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Posted: 2/26/2026 1:54:14 PM EDT
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Have an SBR lower that isn't being used currently, was seeing that 6MM ARC performs pretty well in shorter barrels similiar to grendel. I was going to try and build out an upper with around a 12.5 in. barrel for shooting out to 615 yards max. Heavier profile preferred. I am picky about accuracy. I don't see a ton of barrel options and even less that are in stock. I run Bartlein in my most accurate AR, but the only Batleins I saw in quick search were almost 800 bucks, thats a little steep for me. I see the noveske crusader running around 500 bucks which is the top contender at the moment, just looking for people with time behind some of the barrels out there that can steer me in the right direction. |
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I am very happy with my 12.5" Centurion Arms. It does seem to have a tight chamber, so I am working through brass sizing issues for it, but I have shot several .7"-.9" 5 round groups with it. Another option would be a barrel from MTE Machining. They seem to be turning out nice barrels. ETA: Revival Defense has the CA barrels in stock and I believe there are coupon codes out there. |
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Originally Posted By spyderboy03: I am very happy with my 12.5" Centurion Arms. It does seem to have a tight chamber, so I am working through brass sizing issues for it, but I have shot several .7"-.9" 5 round groups with it. Another option would be a barrel from MTE Machining. They seem to be turning out nice barrels. ETA: Revival Defense has the CA barrels in stock and I believe there are coupon codes out there. I ended up getting the noveske. Should be here this week. Cost 500 but thats with a bolt and pinned gas block. So realistically more like 350 for the barrel, which honestly aint terrible. We will see how it does. Curious to see how it punches at 600 yards. |
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Originally Posted By FoxValleyTacDriver: I ended up getting the noveske. Should be here this week. Cost 500 but thats with a bolt and pinned gas block. So realistically more like 350 for the barrel, which honestly aint terrible. We will see how it does. Curious to see how it punches at 600 yards. I just shot steel with mine out to 550 for the first time since building it. It definitely smacked the steel harder and was quite fun. |
MyNameIsGladiator
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Barrel came early last night and the only ammo locally was hornady black. So I just zeroed went straight for some distance. Man it made that easy. I was shooting with a fast cadence and slapping the ever living shit out of a 14 inch steel target at 615 yards. A good chunk of the shots seemed to be within 7 inches or so. And that's shooting off of a backpack, no bags, and a standard mil-spec trigger. Waiting on another larue MBT to come in the mail. I'll order some ELDs before I shoot groups but so far I'm happy. I was a little skeptical at how well it would do out of a 12.5 at that distance but I can tell it still has decent energy left. Should do exactly what I wanted it to. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By FoxValleyTacDriver: Barrel came early last night and the only ammo locally was hornady black. So I just zeroed went straight for some distance. Man it made that easy. I was shooting with a fast cadence and slapping the ever living shit out of a 14 inch steel target at 615 yards. A good chunk of the shots seemed to be within 7 inches or so. And that's shooting off of a backpack, no bags, and a standard mil-spec trigger. Waiting on another larue MBT to come in the mail. I'll order some ELDs before I shoot groups but so far I'm happy. I was a little skeptical at how well it would do out of a 12.5 at that distance but I can tell it still has decent energy left. Should do exactly what I wanted it to. |
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Is this normal wear for a 6mm arc bolt? The corner of this lug is peened after only a couple boxes of ammo. Ive got a bcm 556 bolt with about 5k rounds on it and no peened lugs. Noveske bolt that came with the barrel Attached File |
| I’ve seen unusual bolt lug wear on uppers that did not have a square receiver face. This can adversely affect bolt life and is probably exacerbated by the larger diameter case and case head. If the barrel extension is not clocked properly for alignment it can contribute to uneven bolt wear on the bolt lugs. |
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Originally Posted By FoxValleyTacDriver: Is this normal wear for a 6mm arc bolt? The corner of this lug is peened after only a couple boxes of ammo. Ive got a bcm 556 bolt with about 5k rounds on it and no peened lugs. Noveske bolt that came with the barrel https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/285899/1000045588_jpg-3726354.JPG My faxon bolt with a rexus barrel does not have that wear. |
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Originally Posted By HobbitHunter: My faxon bolt with a rexus barrel does not have that wear. There's no alignment issues, I'm assuming there must have been a burr in the extension or debris that was knocked out the first round. Noveske offered to replace the bolt which is nice. |
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Originally Posted By FoxValleyTacDriver: There's no alignment issues, I'm assuming there must have been a burr in the extension or debris that was knocked out the first round. Noveske offered to replace the bolt which is nice. Originally Posted By FoxValleyTacDriver: Originally Posted By HobbitHunter: My faxon bolt with a rexus barrel does not have that wear. There's no alignment issues, I'm assuming there must have been a burr in the extension or debris that was knocked out the first round. Noveske offered to replace the bolt which is nice. Nice! I'd take them up on it, and keep an eye on the new bolt's wear. |
