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Posted: 1/9/2016 11:29:12 AM EDT
Accuracy Evaluation of a Noveske 18” SPR Barrel
Noveske’s 18” SPR barrel is a stainless-steel barrel that has a medium contour and a 0.750” diameter gas block journal. The gas block journal for this barrel is designed for Noveske’s low profile gas block and the journal is only one inch in length; standard length gas blocks will not work with this barrel. Fortunately, Noveske’s pinned and set-screwed low profile gas block is included with the barrel (as well as an intermediate length gas tube.) 
The Noveske SPR barrel employs an intermediate length gas system which eliminates the short-stroke issues that are sometimes encountered in cold weather with some 18” barrels that utilize a rifle length gas system. The barrel extension has “M4” feed-ramps. The barrel has a 1:7” twist rate and polygonal rifling (not a polygonal bore.) 
The chamber found in this barrel is Noveske’s proprietary Noveske Match mod 0 chamber that “was developed to fire MK262 Mod 1 on AUTO in hot environments." I installed the SPR barrel in a Colt M4 upper receiver and free-floated the barrel with a LaRue Tactical 12” handguard. 
I conducted an accuracy (technically, precision) evaluation of the Noveske 18” SPR barrel from my bench-rest set-up following my usual protocol. This accuracy evaluation used statistically significant shot-group sizes and every single shot in a fired group was included in the measurements. There was absolutely no use of any group reduction techniques (e.g. fliers, target movement, Butterfly Shots). The shooting set-up will be described in detail below. As many of the significant variables as was practicable were controlled for. Pictures of shot-groups are posted for documentation. All shooting was conducted from a concrete bench-rest from a distance of 100 yards (confirmed with a laser rangefinder.) The free-float hand-guard of the rifle rested in a Sinclair Windage Benchrest, while the stock of the rifle rested in a Protektor bunny-ear rear bag. Sighting was accomplished via a Leupold VARI-X III set at 25X magnification and adjusted to be parallax-free at 100 yards. A mirage shade was attached to the objective-bell of the scope. Wind conditions on the shooting range were continuously monitored using a Wind Probe. The set-up was very similar to that pictured below. 
For this evaluation, I used one of my standard match-grade hand-loads topped with Sierra 55 grain BlitzKings. When fired from my Krieger barreled AR-15s, this load has produced ½ MOA 10-shot groups at 100 yards. 
Three, 10-shot groups were fired in a row from the Noveske SPR barrel from a distance of 100 yards with the resulting extreme spreads: 0.812” 0.732” 0.873” for an average 10-shot group extreme spread of 0.81”. The three, 10-shot groups were over-layed on each other using RSI Shooting Lab to form a 30-shot composite group. The mean radius of the 30-shot composite group was 0.28” The smallest 10-shot group . . . 
The 30-shot composite group . . . 
…. For the Internet Commando's in our viewing audience, here's a 3-shot group fired from the 18" Noveske barrel at a distance of 100 yards. The group has an extreme spread of 0.189". 
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...that Noveske barrel tho!
