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Posted: 12/24/2013 10:47:22 AM EDT
Long time reader here, first time actually posting. 
I am currently in the process of building my first rifle, and am at a bit of a crossroads... I figure that many of you have either been here before, or just generally know a bit more about parts, manufacturer reputation, etc. I've done a lot of research on barrels, and think I'd like to go with a nice stainless barrel of either 16" or 18" (leaning towards 18" b/c I may build an SPR style). My problem specifically is determining what barrel (in terms of accuracy) is worth the money, considering I may spend a pretty penny on optics. I've heard more than enough good about Noveske to justify a purchase, but I also found a BCM barrel that piques my interest because it's Ionbond Black, and a little more affordable. So... Would I be better off saving and buying a SS Noveske barrel or... Are BCM SS barrels similar enough to justify saving $100 (and getting it sooner)? The barrel I found is here: Click -G |
| Thanks for the input, there are definitely a lot of decent choices out there. I do have another question though, with regard to stainless steel barrels. Most come in a light colored stainless finish. This may sound odd considering I'm most interested in stainless, but I'm sort of afraid an all black rifle may look silly sporting a light barrel. How do I get a matte black finish on a Noveske/Rainier barrel if I decide it would look better. Can you order them that way? I prefer a factory finish, as I don't have the equipment required for a Cerakote/spray job. |
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Unless you are a top notch shooter and accuracy nut you will spend a lot more money for the Noveske barrel and gain nothing out of it, especially if you shoot anything other than match grade ammo, and unless you are an experienced shooter you more than likely will not have the ability to shoot as well as the barrel does anyway. There is a whole lot more to accuracy than just what barrel you use.
Take the best shooter on the 3 gun circuit or the best bench rest shooter you can find and give them a run of the mill rifle with a $200 barrel, and then you with the most expensive gee-whiz barrel you can buy. I guarantee you they will clean your clock with their $200 barrel and have you wondering WTF happened with your over the moon barrel. I have all sorts of barrels from Pac-Nor Super Match air gauged down to YHM and the BCM barrel you mentioned and the edge I see with the SM Pac-Nors is minimal at best, and the gap between them gets smaller every year now that the hair is getting thin and the years are getting long. Unless you are taking the barrels into bench rest shooting and shooting only the most accurate ammo you can buy or load, spending the money on the super expensive barrels is just a way of bragging "I have the most expensive rifle at the range," even if I cannot shoot to half the barrels ability. I cringe and just want to bitch-slap the shooter every time I see someone with a really nice barrel ripping off shot after shot with no regard to accuracy or to burning out their throat, shooting until the barrel is smoking hot. They could do the same thing and get the same kind of accuracy with a $150 barrel, but then they would not be able to brag about how much they have invested in their rifle. If I only had a nickel for every time I have met someone at the range boasting about their $1,000 barrel on their $3,000 rifle and how it will shoot one hole groups at 100 yards, only to see them turn in groups nowhere that and cannot even be covered by a quarter, then start making all kinds of excuses for why their barrel isn't shooting that day, I would not have to worry about outliving my retirement. |
Big-Bore, the point you make is a good one, and it does make me feel better about splurging on the BCM barrel. I definitely don't want to be that noobie type, as I understand that there is more to accuracy than what barrel you use. This will, however, likely be my only AR build, and I cannot rule out bench rest shooting, especially knowing that I'm going for an accuracy-driven SPR style rifle. With that said, I'm primarily a pistol guy, and you are the one with the experience. If you think at this point I'm flushing $$$ down the toilet by not letting go of the glorious Noveske, let me know.
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Quoted:
Big-Bore, the point you make is a good one, and it does make me feel better about splurging on the BCM barrel. I definitely don't want to be that noobie type, as I understand that there is more to accuracy than what barrel you use. This will, however, likely be my only AR build, and I cannot rule out bench rest shooting, especially knowing that I'm going for an accuracy-driven SPR style rifle. With that said, I'm primarily a pistol guy, and you are the one with the experience. If you think at this point I'm flushing $$$ down the toilet by not letting go of the glorious Noveske, let me know. Only? Yeah, that's what I said after my first.. "This is the only one I need..." Now I trip over them in my house. I don't even know how many I have. :( I don't need a Noveske either.. never cared if I ever got one. I shoot for "slightly above average". |
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Only? Yeah, that's what I said after my first.. "This is the only one I need..." Now I trip over them in my house. I don't even know how many I have. :( I don't need a Noveske either.. never cared if I ever got one. I shoot for "slightly above average". So this totally isn't helping my case with the pricey barrel, but I say this is my only build because I'm more or less selling my kidneys to make it happen... ...been running around the house looking for things to eBay to fund my build... 
