Nebwake Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 I am looking for a new light-mid weight 16" barrel with mid length gas that has sub MOA potential and not super picky with ammo. I have an 18" Nordic match that I am happy with and would like to stay in that price range ~250 ish. I would just go Nordic, but i noticed their 16" bbl isn't a "match barrel". Not looking for JP price though (someday ) What would you guys recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatland Shooter Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 I purchased a Nordic 16" barrel last fall and I'm not impressed with the accuracy. (See thread on it elsewhere on the forum). It has since been relegated to practice only on close range hoser targets. For matches I bought a BHW (Black Hole Weaponry) 16" light weight barrel with mid-length gas system. Very good accuracy (not quite as good as my 18" BHW barrel) and it can be considered a "match quality" barrel. If you watch their Face Book page, occasionally they run 20% off promo codes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebwake Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 (edited) Yea i saw your thread, and thats one reason i posted this . For what its worth, my 18" nordic is one of the most accurate barrels ive shot. It will routinely shoot 1/4" groups at 100 off bags and i can hold it to 2-3" groups at 400 on a calm day. Thanks for the rec on BHW. Edited February 8, 2015 by Nebwake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 I have been playing with several 16" barrels over the winter and the one that I would put at the top of the list is the Stretch16. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatland Shooter Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 In defense of the 16" Nordic barrels, someone else that had similar problems sent their barrel back to the factory. If I remember correctly, the shooter was advised that the chamber was short reamed. Nordic did the repairs and returned the barrel with a sub-MOA target. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sschultz Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 I would give the Faxon 16 inch barrel a look if I was building an upper. We have several in the shop and they look very well made. Other shooter have posted good results with there barrels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebwake Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 Mark, who makes the stretch 16? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrispies Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 I haven't shot one yet but MicroMOA garauntees their barrels to be sub-MOA. They're in your price range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonytheTiger Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Mark, who makes the stretch 16?Strong Side Tactical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 (edited) Mark, who makes the stretch 16?Strong Side Tactical. Yep. There are 5 versions: http://www.strongsidetactical.com/ar15-ar10-barrels-barrel-assemblies/ and they come with a gas block and tube. These precision barrels are excellent. I have run quite a few rounds through it with a variety of BGs and comps, as has James, and we are both impressed. Wide operating window will allow you to tune it how you want, but a JP aluminum BCG and a light and effective comp...you might put away the 18" guns, Edited February 8, 2015 by MarkCO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grouse Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 I've been very pleased with my white oak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatland Shooter Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Now I see why its called "stretch". Looks very promising. Any chance of a detailed review in the future Mark? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Now I see why its called "stretch". Looks very promising. Any chance of a detailed review in the future Mark? I'd say the chances of that are very high. I have 2 more 16" barrels to complete my initial test on (14 total 16" barrels tested so far) then the better ones will move on to systems work as I have done with the Stretch16. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebwake Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 I haven't shot one yet but MicroMOA garauntees their barrels to be sub-MOA. They're in your price range. Looking at the MicroMOA, the only issue I see is the fact it is a 1-7 twist meaning it might not like 55 gn bullets... Im sure itll run long heavy bullets great though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 I haven't shot one yet but MicroMOA garauntees their barrels to be sub-MOA. They're in your price range. Looking at the MicroMOA, the only issue I see is the fact it is a 1-7 twist meaning it might not like 55 gn bullets... Im sure itll run long heavy bullets great though. The MicroMOA does appear to have a preference for higher pressure/heavier bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael1778 Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Mark, who makes the stretch 16?Strong Side Tactical. Yep. There are 5 versions: http://www.strongsidetactical.com/ar15-ar10-barrels-barrel-assemblies/ and they come with a gas block and tube. These precision barrels are excellent. I have run quite a few rounds through it with a variety of BGs and comps, as has James, and we are both impressed. Wide operating window will allow you to tune it how you want, but a JP aluminum BCG and a light and effective comp...you might put away the 18" guns, That last part made me sit up straight in my home office chair. You've got my attention, Mark! Thanks to everyone helping to make this an informative thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebwake Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 Mark, do these like adjustable gas or are they ported small like the nordic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 They are optimally ported. No need for adjustable gas with standard loads and normal low mass. If you go ultra low mass, drop the loads down or you might want adjustable gas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueNathan Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I would give the Faxon 16 inch barrel a look if I was building an upper. We have several in the shop and they look very well made. Other shooter have posted good results with there barrels. Thank you for the recommendation! We choose 1/8 twist and have found it ideal for the mentioned applications. Robar Arms has been posting targets with their firearms. We think you will like the results. Here's our guarantee: You don't like it, we fix it or make it right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I got one of the Melonite Stretch16s today, I am going to get some rounds downrange on it ASAP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael1778 Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I got one of the Melonite Stretch16s today, I am going to get some rounds downrange on it ASAP. You got the exact one I expect that I would want if I were in the market. Looking forward to your findings. I'm guessing a Gas Hog or a DR would be good for up front? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I am going to try a few different ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnorman Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I checked out that barrel and it looks great....that's just a big price tag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I checked out that barrel and it looks great....that's just a big price tag. Comes with gas block and tube, about a $60-70 value. Cerakote or Melonite finish. I think if you consider the performance and features, it is a great value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnorman Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 The one I seen was close to 400..I looked again and seen they had some closer to 345..not bad I agree considering the extras Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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