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Accuracy Evaluation of a Noveske 18” SPR Barrel https://app.box.com/shared/static/xo7ecsfy00l7r24032azve25v4q79als.jpg Noveske’s 18” SPR barrel is a stainless-steel barrel that has a medium contour and a 0.750” diameter gas block journal. The gas block journal for this barrel is designed for Noveske’s low profile gas block and the journal is only one inch in length; standard length gas blocks will not work with this barrel. Fortunately, Noveske’s pinned and set-screwed low profile gas block is included with the barrel (as well as an intermediate length gas tube.) https://app.box.com/shared/static/w6ryaniwlaxl65xdym2ud4e2jqpm5871.jpg https://app.box.com/shared/static/ckdarziwj3e0ay7jipk4qf34tfbd8qcc.jpg The Noveske SPR barrel employs an intermediate length gas system which eliminates the short-stroke issues that are sometimes encountered in cold weather with some 18” barrels that utilize a rifle length gas system. The barrel extension has “M4” feed-ramps. The barrel has a 1:7” twist rate and polygonal rifling (not a polygonal bore.) https://app.box.com/shared/static/9me4uu47u5ke7q89kcpx3q5ris1trr7y.jpg https://app.box.com/shared/static/2nr1zffw7j1uhlkqf6fgqlqpbnn3epuc.jpg The chamber found in this barrel is Noveske’s proprietary Noveske Match mod 0 chamber that “was developed to fire MK262 Mod 1 on AUTO in hot environments." I installed the SPR barrel in a Colt M4 upper receiver and free-floated the barrel with a LaRue Tactical 12” handguard. https://app.box.com/shared/static/6mjhqvzx7yrojh30a1zss4r4e7u0hhhg.jpg I conducted an accuracy (technically, precision) evaluation of the Noveske 18” SPR barrel from my bench-rest set-up following my usual protocol. This accuracy evaluation used statistically significant shot-group sizes and every single shot in a fired group was included in the measurements. There was absolutely no use of any group reduction techniques (e.g. fliers, target movement, Butterfly Shots). The shooting set-up will be described in detail below. As many of the significant variables as was practicable were controlled for. Pictures of shot-groups are posted for documentation. All shooting was conducted from a concrete bench-rest from a distance of 100 yards (confirmed with a laser rangefinder.) The free-float hand-guard of the rifle rested in a Sinclair Windage Benchrest, while the stock of the rifle rested in a Protektor bunny-ear rear bag. Sighting was accomplished via a Leupold VARI-X III set at 25X magnification and adjusted to be parallax-free at 100 yards. A mirage shade was attached to the objective-bell of the scope. Wind conditions on the shooting range were continuously monitored using a Wind Probe. The set-up was very similar to that pictured below. https://app.box.com/shared/static/xo4duzdgtp.jpg https://app.box.com/shared/static/lkg47ptc04.jpg For this evaluation, I used one of my standard match-grade hand-loads topped with Sierra 55 grain BlitzKings. When fired from my Krieger barreled AR-15s, this load has produced ½ MOA 10-shot groups at 100 yards. https://app.box.com/shared/static/n5uicctmu8ve7kxmht3zboy2inihdvzq.jpg Three, 10-shot groups were fired in a row from the Noveske SPR barrel from a distance of 100 yards with the resulting extreme spreads: 0.812” 0.732” 0.873” for an average 10-shot group extreme spread of 0.81”. The three, 10-shot groups were over-layed on each other using RSI Shooting Lab to form a 30-shot composite group. The mean radius of the 30-shot composite group was 0.28” The smallest 10-shot group . . . https://app.box.com/shared/static/fs89f0e2sy9c48p6qb2japknx67i42nd.jpg The 30-shot composite group . . . https://app.box.com/shared/static/o9me2v3tg4g7gqubs09r3gyttmby30yf.jpg …. I love your posts, Molon! Thanks coming back. Oh have the exact same barrel on a Larue 13.5" hand guard,and I love that barrel. I shoot it with Speer 64 grain Gold Dots, and it is a fine weapon. Right Now I am shooting it with Noveske/Troy irons, but am looking at avoid variable scope to mount it on |
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I love your posts, Molon! Thanks coming back. Oh have the exact same barrel on a Larue 13.5" hand guard,and I love that barrel. I shoot it with Speer 64 grain Gold Dots, and it is a fine weapon. Right Now I am shooting it with Noveske/Troy irons, but am looking at avoid variable scope to mount it on I used the 13.2" LaRue hand-guard on a 20" Noveske barreled build. The sight radius of KAC back-up iron sights on the the LaRue 13.2" handguard is approximately 18.5". The sight radius of a standard 20" AR-15A2 upper is approximately 20". 
While zeroing the KAC BUIS at 50 yards for an Improved Battlesight Zero I turned in the 10-shot group pictured below; which is about as good as my eyes can shoot with the standard size post and aperture of the AR-15 iron sights. 
