Advice on a barrel for Stag 10 build

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YellowSnow15

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Hi all,

Just ordered the stag 10 receiver set and have been looking at barrels (in .308) all day. If money weren't an option I would definitely go for a BSF or Criterion barrel. I am looking for a barrel in the <$500 range and have come up with some options. I would like to use the gun for hunting and occasional range days. Not too big into precision shooting and long range (400/500 yards+). But I would always like to have the option to stretch its legs out and shoot at 200/300 yards. So far i've come up with:

- IBI 19" Standard Profile
- Faxon 20" Pencil
- Maple Ridge Armoury Match or the Pencil version

I have seen mixed reviews on Faxon barrels so im a bit of a skeptic now. Would appreciate thoughts and suggestions on the 3 barrels and am definitely looking for other barrel suggestions, around the same price range as the other 3.
 
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Not quite apples to apples comparison, but I purchased the IBI DMR profile 6.5 CM barrel for my Stag. I can tell you first hand, that it is an excellent product (probably worth more than what they charge). On the stag 10 build/pics thread I posted some pictures of some groups I shot with factory ammo. Basically the barrel is capable of sub half MOA groups at least.

I built my Stag as a precision gun so I wasn't worried to much about weight, but my stag weighs around 13-14lbs with a harris bipod, a2 fixed stock, and a vortex gen ii 3-15 scope. I would imagine that the standard profile would cut the weight down significantly.

Another nice thing about the IBI is that they use a regular rifle length gas tube. They are also made in Canada, which I will also try to support when I can.

I think you would be hard pressed to beat the IBI for the price and quality. Its an excellent product. Ill probably buy another one when I shoot out this barrel.

Hope this helps!
 
I've bad a bad experience with Faxon in the accuracy department, and I'm definitely not the only one. My Big Gunner was a 2 MOA barrel, and that was for stuff it liked. 3 to 4 MOA for stuff it didn't. It's a shame because the barrel's fit and finish was otherwise perfect.

About weight. The original Stag barrel was 3 lbs 3 oz and the Faxon was 2 lbs 3 oz. So the weight was nice. Did I mention the vertical stringing during shot strings? Yeah it did that too. I've even read about BSF barrels stringing if not allowed to cool down. This is why I don't think pencil barrels are worth it. You'll save a pound sure, but you might compromise the rifle's performance.

On a side note, the complete scoped build with the Faxon barrel was 10.5 lbs. That's not exactly lightweight. So with a pencil barrel you have a 10.5 lbs rifle that's not capable of sustained firing, and I'm not talking mag dumps, I'm talking 5 shots in 30 seconds. Get a regular barrel in there and you'll have a fully capable rifle at about 11.5 lbs scoped.

As for myself, I bit the bullet and have a Criterion barrel on the way, 2.9 lbs. In the choices you mentioned, I would go with IBI in their regular profile, also 2.9 lbs.
 
My votes is for MRA. Im a new shooter with limited experience, but I just built a Stag 10 in 6.5 Creedmoor. I ordered an MRA 20” black nitrate barrel and on my first breakin trip to the range yesterday I threw down a 1/2” group at 100M with Hornady American Gunner. Above that, MRA was amazing to deal with. They even called me to explain the installation process. Talked with them for 10 minutes. These guys care, a lot. I can’t imagine spending my money else where after the lengths these guys went to helping me with my selection and support. Top shelf. MRA gets my vote.
 
If you want to hunt with your Stag 10 defiantly go with a lite weight pencil barrel. I have a MRA 18.5'' stainless pencil barrel on my Stag 10 and it shoots MOA 3 shot groups with cheap soft point ammo.
 
IBI. You will not be disappointed on the performance and they were throwing in a brake with their guns when i bought mine. Its made in my home town by Ryan Steacy the 5 time service rifle champ in Canada. He knows a thing or two about guns and gives great service.
 
Another vote for IBI
I have a couple of their barrels with another on the way if that tells you anything.
I have a 19" IBI standard profile 308 barrel on my Stag and it weighs in at 8.5 lbs with a Luth AR stock and 17.5" Odin O2 lite handguard.
 
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I'd go with IBI as well. I have a 19" IBI standard profile for my Stag 10 and I shot this group. I'm not a great shot but the barrels from IBI are pretty capable of getting tight groups using factory ammo.

Stag 10 - IBI Barrel.jpg
 

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A follow up question: what’s the real difference between MRA and IBI, especially since IBI supplies blanks to MRA. Price wise they are identical. 20” MRA Match barrel same price as the 19” standard profile barrel from IBI.
 
MRA flutes and applies surface finish to the barrels whereas IBI will only contour the barrel to the desired profile. MRA does use IBI blanks. There's debate as to whether or not fluting a barrel, although reducing weight, will have an adverse effect on accuracy, especially when the barrel heats up. In the end I'm sure all are excellent barrels, you just have to pick which features are more important to you.
 
YellowSnow15 said:
A follow up question: what’s the real difference between MRA and IBI, especially since IBI supplies blanks to MRA. Price wise they are identical. 20” MRA Match barrel same price as the 19” standard profile barrel from IBI.
Click to expand...

MRA uses IBI blanks on certain barrels, not all.
Flutes may or may not affect accuracy once heated, depending on relief.
Nitriding may or may not affect accuracy, but should be durable to the elements and possibly higher round counts.
 
I bought a shilen SS select match for mine. I have only completed a OCW test with a chrono graph so I haven't officially shot for groups with it but what appears on paper at 200m look promising.

However the indexing of the gas port and extension is very off. The gas block is properly aligned with the hole. The rifle is leveled in the picture. I feel like for the price of these custom options they should be better than this. Luckily the function of it seems fine so far.

x71Rqyc.png
 
scourge18a said:
Another vote for IBI
I have a couple of their barrels with another on the way if that tells you anything.
I have a 19" IBI standard profile 308 barrel on my Stag and it weighs in at 8.5 lbs with a Luth AR stock and 17.5" Odin O2 lite handguard.
Click to expand...


which gas tube did you buy? I know True North Arms carries the proper tube but theres different sizes and im not sure which to pick to fit the standard profile barrel. Which size option do I choose?

https://truenortharms.com/ar15_default_store_view/gas-tubes-for-ar-15-ar-10-stainless.html
 
Hutchy said:
I bought a shilen SS select match for mine. I have only completed a OCW test with a chrono graph so I haven't officially shot for groups with it but what appears on paper at 200m look promising.

However the indexing of the gas port and extension is very off. The gas block is properly aligned with the hole. The rifle is leveled in the picture. I feel like for the price of these custom options they should be better than this. Luckily the function of it seems fine so far.

x71Rqyc.png
Click to expand...

I would send that back for a replacement personally. Not sure what was happening at Shilen that Friday but, that's not right.
 
Ibi. Was ringing the small steel Target at 500 today as fast as I could pull the trigger...excellent barrels.
 
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