AR15.Com Archives
 Barrel for 300-500 yards?
Saluki2003  [Member]
4/8/2012 7:51:40 PM
Im going to be putting together an AR but need some help with setting it up. I'm thinking of putting together an SPR type AR but all the 18" barrels I've seen are pretty expensive. I will mostly be using this gun for the range or when I go out to the desert plinking as well as a SHTF rifle. The range I'll go to goes out to a max of 300 yds but I would like to be able to be pretty accurate out to 500 yds. Would I be better off going with a 16" or a 20" barrel? I'd like to get a Noveske but that's just out of my price range. Any help on what barrel to get would be appreciated.

This wont really be used for home defense....the Sig P220 and Shotgun already have that job.
urbanredneck  [Member]
4/8/2012 8:41:42 PM
I think PSA has 20" CL uppers in stock. Get one with a Troy or MI ss FF rail. Prob out shoot you all day long. looking at $750 range.
OIF_Vet08-09  [Team Member]
4/8/2012 9:02:14 PM
The USMC quals at distances up to 500 yards with a 20" CL barrel and iron sights. With that in mind, there are more options than I care to write out. Check out the BCM 18" barrels. They are very accurate and decently priced. Also the Rainier Arms barrels have great reviews.
patchz  [Team Member]
4/8/2012 9:47:38 PM
The 16" barrels used by the spotters did pretty doggone well in the 10th Annual International Sniper championship, even out to
700 yards.
Mahamotorworks  [Team Member]
4/8/2012 11:18:15 PM
I have an 18" BCM build. At the range today I was hitting 1/4 size IPSC steel at just under 700 yards with it using a 4x ACOG. I might swap scopes and see how acurate it is. It is worth it.

MAHA
glorifiedG  [Team Member]
4/9/2012 12:55:24 AM
At 500 yards speed is an advantage, get the 20"
98Z5V  [Member]
4/9/2012 1:22:16 AM
Originally Posted By Saluki2003:
Im going to be putting together an AR but need some help with setting it up. I'm thinking of putting together an SPR type AR but all the 18" barrels I've seen are pretty expensive.


You didn't state what your budget was. There are a couple very nice 18" barrels out there under $300.

Saluki2003  [Member]
4/9/2012 1:45:13 AM
I don't really have a set budget I will probably be buying this thing piecemeal so that I can get some better equipment than if I were to buy it all at once. I guess I'm looking to get the best bang for my buck. Total I'd like to be around $1200-1400 I guess.
98Z5V  [Member]
4/9/2012 2:45:19 AM
Barrel budget, man - you're saying that the 18" barrels you've seen are pretty expensive. What is your limit on a barrel price?
Saluki2003  [Member]
4/9/2012 9:42:13 AM
I'd like to keep it under $300 preferably under $250. I was looking at these 2:

http://www.parallaxtactical.com/store/18-mini-sass-barrel-1336.html

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-18-SPR-SS410-Barrel-with-Rifle-Length-Gas-p/bcm-recbrl%2018ss.htm

I'll also keep an eye out on the EE for something that fits.
98Z5V  [Member]
4/9/2012 11:02:18 PM
ADCO has a very nice barrel, which just went out of stock in about the last week or so - $275. 18" SPR barrel, rifle gas.

Nordic Components also has a very nice barrel, which IS in stock, $269 shipped. 18" with a .223 Wylde chamber, rifle gas. I have this barrel, and it's a winner.

Nordic Comp barrel

Seawolf504  [Member]
4/14/2012 8:35:38 AM
SHTF\med range scout setup i like 16" heavy barrel w/ middy gas system chrome lined chrome molly bbl or ss bbl.
Mounger  [Member]
4/15/2012 7:31:57 PM
I have PSA chrome lined HF 20 inch military profile barrel. I had excellent results at the max range we shot at 400 yards at my NG Competition back in Feb. I have know doubt it will perform at 500 yards.

Model 1 has a 16, 20, and I think an 18 inch ER Shaw stainless barrel that is crazy accurate and not much money.

For an all around rifle, I would go with the 16 inch.
FMJ  [Team Member]
4/16/2012 4:17:25 PM
If you plan on shooting mostly 300 and further
get a Rifle 20inch or 18