"basic" 223/5.56 16" barrel

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  • Slackdaddy

    My pronouns: Iva/Bigun
    Jan 1, 2019
    5,851
    Looking to put together a "basic" utility AR15 in 223/5.56, Maryland compliant.

    Looking for a 16" barrel, or even a 14.5" pinned.
    I do not want or need a "match grade" barrel, I have no illusions of picking off zombies at 800 yds. Just a good solid barrel that will ring 4" plates at 300 yards.
    Also a one that will "tolerate" my lack of cleaning after every shooting.
    I do not shoot a lot,, once a month, barrel may see 600 rounds a year.

    I looked at the Bear creek arsenal offerings,, but really wanted something a step or two above that. This includes all the outfits selling BCA under there own name. And I do not like that their "heavys" do not taper down after the chamber like colt, faxon, etc.

    I like the Profile of the Faxon HEAVY fluted Match grade,, but do not want/need a match grade or it's price.

    The Ballistic Advantage SPR fluted has the same profile as the Faxon, and a great price, But BA refuses to call it "heavy" or HBAR.

    Do I want S.S.,, 4150? chrome lined?
    Any ideas on a utility grade hbar barrel that is a step above BCA/CBC ?
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,738
    Socialist State of Maryland
    First of all, you don't want or need a chrome lined barrel unless you are shooting corrosive primed ammo in a damp environment. You don't need stainless steel for the same reason. Additionally, if you have never shot a stainless firearm in the day when the sun is shining, you are in for a surprise. ;)

    As for cleaning, most people clean their firearms too much and it hastens the wear and tear on them. If you run your rifle wet with Mobil 1 oil, it will carry off most of the carbon and unburned powder from your BCG, A wipe down with a silicone rag is all you will need until you get a couple thousand down the pipe.

    I'll let others suggest barrels as I find that BCA barrels are fine for shooting at paper and CQB training.
     

    Boats

    Beer, Bikes n Boomsticks
    Mar 13, 2012
    4,073
    Howeird County
    1 MOA at 300 yards is 3.14"

    USGI spec accuracy for an m4 is 4MOA.

    You want to ring 4" steel at 300, which is a little over 1 MOA accuracy

    You want a barrel you dont have to clean.


    Based on your goals, you want a match barrel, probably stainless, you just don't want to pay for it.
     
    Last edited:

    Slackdaddy

    My pronouns: Iva/Bigun
    Jan 1, 2019
    5,851
    John, Thanks for the reply.

    I have an Aero M4E lower, BCM upper receiver, and Toolcraft BCG,, I felt "bad" putting a BCA barrel on it,, but I guess I have the "important things" covered, and dont want to over spend on a utility barrel for a utility gun.

    First of all, you don't want or need a chrome lined barrel unless you are shooting corrosive primed ammo in a damp environment. You don't need stainless steel for the same reason. Additionally, if you have never shot a stainless firearm in the day when the sun is shining, you are in for a surprise. ;)

    As for cleaning, most people clean their firearms too much and it hastens the wear and tear on them. If you run your rifle wet with Mobil 1 oil, it will carry off most of the carbon and unburned powder from your BCG, A wipe down with a silicone rag is all you will need until you get a couple thousand down the pipe.

    I'll let others suggest barrels as I find that BCA barrels are fine for shooting at paper and CQB training.
     

    alucard0822

    For great Justice
    Oct 29, 2007
    17,643
    PA
    For me, BA or Faxon are the floor for a decent barrel. Usually good fit/finish/headspace. They can usually put a good match load into 1MOA if the rifle is well built, good nitride coatings that are easy to live with. Only downside is they can be a little more ammo sensitive and are made to work with a wider range of builds aka tolerences that fit a little loose. Shilen or Rainier Ultramatch aren't a ton more expensive, but tend to fit, spec, and shoot more consistently.
     

    Slackdaddy

    My pronouns: Iva/Bigun
    Jan 1, 2019
    5,851
    Yeah, I want something that works GOOD with "most" generic ammo,, NOT "Great" with select/match ammo.
    BUT, I am looking for a little better quality than BCA.
    I really like the BA 16" S.S. fluted,, but even though it is the same profile as the Faxon Heavy,, BA refuses to call their barrel heavy :(




    For me, BA or Faxon are the floor for a decent barrel. Usually good fit/finish/headspace. They can usually put a good match load into 1MOA if the rifle is well built, good nitride coatings that are easy to live with. Only downside is they can be a little more ammo sensitive and are made to work with a wider range of builds aka tolerences that fit a little loose. Shilen or Rainier Ultramatch aren't a ton more expensive, but tend to fit, spec, and shoot more consistently.
     

    SkiPatrolDude

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Oct 24, 2017
    3,332
    Timonium-Lutherville
    Ballistic Advantage or Stag Arms

    Both make excellent barrels for the price. HBARS too.

    Stag and BA are owned by the same parent company, so I speculate the barrels are made under the same roof.

    Can’t go wrong with either. I’d recommend a mid length gas system for a 16 inch barrel.

    Or up your budget and check out Criterion.

    Avoid BCA.

    Also - thread title much?!
     

    Slackdaddy

    My pronouns: Iva/Bigun
    Jan 1, 2019
    5,851
    What kills me about BA is they sell a 5.56 4150 barrel that they list as "HBAR"
    https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/16-5-56-mid-length-hbar-barrel-modern-series.html

    They also sell a 223 wylde barrel with the exact same profile that they do not call "Hbar" and will not call it an hbar :( < same weight, same dimensions.
    https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/...el-midlength-ar-15-barrel-premium-series.html

    Stag is not the type of business I would ever want do business with. (my personal opinion only)

    You lost me on the thread title comment? I know I'm slow,, but typ figure it out after 20-30 minutes :)

    Ballistic Advantage or Stag Arms

    Both make excellent barrels for the price. HBARS too.

    Stag and BA are owned by the same parent company, so I speculate the barrels are made under the same roof.

    Can’t go wrong with either. I’d recommend a mid length gas system for a 16 inch barrel.

    Or up your budget and check out Criterion.

    Avoid BCA.

    Also - thread title much?!
     
    Last edited:

    erwos

    The Hebrew Hammer
    MDS Supporter
    Mar 25, 2009
    13,866
    Rockville, MD
    Good mid-tier HBARs are hard to find. That is the simple truth. All of the ones I've sourced were second-hand, and a couple were 1:9 twist (which is not the cool-guy twist rate these days). Oddly enough, it's much easier to just buy a full rifle with one: the IWI ZION-15 is a well-regarded rifle advertised with a heavy barrel.

    ETA: JSE Surplus used to have some. They're made by Wilson (not Wilson Combat), and they're pretty decent. Maybe check there.
     

    Slackdaddy

    My pronouns: Iva/Bigun
    Jan 1, 2019
    5,851
    So I am finding out,,
    Really want a 1/8 twist, wylde chamber,,, Hate to say it but BCA is flush with them, but just can not bring myself to do it ??

    BA refuses to call their "heavy" barrels "heavy",, I have begged them on the phone.

    I may end up with the Faxon Hvy fluted match,, but afraid it will not like standard ammo?

    Good mid-tier HBARs are hard to find. That is the simple truth. All of the ones I've sourced were second-hand, and a couple were 1:9 twist (which is not the cool-guy twist rate these days). Oddly enough, it's much easier to just buy a full rifle with one: the IWI ZION-15 is a well-regarded rifle advertised with a heavy barrel.

    ETA: JSE Surplus used to have some. They're made by Wilson (not Wilson Combat), and they're pretty decent. Maybe check there.
     

    erwos

    The Hebrew Hammer
    MDS Supporter
    Mar 25, 2009
    13,866
    Rockville, MD
    The Faxon will be fine with "standard ammo".

    I'm not sure why you'd ever buy from BCA if you thought Stag had bad business practices. The Stag 3G barrel is pretty good if you can get past that.
     

    omegared24

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 23, 2011
    4,747
    Ijamsville, MD
    I just gave my son a Warsport, 4150, 1:8 twist, mid length, 16 inch HBAR marked nitride barrel. He wants to get an upper built for the range and shooting at his friends farm. They have been damn accurate so far. They've been out of business for a while though.

    I've been keeping an eye out but so far all I've found is what has been mentioned in this thread. Shark Arms does have Colt SOCOM barrel assemblies and they'll P/W it for you. That's been pretty accurate for me as well. Chop the FSB and free float the barrel. That would be a nice set up.
     

    SkiPatrolDude

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Oct 24, 2017
    3,332
    Timonium-Lutherville
    The Stag you know is not the Stag of today.

    I’d give them a second look.

    Even so, their older guns are solid.

    Also, I obviously get what the thread is about, but I was commenting on how your title sucks. It could be a bit more informative. I ended up here more or less because I was bored and clicking through new threads.
     

    Slackdaddy

    My pronouns: Iva/Bigun
    Jan 1, 2019
    5,851
    Thanks,
    I'll probably go with the Faxon from AT3 for $255
    I had assumed a "match barrel" wanted "match ammo"
    I just want a basic utility AR that I am not embarrassed to list the components :)
    I pretty much beat this horse to death :)

    https://www.at3tactical.com/product...wylde-416r-5r-nitride-nickel-teflon-extension


    The Faxon will be fine with "standard ammo".

    I'm not sure why you'd ever buy from BCA if you thought Stag had bad business practices. The Stag 3G barrel is pretty good if you can get past that.
     

    308Scout

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Mar 27, 2020
    6,546
    Washington County
    The Stag you know is not the Stag of today.

    I’d give them a second look.

    Even so, their older guns are solid.

    Also, I obviously get what the thread is about, but I was commenting on how your title sucks. It could be a bit more informative. I ended up here more or less because I was bored and clicking through new threads.

    I thought the same re: the thread title, until I realized the title was actually more than "basic"..." as it shows up in the main feed.
     

    Slackdaddy

    My pronouns: Iva/Bigun
    Jan 1, 2019
    5,851
    Well, I am glad you chimed in,, you made me look again at BA,, they have some barrels I did not see before.

    Whats your thoughts on the Faxon match heavy fluted S.S. Barrel? will it run into accuracy issues running bulk 5.56 through it?

    Writing composition is not my strong point. :sad20:


    The Stag you know is not the Stag of today.

    I’d give them a second look.

    Even so, their older guns are solid.

    Also, I obviously get what the thread is about, but I was commenting on how your title sucks. It could be a bit more informative. I ended up here more or less because I was bored and clicking through new threads.
     

    Boats

    Beer, Bikes n Boomsticks
    Mar 13, 2012
    4,073
    Howeird County
    Well, I am glad you chimed in,, you made me look again at BA,, they have some barrels I did not see before.

    Whats your thoughts on the Faxon match heavy fluted S.S. Barrel? will it run into accuracy issues running bulk 5.56 through it?

    Writing composition is not my strong point. :sad20:

    Ive used that barrel (except mine is carbon not SS) No issues with bulk 5.56
     

    camo556

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 29, 2021
    2,634
    I may end up with the Faxon Hvy fluted match,, but afraid it will not like standard ammo?

    Faxon barrels are fine with "standard" ammo. In fact I run steel and get surprisingly good results. Bear in mind there is a lot more than the barrel involved, like your finger, a good trigger, and a good scope.

    You are basically asking for 1moa rifle (4" at 300 yards), which not a "basic" loadout.

    edit: just to be clear you are not getting 1 moa from any barrel with bulk 556. Maybe pre pandemic you could find some cheap 223/556, my Faxon happened to like some cheap 62gr factory loads, but post Wu Flu its unlikely. I'd guess you'll get 1.5-2 moa with bulk steel.
     

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