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Somewhere in the stickies or perhaps Arfcom 101, there is a thread dedicated to compiling Molon's findings. Quoted:
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Great post as always. You should have your own sub-forum here Somewhere in the stickies or perhaps Arfcom 101, there is a thread dedicated to compiling Molon's findings. It's a little outdated, but here's the link . . . Collected Posts by Molon ... |
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I haven't seen it posted or question asked, but what trigger are you using for these tests? This one. 
https://app.box.com/shared/static/ctxun3q0wpm19uhgadahjjnj7bsyagc9.jpg .... Geissele Hi-speed National Match. ... |
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Quoted: Geissele Hi-speed National Match. ... Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I haven't seen it posted or question asked, but what trigger are you using for these tests? This one. https://app.box.com/shared/static/ctxun3q0wpm19uhgadahjjnj7bsyagc9.jpg .... Geissele Hi-speed National Match. ... Ha! I guessed right. Which springs are you running (Service, DMR, or Match)? |
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Impressive indeed! What powder were you using? https://app.box.com/shared/static/m3rs7go6u7.jpg .... N133 for light bullets? N140 for the heavies? I've used N540 with 75 grain Hornady bthp match loads @ 23.5 grains through my Winchester M70 HVV with excellent accuracy (1/9). |
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I used the 13.2" LaRue hand-guard on a 20" Noveske barreled build. The sight radius of KAC back-up iron sights on the the LaRue 13.2" handguard is approximately 18.5". The sight radius of a standard 20" AR-15A2 upper is approximately 20". http://www.box.net/shared/static/ehx5fqi6je.jpg While zeroing the KAC BUIS at 50 yards for an Improved Battlesight Zero I turned in the 10-shot group pictured below; which is about as good as my eyes can shoot with the standard size post and aperture of the AR-15 iron sights. http://www.box.net/shared/static/tkx89mi1st.jpg http://www.box.net/shared/static/lahxs5ev5e.jpg ..... Quoted:
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I love your posts, Molon! Thanks coming back. Oh have the exact same barrel on a Larue 13.5" hand guard,and I love that barrel. I shoot it with Speer 64 grain Gold Dots, and it is a fine weapon. Right Now I am shooting it with Noveske/Troy irons, but am looking at avoid variable scope to mount it on I used the 13.2" LaRue hand-guard on a 20" Noveske barreled build. The sight radius of KAC back-up iron sights on the the LaRue 13.2" handguard is approximately 18.5". The sight radius of a standard 20" AR-15A2 upper is approximately 20". http://www.box.net/shared/static/ehx5fqi6je.jpg While zeroing the KAC BUIS at 50 yards for an Improved Battlesight Zero I turned in the 10-shot group pictured below; which is about as good as my eyes can shoot with the standard size post and aperture of the AR-15 iron sights. http://www.box.net/shared/static/tkx89mi1st.jpg http://www.box.net/shared/static/lahxs5ev5e.jpg ..... Are the KAC 600m sights calibrated for a rifle length FSB or carbine? What cartridge? I took mine to 500 yards and was a little short. The was with the front mounted on a 13" rail and wolf gold. |
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Are the KAC 600m sights calibrated for a rifle length FSB or carbine? What cartridge? I took mine to 500 yards and was a little short. The was with the front mounted on a 13" rail and wolf gold. Quoted:
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I love your posts, Molon! Thanks coming back. Oh have the exact same barrel on a Larue 13.5" hand guard,and I love that barrel. I shoot it with Speer 64 grain Gold Dots, and it is a fine weapon. Right Now I am shooting it with Noveske/Troy irons, but am looking at avoid variable scope to mount it on I used the 13.2" LaRue hand-guard on a 20" Noveske barreled build. The sight radius of KAC back-up iron sights on the the LaRue 13.2" handguard is approximately 18.5". The sight radius of a standard 20" AR-15A2 upper is approximately 20". http://www.box.net/shared/static/ehx5fqi6je.jpg While zeroing the KAC BUIS at 50 yards for an Improved Battlesight Zero I turned in the 10-shot group pictured below; which is about as good as my eyes can shoot with the standard size post and aperture of the AR-15 iron sights. http://www.box.net/shared/static/tkx89mi1st.jpg http://www.box.net/shared/static/lahxs5ev5e.jpg ..... Are the KAC 600m sights calibrated for a rifle length FSB or carbine? What cartridge? I took mine to 500 yards and was a little short. The was with the front mounted on a 13" rail and wolf gold. 