I'll stop talking now... |
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A lot of barrels and pricing come in to play on the process to make and the blanks used.
I've had some uber spendy barrels that I never had shoot any better than my mid priced ones. I'd budget 250 for a barrel and recommend if your looking for a SPR the Daniel Defense s2w barrel, or Rainier. There are plenty of other great barrels but 2 I have had good results with. |
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i say buy what your heart desires. if ya want that tricked out noveske barrel, then go for it! its your money. theres nothing wrong with having an awesome barrel, just practice practice practice and learn how to be a great shooter. I wouldnt want the weapon of choice to be the limiting factor of how well you shoot. Im a believer of buying the best of the best....(the biggest and the best, the fastest, etc) LOL
Im in the middle of building my first AR as well, and i have my eye on the rainier arms ultra match grade 18" barrel. May not be the ''best'' but from what ive read its a damn good barrel. Can i out shoot that barrel? Fuck no. am i gonna aimlessly shoot round after round in the middle of my 400 acres, shooting at anything any everything? Fuck yea. I'll bench rest it too and see how well i can shoot with it as well. Enjoy your first AR build. I know I sure am. |
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I've managed to talk myself out of blowing another $100 by getting that BCM barrel I linked above, but just like Rainier and Noveske, the problem right now is availability. I've heard that some of these really treasured items sell out in a number of minutes when people find out they are back in stock... Hope that ain't the case. Is there anywhere else to find this barrel other than directly from Bravo?
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Quoted:
Unless you are a top notch shooter and accuracy nut you will spend a lot more money for the Noveske barrel and gain nothing out of it, especially if you shoot anything other than match grade ammo, and unless you are an experienced shooter you more than likely will not have the ability to shoot as well as the barrel does anyway. There is a whole lot more to accuracy than just what barrel you use. Take the best shooter on the 3 gun circuit or the best bench rest shooter you can find and give them a run of the mill rifle with a $200 barrel, and then you with the most expensive gee-whiz barrel you can buy. I guarantee you they will clean your clock with their $200 barrel and have you wondering WTF happened with your over the moon barrel. I have all sorts of barrels from Pac-Nor Super Match air gauged down to YHM and the BCM barrel you mentioned and the edge I see with the SM Pac-Nors is minimal at best, and the gap between them gets smaller every year now that the hair is getting thin and the years are getting long. Unless you are taking the barrels into bench rest shooting and shooting only the most accurate ammo you can buy or load, spending the money on the super expensive barrels is just a way of bragging "I have the most expensive rifle at the range," even if I cannot shoot to half the barrels ability. I cringe and just want to bitch-slap the shooter every time I see someone with a really nice barrel ripping off shot after shot with no regard to accuracy or to burning out their throat, shooting until the barrel is smoking hot. They could do the same thing and get the same kind of accuracy with a $150 barrel, but then they would not be able to brag about how much they have invested in their rifle. If I only had a nickel for every time I have met someone at the range boasting about their $1,000 barrel on their $3,000 rifle and how it will shoot one hole groups at 100 yards, only to see them turn in groups nowhere that and cannot even be covered by a quarter, then start making all kinds of excuses for why their barrel isn't shooting that day, I would not have to worry about outliving my retirement. Well said |
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Quoted:
Unless you are a top notch shooter and accuracy nut you will spend a lot more money for the Noveske barrel and gain nothing out of it, especially if you shoot anything other than match grade ammo, and unless you are an experienced shooter you more than likely will not have the ability to shoot as well as the barrel does anyway. There is a whole lot more to accuracy than just what barrel you use. Take the best shooter on the 3 gun circuit or the best bench rest shooter you can find and give them a run of the mill rifle with a $200 barrel, and then you with the most expensive gee-whiz barrel you can buy. I guarantee you they will clean your clock with their $200 barrel and have you wondering WTF happened with your over the moon barrel. I have all sorts of barrels from Pac-Nor Super Match air gauged down to YHM and the BCM barrel you mentioned and the edge I see with the SM Pac-Nors is minimal at best, and the gap between them gets smaller every year now that the hair is getting thin and the years are getting long. Unless you are taking the barrels into bench rest shooting and shooting only the most accurate ammo you can buy or load, spending the money on the super expensive barrels is just a way of bragging "I have the most expensive rifle at the range," even if I cannot shoot to half the barrels ability. I cringe and just want to bitch-slap the shooter every time I see someone with a really nice barrel ripping off shot after