Barrel for 3 Gun build

[jr. 3 gunner]

I'm looking to build a 3 Gun AR and know that the barrel is one of the most important parts to consider. What I want to know is what barrel would be better?

Wilson Combat Super Sniper 20"

http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Wilson-Combat-Match-Grade-Barrel-223-Wylde-Super-Sniper-20-1-8-Twist-Stainless-Fluted/productinfo/TR-SSBBL/

DPMS Mini SASS 18"

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/688404/dpms-mini-sass-barrel-ar-15-556x45mm-nato-920-muzzle-diameter-1-in-8-twist-18-fluted-stainless-steel-black-teflon-pre-ban

Thanks

[Alaskapopo]

That Wilson barrel weighs 57 ounches which is way too heavy. You want your barrel weight to be about 30 to 35 ounches.

The DPMS barrel is also a pig. Find a medium contour barrel like this.

http://www.jprifles.com/1.4.1_barrel.php

or this.

http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?item_id=b-18lw-556&cat=158&page=1&search=&since=&status=&title=

Edited July 30, 2012 by Alaskapopo

[jr. 3 gunner]

That Wilson barrel weighs 57 ounches which is way too heavy. You want your barrel weight to be about 30 to 35 ounches.

The DPMS barrel is also a pig. Find a medium contour barrel like this.

http://www.jprifles.com/1.4.1_barrel.php

or this.

http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?item_id=b-18lw-556&cat=158&page=1&search=&since=&status=&title=

Thanks I'll look into that.

[benny hill]

Criterion 18" with rifle lengh gas system , chromed lined, superb accuracy, long barrel life @ 36oz and threaded @ $275.00

[jr. 3 gunner]

Criterion 18" with rifle lengh gas system , chromed lined, superb accuracy, long barrel life @ 36oz and threaded @ $275.00

That looks awesome, the JP and Noveske are just too much for me to spend.

Thanks for the help

[Overwatcher]

Take a look at Nordic Components.

They have some barrels in stock that will suit your needs.

[ncopenshooter]

Another vote for an 18" Nordic.

[TMC]

Model 1 Sales - $185

[Alaskapopo]

Model 1 Sales - $185

I only got 1 upper from Model 1 sales way back when and it had head space issues. I would just say no to this company.

pat

[MarkCO]

The Nordic 18" is what we use and recommend.

[dlouie87]

The Nordic 18" is what we use and recommend.

is this one the one you are using? Nordic .223 Wylde 18" Competition Barrel

[MarkCO]

Yep. You can buy from Nordic, Shooters Source and Carbon Arms.

[jimmcc]

I'm also considering a new barrel and I want the lightest 18" out there. So which one, JP, Nordic, Noveske?

[Braxton1]

I haven't used the SASS barrel, but the Mk12 18" from DPMS was a tack-driver in the last gun that I built.

[dmshozer1]

That Wilson barrel weighs 57 ounches which is way too heavy. You want your barrel weight to be about 30 to 35 ounches.

The DPMS barrel is also a pig. Find a medium contour barrel like this.

http://www.jprifles.com/1.4.1_barrel.php

or this.

http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?item_id=b-18lw-556&cat=158&page=1&search=&since=&status=&title=

Both of my "DPMS PIGS" shoot 1 moa out to 400 yds with 55 Noslers.

I do not have a range to shoot any farther.

Got them from Midway two years ago for $165 each.

Don't get caught up in the "trend" for light weight barrels and AR's

Way to wippy in my opinion.

[latech15]

The Nordic barrels are Wilson barrels, I believe. I have that very one that you listed (purchased from Nordic) and I love it. It shoots the big 77 grainers in to one hole. I do wish it was a little lighter though. Wonder if I could flute it????

[dukduk]

The Nordic barrels are Wilson barrels, I believe. I have that very one that you listed (purchased from Nordic) and I love it. It shoots the big 77 grainers in to one hole. I do wish it was a little lighter though. Wonder if I could flute it????

you can

[rpd]

I built an upper with the DPMS 18" barrel last year and it shoots great, but it is very heavy. I actually still use an A2 fixed stock which balances out a bit better than a collapsible. I love the 18 inch barrel and rifle length gas, but I wish the barrel was lighter.

[trickpony]

LOKI Weapon Systems has some great barrels at a good price, or you can buy a complete upper. Also Benny Hill at Triangle Shooting Sports has his $275 18" barrels as mentioned above, they're another great option. There's always JP too.

[Alaskapopo]

That Wilson barrel weighs 57 ounches which is way too heavy. You want your barrel weight to be about 30 to 35 ounches.

The DPMS barrel is also a pig. Find a medium contour barrel like this.

http://www.jprifles.com/1.4.1_barrel.php

or this.

http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?item_id=b-18lw-556&cat=158&page=1&search=&since=&status=&title=

Both of my "DPMS PIGS" shoot 1 moa out to 400 yds with 55 Noslers.

I do not have a range to shoot any farther.

Got them from Midway two years ago for $165 each.

Don't get caught up in the "trend" for light weight barrels and AR's

Way to wippy in my opinion.

For starters the barrels shown are not a light weight design but rather medium contour barrels which are perfect for the game. The heavy barrels while they are accurate are way way to heavy to shoot fast and well on 99% of the stages we typically shoot in this sport. There are a lot more shots at 100 and in than at 400.

Pat

[latech15]

The Nordic barrels are Wilson barrels, I believe. I have that very one that you listed (purchased from Nordic) and I love it. It shoots the big 77 grainers in to one hole. I do wish it was a little lighter though. Wonder if I could flute it????

you can

How much weight did you lose?

Edited July 31, 2012 by latech15

[MarkCO]

RE the Nordic 18" Competition barrels...I built 2 new rifles and took them to the range yesterday to give the customers an idea of where to start for loads. Used a 6x optic and collected ammo that did not pass case guage and here is what I got for 5 rounds each at 100 yards on a new barrel:

Win 55 FMJ: 1.5"

Nosler 55 BT: .5"

Nosler 60 BT: .6"

Hornady 68 HPBT: .9"

Sierra 69 SMK: .6"

Nosler 69 Comp: .4"

We have found that these barrels settle in at about 200 rounds or so dropping group sizes a good bit. Our match rifles end up about 1/2 MOA. The difference in velocity between the 2 barrels was within the SD.

[MustangGreg66]

Going 18" you want a rifle length gas, not the mid length in your link for the DPMS. I bought the DPMS Mark 12 barrel from Midway and it's worked well for me. It did take 1-200 rounds to break in and settle down the group size. It's on sale now too

My linkhttp://www.midwayusa.com/product/431749/dpms-mark-12-barrel-ar-15-556x45mm-nato-heavy-contour-1-in-8-twist-18-stainless-steel-black-pre-ban

I forget where I found it, but it's a heavy barrel at 42oz. I'm a big guy and have a light handguard so I don't have an issue with it. I've been wanting to try the new Nordic 18" barrel though.

[dmshozer1]

That Wilson barrel weighs 57 ounches which is way too heavy. You want your barrel weight to be about 30 to 35 ounches.

The DPMS barrel is also a pig. Find a medium contour barrel like this.

http://www.jprifles.com/1.4.1_barrel.php

or this.

http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?item_id=b-18lw-556&cat=158&page=1&search=&since=&status=&title=

Both of my "DPMS PIGS" shoot 1 moa out to 400 yds with 55 Noslers.

I do not have a range to shoot any farther.

Got them from Midway two years ago for $165 each.

Don't get caught up in the "trend" for light weight barrels and AR's

Way to wippy in my opinion.

For starters the barrels shown are not a light weight design but rather medium contour barrels which are perfect for the game. The heavy barrels while they are accurate are way way to heavy to shoot fast and well on 99% of the stages we typically shoot in this sport. There are a lot more shots at 100 and in than at 400.

Pat

They might be to heavy for you but not for me.

Different strokes for different folks.

[Alaskapopo]

That Wilson barrel weighs 57 ounches which is way too heavy. You want your barrel weight to be about 30 to 35 ounches.

The DPMS barrel is also a pig. Find a medium contour barrel like this.

http://www.jprifles.com/1.4.1_barrel.php

or this.

http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?item_id=b-18lw-556&cat=158&page=1&search=&since=&status=&title=

Both of my "DPMS PIGS" shoot 1 moa out to 400 yds with 55 Noslers.

I do not have a range to shoot any farther.

Got them from Midway two years ago for $165 each.

Don't get caught up in the "trend" for light weight barrels and AR's

Way to wippy in my opinion.

For starters the barrels shown are not a light weight design but rather medium contour barrels which are perfect for the game. The heavy barrels while they are accurate are way way to heavy to shoot fast and well on 99% of the stages we typically shoot in this sport. There are a lot more shots at 100 and in than at 400.

Pat

They might be to heavy for you but not for me.

Different strokes for different folks.

True but there is a reason most shooters especially the pro's are not lugging those heavy barrels around and their winning. I tried a heavy barrel for a time and found you give up way too much on the sort to medium course for the time you may gain on the long ones.

Edited July 31, 2012 by Alaskapopo