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| I have this barrel in my 3 gun rifle and it is a shooter. When I zeroed it at 50 yds all 10 shots were covered up by a dime no problem. Very accurate barrel so far. I would love to see what it would do at 2-300 with something besides 55 gr fmj and a tr24 maybe some 69 bthp and a 4-16 or 5-20. |
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I have this barrel in my 3 gun rifle and it is a shooter. When I zeroed it at 50 yds all 10 shots were covered up by a dime no problem. Very accurate barrel so far. I would love to see what it would do at 2-300 with something besides 55 gr fmj and a tr24 maybe some 69 bthp and a 4-16 or 5-20. Give the Federal 69 and 77 grain Gold Medal Match ammunition a try. ... |
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Quoted: Give the Federal 69 and 77 grain Gold Medal Match ammunition a try. ... Quoted: Quoted: I have this barrel in my 3 gun rifle and it is a shooter. When I zeroed it at 50 yds all 10 shots were covered up by a dime no problem. Very accurate barrel so far. I would love to see what it would do at 2-300 with something besides 55 gr fmj and a tr24 maybe some 69 bthp and a 4-16 or 5-20. Give the Federal 69 and 77 grain Gold Medal Match ammunition a try. ... Same Noveske barrel @ 100yds with Federal 77gr Gold Medal Match  |
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With barrels, more than just about any other component of an AR-15, you get what you pay for. Buy once, cry once. ... Quoted:
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I am glad I invested in a Noveske SPR complete upper when I did. $1400 was a hurt in the wallet, though. With barrels, more than just about any other component of an AR-15, you get what you pay for. Buy once, cry once. ... AR barrels are very often made around cost rather than quality. |
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AR barrels are very often made around cost rather than quality. Quoted:
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I am glad I invested in a Noveske SPR complete upper when I did. $1400 was a hurt in the wallet, though. With barrels, more than just about any other component of an AR-15, you get what you pay for. Buy once, cry once. ... AR barrels are very often made around cost rather than quality. And quality AR barrels cost!
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WOW. Half MOA? There are some bolt guns, like the Accuracy International that guarantee a 1/2 MOA. A gas gun shooting 1/2 MOA is awesome. Great thread! As always. 
The 1/2 MOA group was actually the control group for the ammunition used in the test. The Noveske barrel had a 10-shot group average extreme spread of 0.81". ... |
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N133 for light bullets? N140 for the heavies? I've used N540 with 75 grain Hornady bthp match loads @ 23.5 grains through my Winchester M70 HVV with excellent accuracy (1/9). Quoted:
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Impressive indeed! What powder were you using? https://app.box.com/shared/static/m3rs7go6u7.jpg .... N133 for light bullets? N140 for the heavies? I've used N540 with 75 grain Hornady bthp match loads @ 23.5 grains through my Winchester M70 HVV with excellent accuracy (1/9). IIRC I was able to get higher velocities with N540, but accuracy was better in my barrels with N135 and N140. ... |
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Great post as always. You should have your own sub-forum here Somewhere in the stickies or perhaps Arfcom 101, there is a thread dedicated to compiling Molon's findings. It's a little outdated, but here's the link . . . Collected Posts by Molon ... Here's the new link . . . http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/693858_Molon_Reference_Links_2016.html .... |
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