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Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 188
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 188 |
I’m fairly new to AR’s. I’ve built a couple for other people, but done so on the cheap. Now I’m in the process of assembling parts to build one for myself. I want it to be good quality, but I’m not looking to spend top dollar; just good quality for a good value. I’m unsure of which brand of barrel I should buy. I’m considering Ballistic Advantage, but will spend more for a Faxon or even Odin if they are so noticeably better. Thanks in advance. It will be 16 inches and chambered in either 556 or 223 Wylde.
Here are the parts I have so far:
AERO upper and lower Aero lower parts kit Larue trigger Colt carbine buffet tube assembly Magpul CTR stock and grip Toolcraft BCG BCM Gunfighter charging handle
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026 |
Sounds like a good list so far. I'd look at criterion, wilson combat, and even windham weaponry. I've shot with some guys that use ballistic advantage and they seem to be reliable and fairly accurate/consistent shooters. I've also shot with some guys that have been using bison armory barrels with good success. The main problem right now is finding barrels, but they are out there if you search hard enough. Also, are you looking for chrome lined, stainless or does it matter?
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,680
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,680 |
I haven't tried one myself, but Daniel Defense seems to generally be well thought of, and their chrome lined 16" 5.56 is in stock at midway, if that kind of barrel is what you're looking for. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2684573824?pid=990444
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,955
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,955 |
Of the three you mentioned, by preference would be Odin, BA, Faxon.
I have one SS Odin barrel and it holds MOA with 5 shot groups. Buddy has a Faxon and it's more of an 1.5 MOA barrel. Keep in mind this is just two samples of one.
BA's owned by Aero, so it's considered a mid-tier value product. Several of the local builders use them receive few complains for the "normal" non-loonies like ourselves.
My goto is Criterion, but like everything else right now, they are in short supply.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
You cannot over estimate the unimportance of nearly everything. John Maxwell
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026 |
Of the three you mentioned, by preference would be Odin, BA, Faxon.
I have one SS Odin barrel and it holds MOA with 5 shot groups. Buddy has a Faxon and it's more of an 1.5 MOA barrel. Keep in mind this is just two samples of one.
BA's owned by Aero, so it's considered a mid-tier value product. Several of the local builders use them receive few complains for the "normal" non-loonies like ourselves.
My goto is Criterion, but like everything else right now, they are in short supply. AS, I'm curious when you say your buddies barrel is "1.5 moa", how many shots in the group? I have an 18" barrel that shoots 1.5 moa for 10 shots consistently with all sorts of ammo I've tried. I don't like 18" barrels and am to the point I will give the barrel away to someone that doesn't mind that type of accuracy.. If you are talking 3 shot groups, the barrel I mentioned has shot numerous sub moa groups, but I don't count 3 shot groups in an AR15 platform as much of anything. Thanks...
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,059
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,059 |
I put together an 16" mid-gas upper using a BA 'modern series' barrel. No complaints, I'd buy BA again. 100 yards, M855 equivalent from PMC.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,628
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,628 |
In today's climate, if you can find a reasonably decent barrel in stock at a reasonable price, you'd better buy it....................today. And it's not going to get better. Especially if you're just looking for a general, all purpose rifle..............obviously, if it's a LPR type build, that's a little different, but you are not. This is a very, very good barrel, nitrided by the best in the business, available & at a reasonable price, & is better than anything form most other mid-range suppliers; it's a little short of being a Criterion, but it's available. Not many know that CMC is making AR barrels. But, you'll need a different gas tube. MM CMC Barrel
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,955
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,955 |
Of the three you mentioned, by preference would be Odin, BA, Faxon.
I have one SS Odin barrel and it holds MOA with 5 shot groups. Buddy has a Faxon and it's more of an 1.5 MOA barrel. Keep in mind this is just two samples of one.
BA's owned by Aero, so it's considered a mid-tier value product. Several of the local builders use them receive few complains for the "normal" non-loonies like ourselves.
