Need advice on a barrel and handguard

Panzer Radeo · Oct 27, 2014

A few questions. Hold onto your butts. Looking for advice or suggestions.

I'm planning on building a new upper early next year so I'm coming up with a list of parts I'll need. The two parts I haven't decided on yet are the barrel and free float handguard. I'm looking for a 20" varmint/target/heavy barrel, fluted (optional), threaded (optional really), rifle length gas system, chambered in 2.23 Wylde/2.23 rem/5.56, under $500. I saw a noveske (http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2265) but it says "medium varmint" so not sure if that qualifies as a heavy barrel under Marylands communist law. If I can't use that, how about this Wilson Combat? (http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Wilson-...-Stainless-Fluted/productinfo/TR-223SS20F-18/)

Also, must the barrel be heavy from the barrel nut all the way to the muzzle, or can it drop profile where the gas block sits. Kind of like YMS. (http://yhm.net/20-fluted-melonite-qpq-barrels-1475.html) If anyone can recommend a good, 20" heavy target barrel meeting those requirements, I'm all ears.

As far as a handguard, I'm looking for one that will cover the gas block, keymod, and free float. So far, I've seen a troy alpha that doesn't have keymod slots, but did find a Midwest industries rail that looks to fit the bill. Unless anyone can suggest something better, I'll probably go with that. (http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=1211)

Thanks in advance!

NateIU10 · Oct 27, 2014

My suggestion would be one of our 20" fluted White Oak barrels and a BCM KMR 15". But I'm biased.

Panzer Radeo · Oct 27, 2014

I checked out the manufacturer's site and don't see anything chambered in 223 wylde. Unless I'm missing something, that wouldn't fit my need. I kind of want the flexibility.

MKR03 · Oct 27, 2014

WOA SDM barrels are chambered in 223 wylde.

ETA: I'm not biased, and I agree with Nate. The problem is getting your hands on a KMR 15.

Panzer Radeo · Oct 27, 2014

https://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17565&cat=&page=1

So this is MD legal? It uses a .750 gas block. I thought heavy barrels need a .936.

NateIU10 · Oct 27, 2014

Our white oak barrels are custom made for us. They are indeed HBAR, but we have them engraved "EA-HB" and "HBAR" to be sure. Ours are also bead blasted.

The KMR 15s are hard to find, I just happen to have 4 in stock right now for sale.

NateIU10 · Oct 27, 2014

http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=156329

In case you want to read up on our barrels or see pictures.

OrbitalEllipses · Oct 27, 2014

NateIU10 said:
The KMR 15s are hard to find, I just happen to have 4 in stock right now for sale.

417d02e59bc5bc56d3152a92547312fc04cd5a1dbc97a7de1dccb15939cc0e2b.jpg

Overboost44 · Oct 27, 2014

NateIU10 said:
Our white oak barrels are custom made for us. They are indeed HBAR, but we have them engraved "EA-HB" and "HBAR" to be sure. Ours are also bead blasted.

The KMR 15s are hard to find, I just happen to have 4 in stock right now for sale.

I bought the WOA 14.7" from Engage. I agree with Nate. Check them out! I am in the same dilemma as you on the hand guard. I will get a KMR from BCM, JP or Midwest Industries or a carbon fiber rail from Precision Firearms. Not sure who makes it. Handguards are hard to pick out for me.

Panzer Radeo · Oct 27, 2014

I honestly see no difference between a MWI and a BCM 15". They both allow keymod rails. Just different barrel nuts. How much are you guys charging for the BCM KMR 15?

NateIU10 · Oct 27, 2014

Panzer Radeo said:
I honestly see no difference between a MWI and a BCM 15". They both allow keymod rails. Just different barrel nuts. How much are you guys charging for the BCM KMR 15?

No idea, I think it's around $280, but I'll have to check when we're open tomorrow. I've never felt the MI rail, but love the KMR. Being aluminum/magnesium blend, it is the lightest hg I've ever held.

BradMacc82 · Oct 27, 2014

If you intend this upper to fill more of a precision/varmint role, the KMR rail may not be the best option for you.

It is incredibly light and a well thought out system - but it does have a fair amount of flex to it. It shouldn't affect accuracy, but you will notice some flex if you shoot from the bench off a bipod - lean into the rifle to load the bipod and it can mess with your mind some when you see how it flexes under load.

Panzer Radeo · Oct 27, 2014

Good to know. Thanks. And yeah if you could give me a price on that BCM 15 that'd be awesome. Thanks in advance!

