Lars Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 I'd like to make my Aero M5 308 a little lighter. Any barrel recommendations? It has what they call a standard profile 18" barrel now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erwos Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 I've got the Faxon pencil barrel on mine. No objections thus far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belus Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 I have the 20" Faxon gunner profile barrel which is slightly heavier towards the chamber than the pencil, iirc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars Posted August 10, 2020 Author Share Posted August 10, 2020 I like the idea of the Faxon gunner. Currently I think the barrel is a Ballistic Advantage heavy taper 18”. What are the chances that I would have a headspace issue with the Aero bolt? Rifle has 66 rounds through it. The other barrel that looks interesting is the Criterion chrome lined one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belus Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 55 minutes ago, Lars said: What are the chances that I would have a headspace issue with the Aero bolt? I think your chances are low of there being an issue, but a Go-gauge is only $25-30 and always important to have around if you're swapping barrels. A bit of thin paper on the base will turn it into a No-Go by adding about 0.003". You could use a quality loaded round like FGMM with and without paper as a cheap temporary alternative too. Do this on a disassembled bolt by hand. But I would buy a new bolt from Faxon (or JP) anyways and just keep the bolts and barrels together as a set. If I were buying a used barrel, having the original matched bolt would be a bonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRider Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 I have a 20" stainless Criterion on mine (iron sight rifle), it is not super heavy and shoots well with 155 Amax. It shoots good with most everything I have ran through it, but really likes 155 Amax. I had problems with two Brownells bolts and headspace, Brownells took both of them back. Both of them were too tight, would not close on a "Go" gauge. They were dimensionally different in different places. I have one Brownells bolt that will headspace in that rifle and my Armalite, I keep it for a spare. The rifle has a JP LMOS carrier and JP bolt, no problems with headspace. The JP bolt is so much smoother locking and unlocking than any of the other bolts have been. Hurley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNJoel Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 BSF carbon barrels are lighter.... not that expensive either compared to other carbon barrels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpeltier Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) Another option is to send the barrel to ADCO and have them turn the profile to a lighter one. I have used them for several projects and always pleased. And much less expensive than buying a new barrel. Edited January 3, 2021 by mpeltier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHooter Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 On 12/30/2020 at 8:53 AM, MNJoel said: BSF carbon barrels are lighter.... not that expensive either compared to other carbon barrels. I've built two AR10s with BSF barrels, an 18" and a 20" they are very light. In addition to being carbon wrapped, my barrels are also fluted. You can save some money by getting a "blem" which are their test fired barrels (this is what I did). Last I recall, you're gonna have to call and ask what they've got for blem barrels. In terms of performance, accuracy is superb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-Tex Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 On 12/30/2020 at 8:53 AM, MNJoel said: BSF carbon barrels are lighter.... not that expensive either compared to other carbon barrels. I 2nd his statement. Price isn't too bad and quality has been good also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathanb Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 I just have one with a 12.5 inch barrel on it. It ain’t practical but it’s lighter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomprojectile78 Posted December 2, 2021 Share Posted December 2, 2021 On 8/10/2020 at 9:00 AM, belus said: I have the 20" Faxon gunner profile barrel which is slightly heavier towards the chamber than the pencil, iirc. Came here to say this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABarrow Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 Just picked up a 16" Faxon Gunner. Great balance to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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