mulrick Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Hi guys, First off, I love this site, such a wealth of knowledge and so far seems to be a very civilized place compared to many of the other gun forums. It has unfortunately made me much less productive at work lately... Sorry if this is long winded. So I searched around a bit but I wasn't getting the info that I was looking for, Im not one of those guy who asks a question before searching. I started with some USPSA 3 gun matches locally earlier this year and I am totally hooked. Been using a pretty simple iron sighted carbine for the Limited divsion, and a 16" mid length recce(ish) with a 1-4 for the tactical division. I have a ton of AR parts laying around and a few lowers so I figured now is as good of a time as any to build a dedicated 3-gun rig. My question is to the guys running 18" rifle gas systems. I see the trend towards heavier profiles with fluting to save some weight. The stag 3g upper would be what I would go with if it weren't for the fact that I have everything I need to build an upper minus the barrel sitting on my workbench and they don't seem to be in stock anywhere. Plus I cant seem to find anyone who carries the Stag 3g specific barrel. I saw the Loki 18" double fluted which looked nice, hear it is easily sub MOA with the right ammo. Also looked at some white oak barrels but it looks like I can only get 18" rifle with 1/7 and I was hoping for 1/8. Any advice as to where I should be shopping is great. I would like to keep the barrel in the $250-$400 range, stainless, fluted. If the manufacture can head space a bolt to fit as well, that would be amazing. Thanks guys, sorry for the mini essay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhill Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Criterion barrel is best on market in my opinion. Barrel is 18", light weight and extremely accurate. We use them in all our builds and they run in the $300 range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhill Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Criterion barrel is best on market in my opinion. Barrel is 18", light weight and extremely accurate. We use them in all our builds and they run in the $300 range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Best barrel IMHO is the Nordic 18" competition. $269, no need for adjustable gas, sub MOA, 1/8 stainless in .223 Wylde. The barrel extension is factory installed which is what sets the headspace. Matched bolts are a kind of a marketing gimmick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JesseCJC Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 here you go http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=156689 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulrick Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 Thanks guys, I think I will give the Nordic a second look. I like those guys, very responsive, and they support the sport which I really like. Plus I have a couple other things from them and have been impressed. Might even look at getting it fluted to save a little weight. here you go http://www.brianenos...howtopic=156689 Good info in there... some how missed that thread, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWF Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 white oak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleepswithdogs Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 JP; do some reasearch on the quality of their barrels and you will find them deserving of serious consideration. If you buy the package, bolt, LMBC and gas block the price looks pretty alright. Tar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbon9 Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 As a second opinion....... I would definitely consider either the Nordic/Carbonarms and Criterion barrels as good to go, I personally would rethink the fluting option, not needed and just more $$$. If the look of fluting is worth it for you, then by all means, spend all the $$$ you want on it. You aren't going to save enough weight on an 18" barrel with a decent profile to justify the cost. Also, the additional machining stresses could affect the barrel's performance. YMMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerritm Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 We have 2 of the Loki 18" barrels, one on my DPMS 3G and one on my son's rifle that I built for him. Great barrel and very accurate. We shoot out to 500 yards in one of our monthly matches and it hits hard. I also have a friend who is one of the top shooters on the 3-gun Nation tour who is using a fluted Loki 20" barrel with great success. Hard to beat at the pice. Mine is nitride coated and my son's is SS. Shaved about 6-8 ounces off the weight. I think they weigh about 33 ounces. gerritm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphamikefoxtrot Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Another vote for the Nordic. If you go That route, get if from carbon arms. I have lots of their products and they stand behind them and also give back to the sport. Not to mention, Mark is a good guy and is very helpful around here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supermoto Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 I have a Nordic 16" Midlength Lilja barrel that I have been very happy with. I like how it has been turned down under the handguard, balances well and is very accurate. I wish that their 18" was the same profile. I have a WOA 18" SPR barrel that has also been accurate, but I found it to be very nose heavy and ended up having it turned down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWF Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 I have a Nordic 16" Midlength Lilja barrel that I have been very happy with. I like how it has been turned down under the handguard, balances well and is very accurate. I wish that their 18" was the same profile. I have a WOA 18" SPR barrel that has also been accurate, but I found it to be very nose heavy and ended up having it turned down. hmm i also have the WOA 18" with the rifle lenght gas system and fine it okay the way it is, guess i am using a heavier stock or just we are just 2 different shooters. +1 on the very accurate sub MOA at 400 off a bench, freestyle i cam hit the berm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulrick Posted November 28, 2012 Author Share Posted November 28, 2012 As a second opinion....... I would definitely consider either the Nordic/Carbonarms and Criterion barrels as good to go, I personally would rethink the fluting option, not needed and just more $$$. If the look of fluting is worth it for you, then by all means, spend all the $$$ you want on it. You aren't going to save enough weight on an 18" barrel with a decent profile to justify the cost. Also, the additional machining stresses could affect the barrel's performance. YMMV Yeah after talking to my Machinist friend last night, he said it would be a pain in the ass for only a few ounces. I am going to use a Samson Evo Rail which is very light weight, and a VLTOR Mur which is also pretty svelte. So I should be good. We have 2 of the Loki 18" barrels, one on my DPMS 3G and one on my son's rifle that I built for him. Great barrel and very accurate. We shoot out to 500 yards in one of our monthly matches and it hits hard. I also have a friend who is one of the top shooters on the 3-gun Nation tour who is using a fluted Loki 20" barrel with great success. Hard to beat at the pice. Mine is nitride coated and my son's is SS. Shaved about 6-8 ounces off the weight. I think they weigh about 33 ounces. gerritm Yeah I have looked at the LWS... Maybe it deserves another look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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