Mike3888 · Oct 27, 2014

I went with a black hole weaponry barrel in 6x45, didn't mind the wait cause it shoots like this.

sailskidrive · Oct 27, 2014

BradMacc82 said:
If you intend this upper to fill more of a precision/varmint role, the KMR rail may not be the best option for you.

It is incredibly light and a well thought out system - but it does have a fair amount of flex to it. It shouldn't affect accuracy, but you will notice some flex if you shoot from the bench off a bipod - lean into the rifle to load the bipod and it can mess with your mind some when you see how it flexes under load.

^^^Exactly.

I went with an big ole honk'n old school solid aluminum tube free float tube on my varmint rig and a slab side heavy forge upper receiver. It's very stiff and with the 24" Kreiger barrel the pills come out at half the speed of light.

Leave the keymod rails for the mall ninjas and your carbine.

Old Skool

Overboost44 · Oct 27, 2014

sailskidrive said:
^^^Exactly.

I went with an big ole honk'n old school solid aluminum tube free float tube on my varmint rig and a slab side heavy forge upper receiver. It's very stiff and with the 24" Kreiger barrel the pills come out at half the speed of light.

Leave the keymod rails for the mall ninjas and your carbine.

Old Skool

That is the tube I want on my varmint rifle. What tube is that? That looks nice. I guess any lo-pro gas block mount will work under that?

Sticky · Oct 28, 2014

I put a Wilson 20" bull barrel (not the fluted one tho) on my first varmint build AR. It shoots half minute of angle all day long and it a groundhog head vaporizer. No regrets, it's been a great rifle to work up loads for, it loves most everything I feed it... lol

Kinda wish they made a 308 barrel, getting ready to build one more rifle...

That said, a bull barrel is a bull barrel and an HBAR is an HBAR.. there is substantially more weight out front on the bull barreled rifle, not one you want to lug around all day long. I have one of each and if it's varmints, I'll grab the bull bbl and get the workout carrying it around, cos it shoots lights out..

lsw · Oct 28, 2014

I just ordered from White Oak and while on the phone with the customer rep, she mentioned that they have .223 fluted heavy varmint barrels in stock. I believe the cost was in the $350 range.

Jakedasnake · Oct 28, 2014

Panzer Radeo said:
A few questions. Hold onto your butts. Looking for advice or suggestions.

I'm planning on building a new upper early next year so I'm coming up with a list of parts I'll need. The two parts I haven't decided on yet are the barrel and free float handguard. I'm looking for a 20" varmint/target/heavy barrel, fluted (optional), threaded (optional really), rifle length gas system, chambered in 2.23 Wylde/2.23 rem/5.56, under $500. I saw a noveske (http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2265) but it says "medium varmint" so not sure if that qualifies as a heavy barrel under Marylands communist law. If I can't use that, how about this Wilson Combat? (http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Wilson-...-Stainless-Fluted/productinfo/TR-223SS20F-18/)

Also, must the barrel be heavy from the barrel nut all the way to the muzzle, or can it drop profile where the gas block sits. Kind of like YMS. (http://yhm.net/20-fluted-melonite-qpq-barrels-1475.html) If anyone can recommend a good, 20" heavy target barrel meeting those requirements, I'm all ears.

As far as a handguard, I'm looking for one that will cover the gas block, keymod, and free float. So far, I've seen a troy alpha that doesn't have keymod slots, but did find a Midwest industries rail that looks to fit the bill. Unless anyone can suggest something better, I'll probably go with that. (http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=1211)

Thanks in advance!

Well I'm ordering this barrel here for my precision work. They give a Guaranteed money back offer of Sub MOA without the whole, "Must use this type of ammo, bolt, blah blah blah, for warranty to work.". So here ya go.

http://www.tacticallink.com/Northte...tra-Precision-.223-Wylde-NTD-AR15-BRL-16.html

Fear nothing, Nor anyone!

sailskidrive · Oct 28, 2014

Overboost44 said:
That is the tube I want on my varmint rifle. What tube is that? That looks nice. I guess any lo-pro gas block mount will work under that?

The upper was built by Fulton Armory and it was a generic house free float tube. I'm sure you can probably still order it on their website, if not give them a call.

What twist rate are you considering? A true varmint rig will be a slower twist but it's not real practical for shooting heavier bullets. I think mine is either a 1:9 or 1:12...

Need advice on a barrel and handguard

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

National Wanderer

Ultimate Member

National Wanderer

Active Member

National Wanderer

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

6th gear

National Wanderer

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

National Wanderer

Mike3888

Attachments

Legalize the Constitution

6th gear

Beware of Dog

לא לדרוך עליי

Active Member

Legalize the Constitution

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics