AR Barrel Questions

[ShooT_SpoTs]

Starting a New AR build. Uncertain on which barrel to get, need advice... Thinking going for a midrange target type rifle (5.56) - 18-20" barrel.
This is what I have/decided on so far:
Black Rain Ordnance Billet Lower (Fallout15)
Black Rain Ordnance billet upper
Seekins SAR 12" handguard
Magpul UBR stock

While writing this I see McGowen precision barrel advertisement ... checked them out but they only have 16" barrel ... any experience with them?

 

[Sugarbug]

Define "midrange."

 

[ShooT_SpoTs]

500 yardish ....

 

[Sugarbug]

I'm just getting into this realm, so am not a good person to talk to. PM Mickey or Ritten.

If you're building a dedicated 500+ yard rifle, you may want to decide on a different caliber.

Snipershide and accurateshooter.com are good sources as well.

 

[sportsbud]

look into 6.8spc great, 600 yard round, and in states that restrict calibers for deer, it can still be used...

 

[BKliebert]

If you going with the 223/5.56 you will want 24 to 26" of barrel with a 1in7 or 1in8 twist to shoot the 77-82 grain bullets, a 55 or 62 will NEVER make it that far and be on your target.

If something other than a 22 I would go with the 6mmHagar but you will have to reload.

The 6.8 at 600 yards? Yea right

Buck

 

[RStewart]

If you going with the 223/5.56 you will want 24 to 26" of barrel with a 1in7 or 1in8 twist to shoot the 77-82 grain bullets, a 55 or 62 will NEVER make it that far and be on your target.

If something other than a 22 I would go with the 6mmHagar but you will have to reload.

The 6.8 at 600 yards? Yea right

Buck

I would follow Buck's advice. He knows his stuff about AR's.

 

[Sugarbug]

If you going with the 223/5.56 you will want 24 to 26" of barrel with a 1in7 or 1in8 twist to shoot the 77-82 grain bullets, a 55 or 62 will NEVER make it that far and be on your target.

If something other than a 22 I would go with the 6mmHagar but you will have to reload.

The 6.8 at 600 yards? Yea right

Buck

I'm going to be making an attempt with the 82gr Bergers.

 

[RStewart]

I'm going to be making an attempt with the 82gr Bergers.

I believe a lot of service rifle shooters are using them now. And I believe they can be loaded mag length. Buck- did I get that right?

 

[Akajun]

Yep you can Rick , Dan did it for a whole, the Pennsylvania junior team did it as well. Listen to buck

 

[Sugarbug]

Junior team... I hate my high school for not having a shooting team. Then again, Guam isn't even 100y long so it wouldn't work anyways.

 

[RStewart]

Then again, Guam isn't even 100y long so it wouldn't work anyways.

I heard if you put too many people on it, it will flip over. At least that's what a Congressman said!

 

[Sugarbug]

I heard if you put too many people on it, it will flip over. At least that's what a Congressman said!

Yes that made quite a stir, lol. Luckily, we've put the Chamorros on a strict diet to lessen the likelihood of a catastrophic capsizing.

 

[kengel2]

I have some cousins in Guam, both were in the Air Force. Got out and never came back, they were from middle of no where Nebraska so I dont blame them one bit.

 

[Ritten]

look into 6.8spc great, 600 yard round, and in states that restrict calibers for deer, it can still be used...

Man....I needed that laugh!

 

[sportsbud]

Man....I needed that laugh!

Yea yea you caught me when I was just waking up.... couldnt think straight... On the other hand I used to have a RRA Varmit .223 upper with a 24" SS Bull barrel, man that shot great!! had a 1 in 8 twist(not the best), but the good ammo was pretty much one hole at 100 yards, it eve made Tula shoot at MOA!!!! I miss that gun, when in WA I would shoot it at a shovel at 600 yards, and hit it damn near every-time(never got to group it out there public land so I couldn't drive out there), it was soo much fun... But I had to sell it to fund my move down here man I miss that gun!!!) here it is with a cheap ass scope!!! man I want it back

 

[BKliebert]

Yes Rick you are correct!

I did minimal testing with the 82 Berger at magazine length at 600 in a 26" AR upper it was ok.

Akajun is also correct, the Pennsylvania team shot thousands at mag length with great success.

Personally I still prefer the the 80 Berger VLD in my service gun and bolt rifle, NOT at mag length. I recently tried the new 80.5 Berger in the infamous bolt gun that my daughter used but couldn't equal the same gain as I did over the Sierra 80. I plan on giving the 80.5 another look in the service gun now that I have a new barrel on it.

Honestly you really give up quite a bit with the 223 at 600 yards I know it looks equal on paper compared to the 308 with 155's but on the range it's a significant difference and the 30 cal sucks when compared to the 6mm's but what do I know.

Buck

 

[Sugarbug]

Yes Rick you are correct!

I did minimal testing with the 82 Berger at magazine length at 600 in a 26" AR upper it was ok.

Akajun is also correct, the Pennsylvania team shot thousands at mag length with great success.

Personally I still prefer the the 80 Berger VLD in my service gun and bolt rifle, NOT at mag length. I recently tried the new 80.5 Berger in the infamous bolt gun that my daughter used but couldn't equal the same gain as I did over the Sierra 80. I plan on giving the 80.5 another look in the service gun now that I have a new barrel on it.

Honestly you really give up quite a bit with the 223 at 600 yards I know it looks equal on paper compared to the 308 with 155's but on the range it's a significant difference and the 30 cal sucks when compared to the 6mm's but what do I know.

Buck

What would you recommend as a bullet weigh on a 24" Krieger with a 1:7.7 twist. It's an AR and I want to load at mag length. Shooting at 600.

 

[BKliebert]

I would try the 82 and the 80.5 you are going to be at a disadvantage by running at mag length. The more bullet you have in the case means that there is less powder in the case so velocity will be down.

I hope you can read the wind!

I would use Winchester commertial brass and a Remington 7.5 or Wolf primer. Powder would be 8208XBR, Reloader15, Varget or if you have any AA-2520 id give it a try, my fastest 80 grain loads out of a 20" service rifle were with it.
When you test loads and switch powders load 10 of each powder use the last 5 shots to determine grouping, some powders don't play we'll with others and will take a few shots to settle down.

Buck

 

[mickey]

I would follow Buck's advice. He knows his stuff about AR's.

Another +1 for Buck.
The dude knows his stuff.