AR15 Barrel Choice

Novemberx

Novemberx

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Hey guys, I'm building my first AR15, I'm thinking of getting an 18" barrel. But I don't know which one to get.
My budget is <$300, and the 2 choices I have found are:

NEA barrels, 4140 cmv, 1/7" twist, 5.56 chambered, medium profile, 0.750 gas block diameter $190
Faxon barrels, 4150 cmv, 1/8" twist, also 5.56 chambered, light profile, 0.625 gas block diameter $280

However from what I found online it seems Faxon barrel are not as accurate.

Which one should I go with? What do you guys think? Also if you have good suggestions I would love to hear.
 
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NEA is at the bottom of my list of products ill ever purchase. There's a plethora of information on here regarding the woes of North Eastern Arms. Although there are plenty of people who will say other wise as well.

I've heard good things about faxon barrels from the guys at tier one armory and I trust their opinions more than most, but I have no first hand comments on them.

What's your intended purpose for this rifle? Accurate shooting at a distance? 3 gun? Firing off bursts while your girlfriend makes a video of you to share with your 15 followers on instagram (this is a thing)?

I always recommend people to never cheap out on 3 critical parts, the barrel, the bolt, and the trigger.
Of the two you listed, I would highly recommend the Faxon. If I was ever to build another rifle I would probably go with a Faxon just to try them out.
 
The only bbl I can think already availiable in Canada is the Rainier Arms from CTCsupplies. Bought the RA Ultra Match 18"
 
ffgats said:
The only bbl I can think already availiable in Canada is the Rainier Arms from CTCsupplies. Bought the RA Ultra Match 18"
Click to expand...

Mixed reviews on the Rainier barrels from what I've read.

I was thinking about trying a 16" but ultimately decided to wait
 
I've tried a number of builds using NEA barrels and have been pleasantly surprised. Not sure I'd use their bolts but their barrels seem like very good value.
 
Pr589 said:
I've tried a number of builds using NEA barrels and have been pleasantly surprised. Not sure I'd use their bolts but their barrels seem like very good value.
Click to expand...

Ditto. I had a 300BLK and a 5.56 barrels. I had to run a number of patches etc to clean the factory grease/oils etc from the bore (they were pretty dirty) but they were surprisingly good shooters.
 
Onagoth said:
Mixed reviews on the Rainier barrels from what I've read.

I was thinking about trying a 16" but ultimately decided to wait
Click to expand...

I know, mixed review out there, well at least they offer sub moa guarantee on their bbls. Hope mine will shoot as advertised
 
ffgats said:
I know, mixed review out there, well at least they offer sub moa guarantee on their bbls. Hope mine will shoot as advertised
Click to expand...

I have been thinking about a Rainer Arms, as the Ultra Match barrels are made from Shilen Barrel blanks. Cant say I have heard anything bad about Shilen.
 
NEA makes pretty decent barrels. Their earlier barrels had issues with oversized gas ports but as far as I know those issues have been corrected. NEA barrels are button rifled and typically produce good accuracy, and they are nitrided which in my opinion is a better surface treatment than a lot of manufacturers use.
I had a Rainier Arms 16 inch ultra match in my AR-10 and it shot most ammo very well and produced sub moa from a couple handloads.

Depending on the style of shooting that is intended I would probably go with a 14.5-16 inch as they still provide decent velocity while keeping the rifle a little more compact, if it's just a long range build or a bench shooter then any length you like is fine. Just don't go with an 18 inch thinking that longer translates into increased accuracy. I have AR's with 12 inch barrels that will shoot sub moa with handloads but I sacrifice a little velocity making me have to dial up more for longer shots. My AR's don't get used beyond 300yds so it makes little difference for my shooting.

If you're doing a budget build I would suggest an ALG enhanced nickel boron coated single stage trigger. I put one in one of my builds and am very impressed for a trigger that cost me under $100. I also have an ALG forend on my 9mm AR and it's a really nice forend for a great price.

Good luck and be sure to post pics when you're done :)
 
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