Chrome Lined AR-15 Barrel Questions

[synergy]

Originally Posted by TWC

Thanks. Also, back to my original question about chrome lining. While this is going to be used for hunting, I still plan on doing a fair amount of plinking and putting a decent number of rounds through it on any given outing. Non-lined still the way to go? I'm assuming so, just making sure.

If you clean it and don't leave stuff sit in the barrel between range sessions, it should be fine.

For precise shooting, SS is the way to go. For battlefield use, chrome lined is the way to go. Shooting tiny furry targets off a bench? SS seems like a good choice. Either will work.

[Lycanthrope]

Originally Posted by TWC

One more question for now; when I purchase the Del Ton kit would it be worth my $25 to get the M4 feed ramps?

You should have ZERO issues with regular rifle ramps with any bullet profile you run, but M4 ramps are good if your mag springs get weak and $25 is a deal.....so yeah, get them.

Lycanjustsayinthrope

[animalmother85]

Originally Posted by Lycanthrope

Yes, the Del Ton kits would suffice and likely give you 1 moa with handloads and a free float handguard (maybe a bit better...try 69gr Sierra Match King over Varget loaded magazine length).

95% of AR accuracy is the barrel. The rest is free floating the handguards.

You'll eventually want a good trigger. The RRA two stage is decent on a budget.

Lycananyquestions?thrope

...and what OAL would that be for you? I use reloader 15 and have recently found my .308 likes Varget better then RL-15...so maybe my lwrc would benefit from it as well...also how many grains of Varget do you use?

[Lycanthrope]

Originally Posted by animalmother85

...and what OAL would that be for you? I use reloader 15 and have recently found my .308 likes Varget better then RL-15...so maybe my lwrc would benefit from it as well...also how many grains of Varget do you use?

2.256 seems to be the best OAL for HP match bullets in my gun. I use 23 grains of Varget under the 77gr Nosler Custom Competition BTHP. That's a lighter load and while you can load hotter and compress Varget in .223, that load shot under .5 MOA from 2 of my guns so it's where I stay for match ammunition.

That load is for Winchester brass. .223 brass varies a lot in case volume across headstamps (especially if you pick up 5.56 brass) so be careful when loading hot. A safe powder charge in one type of brass can be high pressure in another.

Lycanbecarefulthrope

[TWC]

Thanks again for your advice. Any idea if there is any significant difference between the 16 and 20 inch kits as far as my purposes are concerned? I'd rather get the 16in simply because I would get the lightweight version instead of a heavy barreled kit.

[24/7dude]

for shooting out to 300 yards I'd go for either a 20 or 18 inch barrel.

[Lycanthrope]

Originally Posted by TWC

Thanks again for your advice. Any idea if there is any significant difference between the 16 and 20 inch kits as far as my purposes are concerned? I'd rather get the 16in simply because I would get the lightweight version instead of a heavy barreled kit.

Barrel length won't matter for accuracy, but the longer barrels will shoot at a higher velocity. Ball doesn't fragment at lower velocities, but today's varmint and hunting bullets do, so it's a non-issue.

Lighter profile barrels will start to string or widen the groups as heat builds faster than the heavier profiles.

The full length/rifle gas systems (20" and many 18" guns) will have a softer recoil pulse if you want to watch hits in the scope, but a good brake can make it work just as well.

Lycangettingthebugtoshootthrope

[TWC]

How much faster are we talking in regards to the loss in accuracy, and how much does accuracy decrease? Thanks, sorry I'm such an ARtard

[Lycanthrope]

Originally Posted by TWC

How much faster are we talking in regards to the loss in accuracy, and how much does accuracy decrease? Thanks, sorry I'm such an ARtard

OK, let me be more specific.

A 16" barrel and 20" barrel of the same quality will typically shoot equally accurate (actually shorter barrels tend to be stiffer, but we're splitting hairs here). So...buy a decent barrel and the length won't matter.

The 20" barrel may shoot about 200fps faster with certain powders over the 16" gun. That only matters if you need to push a bullet to a certain speed to fragment....or you like a flatter shooting gun.

The heavy barrel and light barrel may shoot just as accurate at first (although heavy barrels are stiffer.....again, we're splitting hairs). After the gun gets hot, accuracy will ddrop off faster on the lighter barrel until the gun cools.

Don't worry about the questions. It's why we're here.


Lycanclearasmudthrope

[TWC]

Hey guys, sorry to bring back an old thread, but I thought this would be better than creating a new one. I was wondering what your opinion on a quality barrel for my previously mentioned needs would be. I'm thinking a White Oak barrel, but they have so many offerings. Any suggestions?