I'm still new to ar's and with sfrc's sale on lowers I now find myself planning a build, but I don't know who makes a good ar barrel. I've tried searching cgn without much luck and what I see available in the states isn't always available here. Are Rainer any good? Is atrs worth the extra cash? I want a 16" heavy profile barrel and want the gun to be capable of 1 moa. Any help is appreciated.
Barrels?
- Thread starter nbmonte
- Start date
Rainier barrels from all the revs I've read, are solid performers and they also have a match grade barrel that comes with a sub-MOA guarantee. Daniel Defense barrels are my go-to for overall quality, durability and performance for the $ but it's not match grade. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to pickup a Rainier Ultramatch or Select series barrel.
Someone here recently built an AR using a DPMS MK12 barrel and from some reviews on AR15.c0m, is capable of sub-MOA.
The Aero precision barrels are nicely priced but have no clue as to their performance.
Someone here recently built an AR using a DPMS MK12 barrel and from some reviews on AR15.c0m, is capable of sub-MOA.
The Aero precision barrels are nicely priced but have no clue as to their performance.
Last edited:
mebiuspower
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Morontario
Most mil-spec 16" AR15 barrels with handloads/match ammo can shoot 1-1.5moa. I'm going to say the extra cost is not worth it as cost/performance ratio tapers out the more you spend on a barrel.
I'd say stick with any 16" HBAR and you'll be fine.
I recently put a Rainier Arms 16" Ultramatch on my AR and had it borescoped. It looks like it is a Shillen blank that has been reamed by Rainier, and also potentially had the barrel extension mounted by them. The barrel itself is great but the chamber is a little rough, showing some tooling marks due to dull tools or a rushed process.
That said and while it is a little early to draw conclusions I am getting about 1" groups (first 5-7 rounds) from a cold barrel then the groups open up and fliers take the group to 1.5"-2" (all at 100 yards). Now this is with 55 gn FMJ over IMR4895 which is likely not optimal for accuracy. Lots of load development still to do (62 and 68 gn bullets, Varget and CFE223 loads) and am waiting for a better scope with which I can use my PEPR mount (I suspect some parallax issues and possibly scope drift).
My results are definitely not conclusive so take them with a grain of salt.
That said and while it is a little early to draw conclusions I am getting about 1" groups (first 5-7 rounds) from a cold barrel then the groups open up and fliers take the group to 1.5"-2" (all at 100 yards). Now this is with 55 gn FMJ over IMR4895 which is likely not optimal for accuracy. Lots of load development still to do (62 and 68 gn bullets, Varget and CFE223 loads) and am waiting for a better scope with which I can use my PEPR mount (I suspect some parallax issues and possibly scope drift).
My results are definitely not conclusive so take them with a grain of salt.
I bought a Daniel Defense 14.5" carbine length gas system barrel. Incredible accuracy from a chrome lined, carbine length rifle! Although it's probably not the barrel you are looking for, they are making an 18" stainless steel barrel now that would deliver great accuracy. Wolverine Supplies would be able to give you a quote as I'm not sure how much they are going for. I will definitely be purchasing a Daniel Defense again for my next build.
