.  It is about 28oz but not on sale.  It is $246.

https://www.primaryarms.com/faxon-16in-308-mid-length-pencil-barrel-10a810m16npq

They must have just changed the price.  Yesterday, that BA barrel was $127.   Should have bought without worrying I guess.   

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2 hours ago, Armed Eye Doc said:

Faxon makes a nice barrel as well.  Here is a 16" pencil profile mid-length 308 barrel.  It is about 28oz but not on sale.  It is $246.

https://www.primaryarms.com/faxon-16in-308-mid-length-pencil-barrel-10a810m16npq

I have the Faxon 16" 308 pencil barrel. It's shaping up to be a damn good barrel.:thumbup:

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Matrix upper, lower, handguard and lower build kit, Magpul MOE fixed Carbine stock & K2 grip, Toolcraft BCG, Larue MBT trigger, Armalite buffer tube setup and Bushnell 3x12 scope. 98Z5V did a burnt bronze Cerakote job on it for me. I haven't had much trigger time with it yet but the 100 yard groups I was getting off of a crappy azzed rest were pretty good. I am trying to find some time to get back out to the range with the bipod on it and really wring it out.

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The pencil barrel would be good for hunting.  I think you stated it's gonna be suppressed most of the time.  You'll basically only need the Cold Bore shot and maybe one more.  The Faxon Pencil would be ideal for this - unless you're running a 3lb suppressor off the end of it.  That BA barrel would be good too. I'll tell you - both WILL be accurate barrels. 

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18 minutes ago, 98Z5V said:

The pencil barrel would be good for hunting.  I think you stated it's gonna be suppressed most of the time.  You'll basically only need the Cold Bore shot and maybe one more.  The Faxon Pencil would be ideal for this - unless you're running a 3lb suppressor off the end of it.  That BA barrel would be good too. I'll tell you - both WILL be accurate barrels. 

Would there be a noticeable difference in weight between barrels in a completed build, all other parts being the same?

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Not really - overall.  A few ounces here are there, min to max.  Going with the thicker of the two barrels will be better since you're running suppressed, and have additional weight hanging off the end of the barrel.  You'll have less POI shift as it heats up, with a thicker (of the two) barrel. 

Since it's a hunter, though - it really won't heat up.

Tough call, parameters considered...  :thumbup:

Edited by 98Z5V
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If I had to pick a barrel for a build, using your parameters, I'd buy this one for the build:

https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/16-inch-308-tacgov-mid-ss-premium-barrel.html

16in_308_tac_gov_premium_1.jpg

It's better than $50 off right now, through Ballistic Advantage.  All their "Premium Series" barrels are "Match" barrels.  I have a pile of these barrels, in different calibers, and they don't disappoint.  Every one of them is one HELL of a shooter.

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