Recommendations on a decent AR 15 barrel

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Redmaple

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Newfoundland
Recently, bought an NEA 14.5" M4 style barrel as part of a parts package. The barrel is little more than a bullet hose. 7" groups at 100m using a good optic and serviceable ammo. Disappointed.

I need a new barrel (14.5" M4 style). What's out there here in Canada? Looking for 1.5 or better groups at 100m.
 
What do you consider serviceable ammo?
Match grade or bulk 55's? Commercial or handloads?

I've gotten .587" best group out of my rainier arms ultra Match 18" with handloaded 77gr pills but again, that depends on a lot of variables.
I've never measured myself, but I believe my BCM 16" barrel has grouped close to that using bulk AE 55gr.

Then again, with 7" groups I'd say just about anything from a reputable manufacturer will do better than that.
 
FoxAlpha said:
What do you consider serviceable ammo?
Match grade or bulk 55's? Commercial or handloads?

I've gotten .587" best group out of my rainier arms ultra Match 18" with handloaded 77gr pills but again, that depends on a lot of variables.
I've never measured myself, but I believe my BCM 16" barrel has grouped close to that using bulk AE 55gr.

Then again, with 7" groups I'd say just about anything from a reputable manufacturer will do better than that.
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I was using Remington .223 55g, and Federal .223 55g. Nothing special but still good quality ammo that should yield consistent groups. I also used cheap steel case ammo. The accuracy was no different.

It is my understanding from the experience of others at the local range that an entry level AR with a decent optic from a bench should produce consistent 3.5" groups or better at 100m using readily available plinking loads.
 
Redmaple said:
I was using Remington .223 55g, and Federal .223 55g. Nothing special but still good quality ammo that should yield consistent groups. I also used cheap steel case ammo. The accuracy was no different.

It is my understanding from the experience of others at the local range that an entry level AR with a decent optic from a bench should produce consistent 3.5" groups or better at 100m using readily available plinking loads.
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What kind of optic were you using and were you shooting off a bench, bi pod, bags, off hand etc? Lots of variables to consider outside of a barrel.
 
Wow. Sounds like an expensive fix - buy a $400 plus barrel to get your accuracy to (hopefully!) sub 1.5MOA.

OP - NEA barrels were considered (usually) one of the better pieces of their guns. How sure are you that there's not another reason for your sloppy AR?

High end barrels will probably come in a twist rate designed to perform best with higher bullet weights than 55gr. Not saying they won't work well with 55gr but they are usually 'optimized' for 69-77gr bullet weights.

There are often 1/9 twist good Colt barrels that come up in the EE (though after buying one barrel through the EE i can see if you might be shy of going that route). If you don't want to trouble shoot your NEA barrel (no mention of this in your post) i'd suggest this route.
 
I picked up a True north arms 14.5" blk nitride barrel. It's been great for me. Shooting my bulk produced 223 ammo using campros and cfe223 I can easily keep it under 3moa at 100yds. I guessed it comes down to what you want it for. Also price comes into play. The TNA barrel was like 180 bucks. The maple ridge armory barrels look good but are all over 300.00.
 
Redmaple said:
Recently, bought an NEA 14.5" M4 style barrel as part of a parts package. The barrel is little more than a bullet hose. 7" groups at 100m using a good optic and serviceable ammo. Disappointed.

I need a new barrel (14.5" M4 style). What's out there here in Canada? Looking for 1.5 or better groups at 100m.
Click to expand...

You may laugh, but I bought a $100.00 Dominion barrel from Canada Ammo. 20" light profile; 1:12. It shoots tight groups (have not shot it a lot but 1 1/2 -2" at 100) but I'm sure as it breaks in, and I get used to the rifle, and maybe try some different ammo other than American Eagle bulk; it will get better.
 
Meroh said:
You may laugh, but I bought a $100.00 Dominion barrel from Canada Ammo. 20" light profile; 1:12. It shoots tight groups (have not shot it a lot but 1 1/2 -2" at 100) but I'm sure as it breaks in, and I get used to the rifle, and maybe try some different ammo other than American Eagle bulk; it will get better.
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I'm not laughing. Most barrels these days are very good. Even a relatively inexpensive AR seems capable of sub 3" groups at 100m. My NEA barrel seems to be a problem, unfortunately.
 
I was shooting from a bench with a front bi-pod. The scope was a vortex brand that shoots consistent 3.5" groups at 200m using my .308.

It may be the barrel nut. I'll check the torque once the barrel spline tool I ordered arrives. But I doubt that is the problem.

84wh1 said:
What kind of optic were you using and were you shooting off a bench, bi pod, bags, off hand etc? Lots of variables to consider outside of a barrel.
Click to expand...
 
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TheM4chef said:
I picked up a True north arms 14.5" blk nitride barrel. It's been great for me. Shooting my bulk produced 223 ammo using campros and cfe223 I can easily keep it under 3moa at 100yds. I guessed it comes down to what you want it for. Also price comes into play. The TNA barrel was like 180 bucks. The maple ridge armory barrels look good but are all over 300.00.
Click to expand...

I may try one of those. But it seems like the Ballistic Advantage barrels are available for $225 which isn't bad for a barrel that gets good reviews. Everyone is out of stock right now. They should be available within a month or so.
 
BioPace said:
Wow. Sounds like an expensive fix - buy a $400 plus barrel to get your accuracy to (hopefully!) sub 1.5MOA.

OP - NEA barrels were considered (usually) one of the better pieces of their guns. How sure are you that there's not another reason for your sloppy AR?

High end barrels will probably come in a twist rate designed to perform best with higher bullet weights than 55gr. Not saying they won't work well with 55gr but they are usually 'optimized' for 69-77gr bullet weights.

There are often 1/9 twist good Colt barrels that come up in the EE (though after buying one barrel through the EE i can see if you might be shy of going that route). If you don't want to trouble shoot your NEA barrel (no mention of this in your post) i'd suggest this route.
Click to expand...

The Ballistic Advantage barrels seem reasonably priced.

I will re-torquing the barrel nut once I receive a barrel spline tool. If that doesn't work, I'd rather get a new barrel.

I am hesitant of buying parts on EE. Too often people sell things that don't function.

The parts I bought on impulse while I was buying a stripped AR lower was a collection of random junk. The free float handrail had a bolt hole stripped out. One of the magazines didn't function. The return piston was the wrong size for the return tube. And, of course, the barrel is questionable. It may be the upper receiver that is out of spec yet.

Live and learn...
 
DILLIGAF said:
Maple Ridge.
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I may well buy one of these. The Maple Ridge Armoury 14.5″ 5R Guardian Series Barrel is very impressive. It costs $379 shipping and taxes included. Other barrels come in at about $275 (all in). For an extra $100 you get a premium Canadian made barrel.

Building these ARs is addictive!!
 
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