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Posted: 3/19/2007 6:34:57 PM EDT
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I'm going to replace my 16" M4 carbine upper (chromoly 1:9) with something a bit more accurate. I've shifted from short range wolf-plinking to reloading and longer range shooting with heavier bullets. But I'd still like to be able to plink and shoot offhand on occasion, so weight and durabillity are issues. I'm down to two barrel choices: CMMG SPR 18" chrome lined 1:8 w/ 5.56 chamber or Bushmaster predator 20" chromoly fluted 1:8 w/ wilde chamber (purchased as a barrel w/ bolt) The price between the builds are similar but I have few questions are running around my head. First, which will be heavier? I pointed the 24" bushmaster at the local gun shop and that thing is not exactly a run and shoot unit. Everything else being equal, what will be the comparison between the predator and SPR during offhand shooting? Will the fluting make up for the extra 2 inches? Second, accuracy. How much less accurate is the SPR than the predator (making an assumption that the chrome lined 18" with plain 5.56 chamber will be less accurate)? Third, what if I decide to plink through a case of wolf for the hell of it? Having trouble weighing the durabillity of the chrome lined barrel vs the attributes of the SPR. Kick me off the fence. |
| everything else being equal. an 18" will theoretically be more accurate than a 20" because it's stiffer if they are the same contour. you could always use a faster powder if your worried about 80 fps. Most chrome lined bbls are not as accurate. I would get a custom bbl rather than a production bbl. WOA or Accuracy Speaks, Or Krieger if you have the money. most production bbls I've shot are good for about 1" groups at 100 yds. All of the customs I have will shoot 5/8 or better. Not a big deal at 100 but at 600 it is a huge differance. |
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I guess my only concern about a custom barrel is life-span. Even if I don't go shoot 1K wolf (an extreme example), if I can only afford one rifle I'd want some degree of durabillity. I suppose at $255 or so for a WOA SPR, I shouldn't worry about the life-span and just rebarrel if needed. At the current price of ammo, that should not be too soon. Thanks for the repies. |
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