[Yunus]

Can some in the know offer some suggestions on quality brands that don't break the bank? I'm building an AR-15, looking for a 16" barrel. I'm thinking 1/8 twist but that's still up for discussion at this point, I shoot 55gr bullets pretty much exclusively.
Brands I was looking at so far.

Rock River (I've seen plenty of examples that shoot great so the barrel must be good is my reasoning)
Daniel Defense (read good things about them on here)
Spikes Tactical
BCM

Anything others I should be looking into?

[hunter Joe]

Yanus, if you haven't already, go to AR15.com and look around. As with anything else, you get what you pay for. Good Luck, Joe

[Dillinger]

Yunus, in a 16" gun, you don't really need a custom cut, button rifled barrel. Save the cash and get a standard profile without the chrome lining. Free float it and it will be plenty accurate as long as you are not trying to shoot aspirin at 150 yards.

JD

[Yunus]

Originally Posted by Dillinger

Yunus, in a 16" gun, you don't really need a custom cut, button rifled barrel. Save the cash and get a standard profile without the chrome lining. Free float it and it will be plenty accurate as long as you are not trying to shoot aspirin at 150 yards.

JD

But how will I split my aspirin tablets then?

[Dillinger]

Originally Posted by Yunus

But how will I split my aspirin tablets then?

That aspirin reference is related to an old school sniper challenge where P.I.G.'s ( Professionally Instructed Gunmen - meaning they are not yet Snipers or H.O.G.'s )are challenged by their instructors to shoot a standard Bayer aspirin with a cold bore shot at 100 yards.

Usually someone pulls off the feat in a typical class, and then the instructor shoots one at 150-200 yards to put them back in their place.

Honestly at a 100 yards, with a standard AR, most shooters are not going to appreciate a significant difference in the accuracy of a stock barrel versus a custom when weighed against the price.

I would put that extra money towards other parts of the build. Then, when you want to stretch the battlefield, spend money on a quality barrel in a longer configuration.

Just my $0.02

JD

[Yunus]

Actually Compass Lakes Varmint upper in SS is exactly what I'm looking for. Scope only smooth free float tube. I like the clean look.

And I would love to stretch the battlefield. I just don't have regular access to a longer one.

[mjkeat]

White Oak Armament makes great barrels at a great price. Very accurate to boot.

[ARP]

Something to watch for in 5.56 barrels, I have seen this in many brands, even the 1:8 twist stainless.
Many inexpensive brands button rifle the barrel and thread the muzzle without stress relieving, the bore at the muzzle ends up .219 where the rest of the barrel may be .218. those 2 sizes of inspection pins will tell if the .219 goes in the muzzle only 3/4" then you know.
If the bore is larger at the muzzle the 55gr bullets will not shoot well partly because the full diameter body of the bullet is shorter and the larger bore allows the bullet to wobble as it leaves. I have had better results with WWB(M193) and worse results with UMC and FE.
69 and 77gr SMKs still shoot pretty well out of those barrels, Black Hills remanufactured ammo shoots very well and if you reload try 24gr of RE15 with the 69gr SMks set to 2.28" if your mags allow you to load that long.

[Yunus]

Originally Posted by ARP

Something to watch for in 5.56 barrels, I have seen this in many brands, even the 1:8 twist stainless.
Many inexpensive brands button rifle the barrel and thread the muzzle without stress relieving, the bore at the muzzle ends up .219 where the rest of the barrel may be .218. those 2 sizes of inspection pins will tell if the .219 goes in the muzzle only 3/4" then you know.
If the bore is larger at the muzzle the 55gr bullets will not shoot well partly because the full diameter body of the bullet is shorter and the larger bore allows the bullet to wobble as it leaves. I have had better results with WWB(M193) and worse results with UMC and FE.
69 and 77gr SMKs still shoot pretty well out of those barrels, Black Hills remanufactured ammo shoots very well and if you reload try 24gr of RE15 with the 69gr SMks set to 2.28" if your mags allow you to load that long.

Well I understand some of that I think. It's a bit more technical than I am. I understand the twist rate and how different weight bullets stabilize better with different twist rates but you lost me when you say 3/4" then you know.

[ARP]

Originally Posted by Yunus

Well I understand some of that I think. It's a bit more technical than I am. I understand the twist rate and how different weight bullets stabilize better with different twist rates but you lost me when you say 3/4" then you know.

The bore should be .218", if you can slide a .219 inspection pin in the muzzle 3/4" and then it stops then the muzzle is large and will likely throw big groups.
If you already have a barrel that shoot 2" groups or larger try the Black Hills 69gr remanufactured ammo or that handload 24gr of RE15 with 69gr Sierras.