16" Barrel Choices...

[D.R.D.]

·         16” Lothar Walther Polygonal Mid-length 1:10 Melonite  (.750)                                                                         $345  

·         16” BHW Mid or Intermediate-Length Barrel Semi-Bull Contour (.875) with Polygonal Rifling 1:11                 $325 

·         16” Brownell’s 5R mid-length SS 1:10   (.750)                                                                                                  $280  

·         16” Rainier Select Mid-Length Barrel with Polygonal Rifling 1:11  (.750)                                                          $273   

·         16” Ares Armor Mid-length Chrome lined 1:10    (.750)                                                                                     $200 

 

Which of the above do you think would be the best bang for the buck?  I am looking for accuracy, of course - using 168 or 175gr .308 - as far as she'll go.

[edgecrusher]

The LW barrel

[Robocop1051]

LW, then the Rainier. Rainier select barrels are rebranded BHW barrels, but they are 100x easier to get in contact with and deal with. They also have an excellent return policy.

I believe LW barrels come with a matched bolt???

FYI. Every once in a while Fulton Armory puts out a 16" rifle length Criterion barrel. A few if the guys here have that barrel. I kick myself every time I miss them.

[98Z5V]

My next 308 AR project will be rollin' a 14.5" barrel, and a pinned muzzle device.  If I can find a Noveske 13.7" barrel, it'll be even better. 

[D.R.D.]

Yeah, I've kept my eye out in Fulton, but it's really a flash in the pan deal.

LW includes a matched bolt for an additional $100

[D.R.D.]

98Z5V, Which muzzle device are you leaning towards?

[98Z5V]

51t AAC Brakeout, of course.  <thumbsup>

 

 

Edited August 19, 2014 by 98Z5V

[Robocop1051]

Or the KX5-7.62 for that 13.7"???

[98Z5V]

Nope.  I save that beast for barrels under 10"... 

 

It will be on my short 8.5"  300BLK, though.  <thumbsup>

[survivalshop]

LW barrel.

 

This would be my first choice FA, Kreiger Criterion 16" HB, just for Rob to look at . <thumbsup>

[mineralman55]

So where do you get that LW barrel? The choice seems to be unanamous. Are they that much better?

[Robocop1051]

LW barrel.

This would be my first choice FA, Kreiger Criterion 16" HB, just for Rob to look at . <thumbsup>

Damnit all

[D.R.D.]

Directly from Lothar Walther

[Toolndie7]

Damnit all

 

You could always cut down an 18.5" and thread it.  Dont know how bad you really want one though.

[EasyEJL]

I'd go with the rainier myself, it seems the best bang for the buck. Next rifle i'm having shadow ops custom make me a 12" barrel with permanently attached silencer to bring it to 16, once they get their 308 silencers good enough to be worthwhile :)

[Robocop1051]

You could always cut down an 18.5" and thread it. Dont know how bad you really want one though.

That's the next plan. I'm looking at an AR10T that needs a HUGE weight loss plan. I'm thinking a complete barrel job, cut/crown/thread and flute or recontour. Then maybe turn it into a Dissipator.

[survivalshop]

 Who else sells a rifle length gas system on a 16" 308 ? If you have one made , will they make it rifle length ? I know most believe it doesn't work , well sorry to disappoint , mine works fine .

[D.R.D.]

BHW told me they'd make 16" in MId, Intermediate or Rifle if you like.  They can do medium, semi-bull or Bull contours, and may be coming out with a 1:10 twist in the near future.  They've been really great to speak with and easy to get a hold of for me.  I know others have had different experiences.

 

Here's the link:  http://www.shop.blackholeweaponry.com/308-Win-caliber-16-length-AR10-308-16.htm

[Robocop1051]

I'm a firm believer that a barrel should have the longest gas system that'll fit.

16" rifle length systems (Fulton Armory) and 12.5" mid length systems (WarSport LVOA) have both been done successfully.

[FaRKle!]

 Who else sells a rifle length gas system on a 16" 308 ? If you have one made , will they make it rifle length ? I know most believe it doesn't work , well sorry to disappoint , mine works fine .

 

Knight's does.

 

I modified my MWS SS barrel to a rifle length 16" too.

Edited August 20, 2014 by FaRKle!

[EasyEJL]

I'm a firm believer that a barrel should have the longest gas system that'll fit.

16" rifle length systems (Fulton Armory) and 12.5" mid length systems (WarSport LVOA) have both been done successfully.

anyone done shorter length barrels? I'm questioning it because sometime in the future i'll end up having a custom one built with an integral suppressor to an overall length of 16-17" but that realistically means around a 9" barrel, maybe shorter

[Robocop1051]

Make it completely custom. Don't put a gas port on the barrel at all. Instead, put the gas tube directly into the suppressor. There should be plenty of compression inside to cycle. Then you'd have an 8" or 9" barrel, and the equivalent of a mid or rifle length gas system.

[EasyEJL]

that makes sense. Once they get everything caught up I have a few special toys for them to make for me :D

[Toolndie7]

Make it completely custom. Don't put a gas port on the barrel at all. Instead, put the gas tube directly into the suppressor. There should be plenty of compression inside to cycle. Then you'd have an 8" or 9" barrel, and the equivalent of a mid or rifle length gas system.

 

I wouldnt imagine that would work as the round never "seals" in the baffles of a supressor so you wouldnt really have that much pressure to work with, but I would like to know if it can be done.

[skeeter7]

Mega also makes a 16" barrel which is what I used on my build, but it has a mid length gas port system.  For what it's worth, CMMG offers a 16" barrel with the rifle length gas port system.

Edited August 21, 2014 by skeeter7