Hello all, looking for some experienced input on light vs heavy barrels for my keymod XCR. I bought the 6.8SPC and want to buy a 7.62x39 exchange kit for some cheap plinking, 3-gun etc instead of using my AR all the time. Or likely ever...... after I do this but we'll see. Will the light bbl heat up too much? I know the heavy is well, heavier but I'm not a noodle either, I eat my wheaties and spinach. I'm not talking about mag dumps but I don't want something that's accuracy goes out the window with this kind of shooting. Need all the help I can get if you've seen me shoot..... Input is appreciated. Thanks
XCR-L 7.62x39 light bbl vs. heavy bbl
- Thread starter Klemmy31
- Start date
Soyoman1980
Regular
- Location
- Cold Lake, AB
I have the heavy, it'll give you longer barrel life and less downtime due to heat at a cost of being heavier than your AR. Now if you're looking to use it in competition, go for the light barrel, you'll be moving from target to target quickly and the weight does make the difference. Noodle-arm or not, it gets heavy after a while.
As for accuracy, it's comparable to your average AR despite what some will tell you. 2-3 inches at 100 yards out of what was designed to be a combat rifle is more than sufficient, in most situations you're going for center of mass, not the head.
However, in it's 5.56mm config my XCR will ring 12" steel out to 300+ meters with a good 3x or 1-4x optic (I run a Vortex Spitfire 3x and a Burris M-TAC 1-4x) consistently. I don't plan to use it as a sniper rifle so I can't tell you how it will shoot with higher power optics. But there are plenty of youtube videos out there that can. Suffice to say, it is an accurate rifle in the right hands.
As for accuracy, it's comparable to your average AR despite what some will tell you. 2-3 inches at 100 yards out of what was designed to be a combat rifle is more than sufficient, in most situations you're going for center of mass, not the head.
However, in it's 5.56mm config my XCR will ring 12" steel out to 300+ meters with a good 3x or 1-4x optic (I run a Vortex Spitfire 3x and a Burris M-TAC 1-4x) consistently. I don't plan to use it as a sniper rifle so I can't tell you how it will shoot with higher power optics. But there are plenty of youtube videos out there that can. Suffice to say, it is an accurate rifle in the right hands.
Thanks Soyoman, appreciate the reply. I'm not worried about it being sub-moa, I know it's not and don't expect it to be. Just want something that is useful in a configuration other than as my 6.8spc that I have and will use for hunting in the fall. My AR is a 11.5 heavy bbl tank as well so i'm used to heavy..... It does get heavy but I do not notice it in 3-gun.
It actually doesn't make sense on an xcr. Point of impact will start to wander regardless of barrel size.
The Mickey mouse barrel retention system is shifting long before heat reveals any stresses in the barrel steel. Reports are around 4 moa for the light barrel, and three moa for the heavy.
The Mickey mouse barrel retention system is shifting long before heat reveals any stresses in the barrel steel. Reports are around 4 moa for the light barrel, and three moa for the heavy.
^which one do you have?
Or did you borrow one?
3rd hand info doesn't account for a whole lot, and I fail to see how barrel retention factors into stringing of shots due to barrel heat-up.
We're talking about the difference in performance between the two barrels, not your dislike for the design of the platform.
Or did you borrow one?
3rd hand info doesn't account for a whole lot, and I fail to see how barrel retention factors into stringing of shots due to barrel heat-up.
We're talking about the difference in performance between the two barrels, not your dislike for the design of the platform.
If the barrel retrntion screw is properly torqued you wont have an issue. The same people that have issues prolly crank their scope rings down so tight they crush the tube lol
I can only comment on the heavy bbl which i own. I have noticed no drawbacks due to it and dont mind the weight at all. I enjoy the odd mag dump so it was logical to go heavy. I have no plans to ever get rid of this rifle so bbl longevity was a consideration.