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I want to try some other barrels out now, been bit by the 6mm arc bug MTE machining seem like good people. They are getting alot of attention and are pushed out to a 14 week wait time but are expanding equipment to meet demand I'd consider a proof but they don't make a 12.5, only 14.5 and above. Still may try one anyways Anyone ever hear of Precision Firearms? They have Criterion blanks they are chambering for 6mm arc. Which may be decent for the price Craddock is out of stock of their RTR's, and their Bartlein barrels are 700-900 bucks. God damn, I thought my CLE Bartlein was expensive when I paid 500 for it. Still one of the best barrels I own but Idk about paying an extra 40-45% for it. Looks like craddock wait time is around 10 months atm also |
| The rainier ultra match barrels are apparently chambered by craddock and in the past used rock creek blanks. Which would mean they are the same as craddock RTR barrels. But they are out of stock, Rainier match barrels I'm not sure who makes the blanks. At only 260 bucks its probably green mountain or something. They guarantee MOA from those but I doubt it. |
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Saw some good reviews in a few places. But a 30+ week lead time it looks like. |
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Originally Posted By FoxValleyTacDriver: . . . .Anyone ever hear of Precision Firearms? They have Criterion blanks they are chambering for 6mm arc. Which may be decent for the price I tried to buy a barrel from them a few years back. I eventually had to do a chargeback to get a refund after a litany of missed delivery dates. My experience is not unique. |
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Originally Posted By cttb: I tried to buy a barrel from them a few years back. I eventually had to do a chargeback to get a refund after a litany of missed delivery dates. My experience is not unique. Interesting, I saw them recommended in a few places, I just bought a barrel from them that was already made in stock. I'm guessing someone backed out after they started making it. See how long it takes them to ship an already made barrel I guess. If they don't I know how to chargeback... |
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I had a precision firearms criterion in 6.5G a few years back. Tried maybe a dozen factory match loads and lever could get better than 1.5-2" groups. Hopefully mine was a dud. I also just got a Rainier Match (not ultramatch) in .308 and it thus far has done about 3.5 MOA with 150gr norma ball and 2.2-2.3 MOA with 175gr norma match. Just got some new ammo to try to see if it'll be capable of better. I just got a proof 6arc barrel, but that project is a few months from being done. I wish WOA made 6arc and .308 barrels because my SPR barrel from them shoots 1/2 MOA groups with the hornady ammo it likes best. |
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Originally Posted By broy_jenkins: I had a precision firearms criterion in 6.5G a few years back. Tried maybe a dozen factory match loads and lever could get better than 1.5-2" groups. Hopefully mine was a dud. I also just got a Rainier Match (not ultramatch) in .308 and it thus far has done about 3.5 MOA with 150gr norma ball and 2.2-2.3 MOA with 175gr norma match. Just got some new ammo to try to see if it'll be capable of better. I just got a proof 6arc barrel, but that project is a few months from being done. I wish WOA made 6arc and .308 barrels because my SPR barrel from them shoots 1/2 MOA groups with the hornady ammo it likes best. We shall see. Precision firearms barrel is shipped and on the way. Not sure who makes the match for Rainier. The ultramatch barrels are supposedly criterion chambered by craddock. WOA used to turn them for rainier but when craddock left WOA to start his own business he took the rainier business with him. I would try proof but I want 12-12.5 barrels and the shortest they sell is 14.5 and you cant chop it because its intermediate length gas. Without a re contour. Anyways curious to see what these will do. I have high hopes for the RTR, those are supposedly rock creek blanks. I have some very accurate sub moa barrels turned from rock creek blanks. |
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Originally Posted By broy_jenkins: I had a precision firearms criterion in 6.5G a few years back. Tried maybe a dozen factory match loads and lever could get better than 1.5-2" groups. Hopefully mine was a dud. I also just got a Rainier Match (not ultramatch) in .308 and it thus far has done about 3.5 MOA with 150gr norma ball and 2.2-2.3 MOA with 175gr norma match. Just got some new ammo to try to see if it'll be capable of better. I just got a proof 6arc barrel, but that project is a few months from being done. I wish WOA made 6arc and .308 barrels because my SPR barrel from them shoots 1/2 MOA groups with the hornady ammo it likes best. I had a PF Grendel and wasn’t impressed with it either. |
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Originally Posted By doty_soty: I had a PF Grendel and wasn’t impressed with it either. Was it a criterion blank? Expectations will start low then. Edit: PF barrel arrived today. Will test this weekend. Everything looks as it should. See how it shoots. Attached File |
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