Which Barrel?

[silentj]

Hey guys and gals,

I'm building an AR and need some advice on a barrel. Looking for distance and accuracy. Chrome moly vanadium Steel barrel chrome lined bore or "Machine Gun Steel" Barrel chrome lined bore?

I'm new to this and this is my first AR so please be gentle

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[Sticky]

What kind of distance and what kind of accuracy? And... how much are you willing to give up versus weight of the finished rifle?

 

[BradMacc82]

Distance and accuracy?

I'm a big believer in "Buy once, Cry once". So I'd look at Rainier's line of barrels (http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/browse&category=ar15/m16_barrels_rainierarms), Noveske, and White Oak.

Not the cheapest options out there, but they are all very solid performers in the accuracy department.

 

[vin]

I believe that the guys that are into the precision AR world prefer unlined barrels, as the chrome lining can have uneven applications. Stainless barrels come into the mix since they don't need to be lined and they clean up easier than an unlined steel barrel. Stainless is worth looking into if you have the money to do it, but I've heard that they do wear out a little faster than the steel variants.

 

[Sticky]

Chrome lining does not lead to 'distance and accuracy'. If you want that, consider using a stainless bbl instead. If you are shooting full auto, you will want chrome lined, but if you want to build a tackdriver, you want a stainless bbl that won't lead to throat erosion over time.

Barrel profile is another huge consideration, bull is the most accurate, HBar next and then the lighter profile barrels. My Varminator sports a 20" sst bull barrel. It will nail a bottle cap at 100yds all day, but you don't want to be carrying that sucker around all day either. My HBar will come close and weighs in quite a few pounds less (it is steel (4140) and unlined).

 

[silentj]

I'm on a pretty tight budget of $500 for a assembled upper. I have been looking at the PSA Barreled Upper Assemblies. They have 2 that are in my price and those are the 2 barrels options I'm going back and forth.

Distance would be at most 1000 yards.

 

[Boom Boom]

What you're asking about is barrels made from 4140 versus 4150 steel. 4150 is preferred by MIL for long-term severe use, especially for sustained fire. 4150 will hold up better when glowing hot. Go with 4150 if you consider the price premium reasonable. Otherwise, 4140 is fine for the vast majority of civilian use cases.

 

[Sticky]

I believe that the guys that are into the precision AR world prefer unlined barrels, as the chrome lining can have uneven applications. Stainless barrels come into the mix since they don't need to be lined and they clean up easier than an unlined steel barrel. Stainless is worth looking into if you have the money to do it, but I've heard that they do wear out a little faster than the steel variants.

Just the opposite.. the durability of stainless is greater than steel, though the chrome lining is a leading factor there. If you are gonna shoot thousands of rounds, go chrome.. if you want to build a tackdriver that will not be shooting 100's of rounds at a clip, go SST!

 

[silentj]

Here are the 2 options:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...ed-railed-blemished-upper-ready-for-duty.html

http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...-16-stripped-railed-upper-ready-for-duty.html

 

[Boom Boom]

The more expensive one is 4150. It would be worth $60 extra to me, but just barely. If you plan to precision shoot a low number of rounds when you use it, save your money and get the lower-cost 4140 for $390.

 

[silentj]

Thanks for the advice Boom Boom! I was hoping someone would say that.

 

[Sticky]

The more expensive one is 4150. It would be worth $60 extra to me, but just barely. If you plan to precision shoot a low number of rounds when you use it, save your money and get the lower-cost 4140 for $390.

agreed!

 

[silentj]

Ordered! Thanks everyone!!!

 

[Pinecone]

If you want serious accuracy, go with one of the leading barrel makers. Like Liljas, Kreiger, etc.