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Deciding on a 14.5" Barrel - Printable Version

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Deciding on a 14.5" Barrel - radar97 - 01-17-2023

I've fully committed to ditching my 18" Ballistic Advantage SPR Grendel barrel in lieu of one shorter and lighter. It has shot well for me but it's too heavy and long especially with a suppressor. I'm now trying to decide on a 14.5" pin and weld to replace it. Having a difficult time choosing between the SixFiveOutfitters and Six Sigma Lilja. Obviously, there are lots of good things to read about Liljas here and elsewhere, and from what I have gathered the SixFive barrels seem to be good to go. I'm not a bench rest shooter or anything of the sort but accuracy is pretty important. I probably won't shoot enough paper to know just how accurate the Lilja is but I like knowing the rifle has a lot of potential. I'm pretty much just using this rifle for hunting inside 350 yards max (possibly not even that far.) I've read that the higher-end barrels usually shoot well right out of the gate while the lower-end barrels take time to. One thing I like better about the SixFive barrel is the mid-length gas compared to the carbine length on the Lilja. Also, I couldn't find the weight for the 14.5" Lilja.

Also, anyone with a pin&weld feel free to voice your opinion or pros/cons. I know it's semi-permanent, so I'd like to get this right the first time. I don't want to sbr this lower but I'm wanting it to be handy with a suppressor. I know 12.5" would be ideal but that'll be for another time. 16" could still in the running but I'm selling myself on the 14.5"


Deciding on a 14.5" Barrel - JASmith - 01-17-2023

Regarding pin and weld -- ask yourself if you really need a muzzle brake.

A 16.25 in barrel works well and will give less muzzle blast.

Less expensive too.


Deciding on a 14.5" Barrel - radar97 - 01-17-2023

It’ll be suppressed 99% of the time. I already run Dead Air’s Xeno system on all my rifles along with my Nomad 30. I haven’t shot any of them unsuppressed since I got the can.


Deciding on a 14.5" Barrel - JASmith - 01-17-2023

Then the 14.5 inch barrel will work fine!


Deciding on a 14.5" Barrel - Bonas - 01-18-2023

14.5" pinned and welded is a good call for suppressed over 12.5" given the current foolishness from the ATF. In fact, I'm considering ordering a 14.5" Douglas blank finished by Compass Lake for out of state hunting. I'm of the view that due to current Grendel ammo prices, you'll eat up more in ammo breaking in the barrel and finding a good-shooting load than you could ever "save" on a lower-priced barrel. With ammo in the $1.00 round range, there's no money to be saved with low-cost barrels. Go top shelf.


Deciding on a 14.5" Barrel - radar97 - 01-18-2023

Bonas Wrote:14.5" pinned and welded is a good call for suppressed over 12.5" given the current foolishness from the ATF. In fact, I'm considering ordering a 14.5" Douglas blank finished by Compass Lake for out of state hunting. I'm of the view that due to current Grendel ammo prices, you'll eat up more in ammo breaking in the barrel and finding a good-shooting load than you could ever "save" on a lower-priced barrel. With ammo in the $1.00 round range, there's no money to be saved with low-cost barrels. Go top shelf.

Just what I needed to hear!


Deciding on a 14.5" Barrel - LRRPF52 - 01-18-2023

13.7”-13.9 work too if your goal is to have a 16” OAL barrel and you’re willing to compromise a little on compactness/balance.

LaRue also made a SUURG upper for this purpose.

Wait times are unreasonably long to provide an immediate solution.