My goto is Criterion, but like everything else right now, they are in short supply. AS, I'm curious when you say your buddies barrel is "1.5 moa", how many shots in the group? I have an 18" barrel that shoots 1.5 moa for 10 shots consistently with all sorts of ammo I've tried. I don't like 18" barrels and am to the point I will give the barrel away to someone that doesn't mind that type of accuracy.. If you are talking 3 shot groups, the barrel I mentioned has shot numerous sub moa groups, but I don't count 3 shot groups in an AR15 platform as much of anything. Thanks... Good catch, I should of clarified. Those were with 5 shot groups. My typical standard of measurement is two consecutive 5 shot groups. Statistically, it gives you the most data with the least shooting. For the barrel in question, with 10 shot groups I'd expect it to turn in something in the 1 3/4 to 2 MOA range.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
You cannot over estimate the unimportance of nearly everything. John Maxwell
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,955
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,955 |
In today's climate, if you can find a reasonably decent barrel in stock at a reasonable price, you'd better buy it....................today. And it's not going to get better. Especially if you're just looking for a general, all purpose rifle..............obviously, if it's a LPR type build, that's a little different, but you are not. This is a very, very good barrel, nitrided by the best in the business, available & at a reasonable price, & is better than anything form most other mid-range suppliers; it's a little short of being a Criterion, but it's available. Not many know that CMC is making AR barrels. But, you'll need a different gas tube. MM CMC BarrelDoc, MM knows his barrels. I would not hesitate to take his advise.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
You cannot over estimate the unimportance of nearly everything. John Maxwell
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Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 188
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 188 |
Thanks for the recommendations. Does the Wylde chamber there a real world advantage over the standard 556?
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,163
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,163 |
Wylde handles the pressure of 5.56 but is more accurate with match ammo than the NATO chamber. As a rule...
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026 |
Of the three you mentioned, by preference would be Odin, BA, Faxon.
I have one SS Odin barrel and it holds MOA with 5 shot groups. Buddy has a Faxon and it's more of an 1.5 MOA barrel. Keep in mind this is just two samples of one.
BA's owned by Aero, so it's considered a mid-tier value product. Several of the local builders use them receive few complains for the "normal" non-loonies like ourselves.
My goto is Criterion, but like everything else right now, they are in short supply. AS, I'm curious when you say your buddies barrel is "1.5 moa", how many shots in the group? I have an 18" barrel that shoots 1.5 moa for 10 shots consistently with all sorts of ammo I've tried. I don't like 18" barrels and am to the point I will give the barrel away to someone that doesn't mind that type of accuracy.. If you are talking 3 shot groups, the barrel I mentioned has shot numerous sub moa groups, but I don't count 3 shot groups in an AR15 platform as much of anything. Thanks... Good catch, I should of clarified. Those were with 5 shot groups. My typical standard of measurement is two consecutive 5 shot groups. Statistically, it gives you the most data with the least shooting. For the barrel in question, with 10 shot groups I'd expect it to turn in something in the 1 3/4 to 2 MOA range. Thanks for answering that. Good info.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 188
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 188 |
I tried buying a couple of different barrels today, but they sold out between the time I added them my cart and tried to check out. I eventually bought a Daniel Defense. Thanks for all the pointers.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,955
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,955 |
I tried buying a couple of different barrels today, but they sold out between the time I added them my cart and tried to check out. I eventually bought a Daniel Defense. Thanks for all the pointers. A DD barrel will serve you well. IME they are very consistent, shooting 1 1/4 to 1 1/5 MOA on 5 shot groups. They have a no BS warrenty, but it's unlikely you will ever need it.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
You cannot over estimate the unimportance of nearly everything. John Maxwell
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Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 188
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 188 |
I tried buying a couple of different barrels today, but they sold out between the time I added them my cart and tried to check out. I eventually bought a Daniel Defense. Thanks for all the pointers. A DD barrel will serve you well. IME they are very consistent, shooting 1 1/4 to 1 1/5 MOA on 5 shot groups. They have a no BS warrenty, but it's unlikely you will ever need it. Good to know about their warranty. Thanks
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,628
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,628 |
DD barrels are good, & DD is a good, solid company.
Not the absolute most accurate, but more than good enough & consistent.
I doubt that you will be unhappy.
MM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,626
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 44,230
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2013
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I put together an 16" mid-gas upper using a BA 'modern series' barrel. No complaints, I'd buy BA again. 100 yards, M855 equivalent from PMC. Absolutely nothing wrong with that with M855.
Slaves get what they need. Free men get what they want. Rehabilitation is way overrated. Orwell wasn't wrong. GOA member disappointed NRA member 24HCF SEARCH
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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A bit late since the OP has already made a purchase but my fav's are Krieger(a bit spendy) White Oak and X-Caliber
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026 |
A bit late since the OP has already made a purchase but my fav's are Krieger(a bit spendy) White Oak and X-Caliber Maybe you missed this part: I want it to be good quality, but I’m not looking to spend top dollar; just good quality for a good value. I’m unsure of which brand of barrel I should buy. I’m considering Ballistic Advantage, but will spend more for a Faxon or even Odin if they are so noticeably better. Thanks in advance.
Had it been any barrel on the face of the earth at any price, that you can buy right now, I would have just suggested the Shilen on gunbroker for $4xx.xx. And then I would have disregarded his 16" requirement and told him he needs to just buy a 20", but I don't think that's what he wants either...
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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