Nick_shoots_fast Posted February 14, 2021 Share Posted February 14, 2021 I have a 18” WOA barrel that I used last year and I want a 16” for this year. I don’t want to break the bank but I want a pretty sweet barrel. What do you guys recommend? Twist and make? shooting mostly 55g bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltdmstr Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 Not sure what breaks the bank for you, but if you want a top quality, these guys build AR barrels from Bartlein blanks and will do it up pretty much however you want. https://craddockprecision.com/ar15-barrels/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwink Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 I'm still liking my Stretch16, but don't consider it cheap. I had a lilja (18") made early on and it'll shoot well under 1/2" at 100 yards with good factory or my handloads. I've used some Odins, they make a light profile, and had good accuracy out of 3-4 of those now. I also have a couple faxons that have shot quite well in 16" with their gunner and pencil profiles 8 twist. I would absolutely buy another one of them, easily at or under 1 MOA with most decent ammo I've put through. Final note, got my first BA, and was pleasantly surprised. Hanson series 8 twist - hangs in there with many much more expensive tubes and don't think it would hold most back as far as accuracy for run and gun. That being said, I may have gotten a good one, but knowing others who have shot them and reading online I think they are doing some good stuff down there for the price! There you have a few options across the price spectrum, I'm sure everyone has a list but that's my $0.02. Right now maybe whatever is in stock is a good one to get though Kinda sad out there unfortunately, but with persistence you'll find what you're after Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Sierpina Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Why do you want a 16" barrel if the 18 you have is working for you? Changing your handguard may be a more cost effective path. Change the barrel, you may wind up with a good shooter, or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltdmstr Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 If you just want shorter and there's still life in the current barrel, you can cut/crown/thread it for $75. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RH39 Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 Everyone’s bank is a bit different but criterion are pretty good barrels. For the price they are hard to beat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minnesota1 Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 I've really liked the ballistic advantage BA Hanson barrels. I have a bunch of them and all of them are working out great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonytheTiger Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 On 2/14/2021 at 4:22 PM, Atlasguy321 said: I have a 18” WOA barrel that I used last year and I want a 16” for this year. Cut the 18" down to 16" if it's got plenty of life left in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verla Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 Take a look at Green Mountain rifle barrels. They have a 18", wylde chambered, fluted barrel for about $200. Mine shoots sub minute at 100 yds with 55gr hornady FMJ bullets. GM-M18 18" 223 WYLDE chamber - Green Mountain Rifle Barrel Co. (gmriflebarrel.com) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrd Posted March 19, 2021 Share Posted March 19, 2021 (edited) The Criterion Core barrels have the most interesting profile to me right now. They taper down to pencil profile slowly, so the mass is where it's needed for best distribution of weight and heat. Should be affected less by heat and still very light. Unfortunately the 16" version is not rifle length gas. If money is a big concern, cut down what you have or a Faxxon gunner 18". Edited March 19, 2021 by mrd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm31 Posted March 16, 2022 Share Posted March 16, 2022 I highly recommend JP barrels. I run a 16” and an 18” JP barrel in 3 Gun competition. You will not be disappointed with a JP barrel. I have a code to save you some cash at JP Rifles as well. code: 68SS0717 It will save you 10% on JP parts and 5% on complete rifles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbzero Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 I have a Stretch 16 and really like it, but IMHO, is a bit more expensive than what is really needed. If I were building one now, I'd probably choose between a Criterion CORE 16" or Criterion Hybrid Rifle Length 16" for the length you want. Would lean towards the CORE, but availability with those is still an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donno Posted March 24, 2022 Share Posted March 24, 2022 For the money 250+/- I really like Ballistic Advantage. If you want to spend more look at Bartlein or JP. Lancer used to put Bartlein's 17" barrels in a lot of their competition guns and most were 1/2"- 5/8" MOA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirate Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 I have a 16in Criterion Hybrid with rifle length gas that has been sweet. I ordered it from the manufacturer with a factory headspaced BCM bolt added. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinT Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 All of the ones recommended in this thread are good. Pick one and go with it. I have a 18" Criterion hybrid that turned out really well. Search their barrel installation guide on youtube and follow it. Lack of zero shift in your barrel is also important and much of that comes from the installation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangeman711 Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 I've been shooting JP 's for over 20 yrs. Tried a few other's but always went back to JP's. Good luck in your search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outerlimits Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 58 minutes ago, orangeman711 said: I've been shooting JP 's for over 20 yrs. Tried a few other's but always went back to JP's. Good luck in your search. ^^This. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwsmkaz Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 Get a JP Supermatch. It's hands down the best and their customer service is second to none. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darqusoull13 Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 12 hours ago, pwsmkaz said: Get a JP Supermatch. It's hands down the best and their customer service is second to none. Currently on my 3rd JP barrel for 3 gun. All 3 have been phenomenal. Every barrel coming with a new bolt is one point that is often overlooked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boomstick303 Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 6 minutes ago, Darqusoull13 said: All 3 have been phenomenal. How many rounds are you getting on a JP barrel before its "shot out"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darqusoull13 Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 13 minutes ago, Boomstick303 said: How many rounds are you getting on a JP barrel before its "shot out"? In a 223? No idea. I gave one of mine to a friend getting into the sport and it was still shooting under 1/2" at 100 over 10,000 rounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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