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Posted: 8/11/2016 10:34:42 PM EDT
| Do you guys believe there is a sweet spot between accuracy and durability or can you have both. If so what would be the barrel that can do both. |
| Some materials wear faster than others. Some polish better than others. I believe that barrel accuracy has more to do with the consistent quality of the manufacturer than the material the barrel is made from, ie stainless or chromoly. I also think that is why nitriding has become so popular. It gives manufacturers the ability to produce an accurate barrel with a treatment that improves durablility without the potential side affects of accuracy loss. Each person has to decide where their accuracy vs. durability threshold is. For me, I like a good CMV barrel with QPQ nitride. It strikes the balance that suits me. |
| With today's technology any quality barrel, whether chromemoly or stainless, is going to be both durable and accurate. Chromemoly barrels should be either chrome lined, or nitride treated. Years ago, nitrideing would have made an accuracy difference. But with today's manufacturing technology, they really are even. I do prefer nitrideing myself, as I believe it is is more durable overall. I believe a barrel that is manufactured in one location, in the United Stares, is going to deliver outstanding performance. And again, I want to stress that high quality does not mean the most expensive, or the most popular! Or what a bunch of military personnel are using. Because they still use FN THE MOST! |
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Cost still has a major effect on the overall decision. We get a lot of boutique builders who wait months to snag the ultimate barrel and are willing to spend extra for it. In the meantime the frugal builder has put together a decent milspec or better gun which he's been shooting and has acquired skills with it - for the same money.
There are exotic wall hangers and there are working guns which cost less and get the job done. In the class of rifles and carbines that are used on live targets in the 150 pound class out to 450m then 2moa is all you need. Spending extra for a .5 moa barrel is for something specifically different - a target much smaller or further away, not a "battle" rifle. For the most part which lining or metal treatment you use will be sufficient for durability - it's how frequently you abuse the barrel with rapid and sustained firing mag after mag that has the most impact on barrel life. Just don't - and it will last 50,000 rounds. Even in the military when the barrel loses accuracy it takes up to 6moa to be replaced. And 6moa is a six inch zone on a target at 100m - and field study shows that most aimed shots in combat are usually at less than 125m. That's because the targets are uncooperative and shoot back. Rather than agonize over one barrel or another just commit, and then shoot the difference in price in ammo. You will be the better shooter then, and skill is more important than a sig line full of exotic parts listed to impress other posters. |
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Quoted:
Cost still has a major effect on the overall decision. We get a lot of boutique builders who wait months to snag the ultimate barrel and are willing to spend extra for it. In the meantime the frugal builder has put together a decent milspec or better gun which he's been shooting and has acquired skills with it - for the same money. There are exotic wall hangers and there are working guns which cost less and get the job done. In the class of rifles and carbines that are used on live targets in the 150 pound class out to 450m then 2moa is all you need. Spending extra for a .5 moa barrel is for something specifically different - a target much smaller or further away, not a "battle" rifle. For the most part which lining or metal treatment you use will be sufficient for durability - it's how frequently you abuse the barrel with rapid and sustained firing mag after mag that has the most impact on barrel life. Just don't - and it will last 50,000 rounds. Even in the military when the barrel loses accuracy it takes up to 6moa to be replaced. And 6moa is a six inch zone on a target at 100m - and field study shows that most aimed shots in combat are usually at less than 125m. That's because the targets are uncooperative and shoot back. Rather than agonize over one barrel or another just commit, and then shoot the difference in price in ammo. You will be the better shooter then, and skill is more important than a sig line full of exotic parts listed to impress other posters. VERY well said my friend. My regards. |
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