Most precise (and durable) ligthtweight Faxon barrel for recommendation

[R2BRO]

So I am looking here:
https://faxonfirearms.com/barrels/ar-15/6-5-grendel/

I am looking also for 20" lightweight barrel for my DMR build which is NOT ~$700 (i know Lilja or PF is best but cant spend that much yet)!
The above page shows two options which are 2lbs.

1) 4150 steel option
2) and 416R steel option

which from above will be more accurate and more durable?
(note that 416R for some reason is $100 more)

[imaguy3]

Well from your link I only see one 20" barrel in stock, this one which is the 4150.. https://faxonfirearms.com/20-gunner-6-5-...0-nitride/

The other one that's 416r is a heavy barrel that's out of stock https://faxonfirearms.com/match-series-2...extension/

In terms of accuracy there's more than just the steel that goes into play.

In terms of durability I'm not sure what you mean? Neither is going to melt or bend unless you do something really stupid with it. If you do constant mag dumps you will damage any barrel, no matter the steel used.

This may answer some questions you have b/t the steels... https://faxonfirearms.com/blog/4150-carb...ht-for-me/

[imaguy3]

I personally have a 16" ballistic advantage barrel and I find it to be accurate. https://ballisticadvantage.com/20-inch-6...arrel.html

[grayfox]

Go to armorally and look at their BA barrel deals (put it in the cart). I have a fluted 20" and it does really well, 33 oz so the weight is good too. They usually have good prices on them. ~@255 or so last time I looked. Sub-moa guarantee and it does this so far for mine.

[VASCAR2]

For durability the Nitride/QPQ will out last an untreated 416R barrel. The Faxon gunner barrel weighs 1.92 pounds. The Match series weighs 1.96 pounds. I personally would consider the Group Buy barrel at 2.4 pounds. Very good price for the GB barrel and bolt.

On a rack grade mass produced barrel I’m not sure you can say a Stainless Steel 416 R Nitride barrel will always be more accurate than a 4150 Nitride barrel. I don’t know if there has been a test for useable barrel life between a Nitride 416R and Nitride 4150 barrel. My gut says the Nitride 4150 might last a little longer. Stainless Steel is easier to machine and generally produce accurate barrels with proper QC.

I think in your situation you need to concentrate on weight/profile in relation to price you prefer. I really don’t think you can state which barrel is going to be the most accurate barrel.

With rack grade barrels it is luck of the draw. Some barrels are just better, and if you want to ensure your getting top accuracy you need to buy a higher end barrel. An accurate barrel will shoot almost any ammo accurately. Some rack grade barrels are picky about what they’ll shoot accurately and some just produce poor accuracy.

I have two group buy Faxon barrels, a 16” & 18” and I am completely satisfied but I’m a hobbyist and not a top tier shooter. I say buy what you think you’ll like at the price which fits into your budget.


http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthrea...149-12-161

[CitizenThom]

I'm impressed with the first results on the 20" 4150 barrel from faxon with an odin works atlas comp/brake on the end. It was the most accurate I've ever been shooting from a standing position... which was just to check cycling on the upper at an indoor range. In the next month or two I'll get to shoot it at farther targets, and confirm that it stays accurate and tight.

[R2BRO]

@grayfox

that looks really interesting!
I am looking here:
https://www.armorally.com/shop/ballistic...mr-barrel/
^
is this a 5R rifled barrel or no?

thanks

[grayfox]

yes 5R. mine was as shiny as a handlapped one, I think that's what they say about 'em. smooth putting a swab thru it.

[R2BRO]

@grayfox,

I also ordered rifle gas tube and this gas block:
Aero .750 Gas Block

is that gas block correct one for this barrel, right?

[Londerko]

BA barrels have 5R riflings???

[R2BRO]

Londerko, it is not or what?

[41bear]

BA barrels have 5R riflings???

That's my question also as I was told that they were not 5R but regular 6/button rifling. 5R can be had with Faxon, X-Caliber, and 3R/5R with ARP in the price range stated.

Plus our very own Monster GB, of course.

[Londerko]

Ive never herd that they are
And I don’t see any info out there to make me believe they are...
So I would be interested to hear where you herd that.
Don’t get me wrong, I have a BA barrel and am very happy with it.
But if they are 5R it’s news to me

[imaguy3]

I have a BA barrel.. hell I'll count the rifling when I get home. I have never seen 5R in any of their descriptions though. Personally I don't think it matters all that much so I wouldn't worry about putting that much emphasis on having it if I were you. People were shooting bug hole groups long before 5R came out.

[grayfox]

OK, I need to clarify. I emailed with BA back in August as I was looking at their barrels, and strictly speaking they are not 5R.... but they are 5 groove button rifled barrels, according to their rep.

Quote.
"Hi John,
No problem. They are not 5R. 5R is a style of rifle, we use on the .300 blackouts. The 6.5 barrels are 5 groove button rifled barrels."
Close quote.
From Kyle Ware of bamfg.com, 8/21/18 email.

The "R" designation, I think, refers more to the geometry of the rifling ridge itself, more polygonal or sloped. So theirs are not sloped like that but are a 5-groove setup. Hope this clears up the question. Sorry for any misunderstanding.

[Londerko]

Ya the “R” is the way the lands is cut, that’s what makes it unique.
The 5 is simply the number of rifleings
Supposedly less bullet deformation, better accuracy and easier to clean with the “R”
If that was my thing I’d probably look at BHW for the price, they do a polygonal rifeing of there own that is supposed to be crazy accurate. But they do a 264lc, and it’s a 3 groove i believe, so it’s like a 3R???

[RobertFL]

My 6.5 Grendel rifle has a 16" Faxon match grade Gunner barrel. 5R, Nitride QPQ, 416 stainless steel. I have only fired 60 or 70 factory rounds.. So far I am happy with it. I'm not the best shot, using a cheap Caldwell 7 rest I am getting .75" and tighter groups at 100 yards with Hornady 123 SST store bought bullets.

[grayfox]

A good, well-cut barrel will shoot regardless if it has 5, 6 or whatever lands. There is a slight deformation advantage for offset (odd-nbr) grooves due to not squeezing the bullet between two opposing lands, at least that's the marketing. Possibly true, but the real difference is in how accurately the grooving is made and how well the inside is polished (or not).

I do tend to like the 5-groove barrels; however...
My Creed criterion barrel is a 6-er and it shoots sub-moa out to 600 yds... so there ya go. I'm happy with all my boys right now.

[Londerko]

A good, well-cut barrel will shoot regardless if it has 5, 6 or whatever lands.

I agree with you
But to answer R2BROs specific question, No Ballistic Advantage barrels are not 5R
If that is something you were wanting i hope you were able to cancel your order in time. But I’m sure it’ll shoot well, I’ve been happy with mine
-Leo

[Sinclair]

I had a book titled 'the bullets flight from powder to target' written by a Dr. Mann during the early years of the 20th century. He conducted meticules experiments and published the results. My book was a faxbcimily with marginal notes by the famous Mr. Pope. Mr Pope said that the very best barrels as in the most accurate were either 5 or 7 groove and hand lapped with a taper from the breech to the muzzle. Hmm, I do not believe that 5R barrels are hand lapped, but they are 5 groove. Has anyone knowledge of a comparison between conventionally rifled barrels and the 5R ones. I believe that some National Match barrels are 5 groove, do not know if the are 5R or not. Comments welcomed and appreciated, after all most of us are in search of that elusive perfect score/rifle barrel.