shot with no regard to accuracy or to burning out their throat, shooting until the barrel is smoking hot. They could do the same thing and get the same kind of accuracy with a $150 barrel, but then they would not be able to brag about how much they have invested in their rifle. If I only had a nickel for every time I have met someone at the range boasting about their $1,000 barrel on their $3,000 rifle and how it will shoot one hole groups at 100 yards, only to see them turn in groups nowhere that and cannot even be covered by a quarter, then start making all kinds of excuses for why their barrel isn't shooting that day, I would not have to worry about outliving my retirement. Pefectly put. I have used just about every barrel on the market. I would never waste the money on a Noveske. You can buy a barrel from ESS Solutions for under a 100 bucks that will shoot Sub MOA. I was at the local range the other day testing some 300 blackout uppers. Next to me some internet commando with a Noveske was doing mag dumps and shooting a lot of dirt. Of course he was shooting Tula out of his $3000 rifle. I just shake my head and smile. |
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Quoted:
Unless you are a top notch shooter and accuracy nut you will spend a lot more money for the Noveske barrel and gain nothing out of it, especially if you shoot anything other than match grade ammo, and unless you are an experienced shooter you more than likely will not have the ability to shoot as well as the barrel does anyway. There is a whole lot more to accuracy than just what barrel you use. Take the best shooter on the 3 gun circuit or the best bench rest shooter you can find and give them a run of the mill rifle with a $200 barrel, and then you with the most expensive gee-whiz barrel you can buy. I guarantee you they will clean your clock with their $200 barrel and have you wondering WTF happened with your over the moon barrel. I have all sorts of barrels from Pac-Nor Super Match air gauged down to YHM and the BCM barrel you mentioned and the edge I see with the SM Pac-Nors is minimal at best, and the gap between them gets smaller every year now that the hair is getting thin and the years are getting long. Unless you are taking the barrels into bench rest shooting and shooting only the most accurate ammo you can buy or load, spending the money on the super expensive barrels is just a way of bragging "I have the most expensive rifle at the range," even if I cannot shoot to half the barrels ability. I cringe and just want to bitch-slap the shooter every time I see someone with a really nice barrel ripping off shot after shot with no regard to accuracy or to burning out their throat, shooting until the barrel is smoking hot. They could do the same thing and get the same kind of accuracy with a $150 barrel, but then they would not be able to brag about how much they have invested in their rifle. If I only had a nickel for every time I have met someone at the range boasting about their $1,000 barrel on their $3,000 rifle and how it will shoot one hole groups at 100 yards, only to see them turn in groups nowhere that and cannot even be covered by a quarter, then start making all kinds of excuses for why their barrel isn't shooting that day, I would not have to worry about outliving my retirement. Awesome. Simply Awesome. |
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I have a chrome lined Criterion hybrid contour 18" barrel with a rifle length gas port Wylde Chamber 1-8 twist...It's so good I'm buying another from Brownells. Criterion is a spin-off of Krieger Barrels and come in various configurations and are hand lapped for accuracy and value priced. Since you're apparently a scope guy like me the hybrid contour saves weight. I owned 'em all including the infamous Black Star barrels and the Criterion is a keeper.
There are currently some great 20" barrels in stock and you cannot beat Brownell's money back guarantee...Criterion Barrels... |
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I've owned both Noveske and BCM barrels, but they were not stainless. I really like the BCM BFH barrels and use a 14.5" as my primary home defense weapon. As for 18" stainless barrels for an "spr" type build I have 2 black hole weaponry barrels. I'm very happy with both of them. I would consider myself a good, but not great shooter and I have shot one miracle 1/2" 5 shot group at 100 yards with my spr using a black hole weaponry barrel and 69 grain gold medal match ammo. I believe that shows what the barrel is capable of even though I haven't yet been able to dublicate that. I do have a target I used for the moa all day challenge using 5 targets on a single sheet of paper where I shot 5 consecutive 5 shot groups with an average a hair under 1" moa at 100 yards.
I do think some barrels get overrated a bit on here especially considering a lot of people here own high end stuff that never actually gets shot. 18" black hole weaponry barrel in stock |
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I am in the same boat as the OP. I'm planning my 1st upper build. I already have a rifle from PSA. I want to build something for longer range and more accuracy. I'm looking at the .223 Wylde 18". I am interested in the Hybrd contour from Brownell. Does this contour just reduce the weight when compared to the HBAR?
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this may be worth looking in to:
http://www.lothar-walther.com/473.php |
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