10-08-2019, 01:38 PM (This post was last modified: 10-08-2019, 01:40 PM by kcb38.)
This is an AR that has about 200 rds through it. It's an FN chf chromed barrel from PSA. I wasn't real happy with the way it was shooting (1.5" with premium ammo and 3+ with Federal bulk ammo), so I decided to have a look at the bore. These marks are in the first and last 6 inches of the barrel. The rifling in the middle of the barrel looks good.
So should I keep shooting and see if it gets better? Maybe work on it a little with bore paste and see what that does? Call PSA and see what they have to say? What do you think? [ATTACH=CONFIG]14759[/ATTACH]
I'm not good at interpreting interior barrel marks, but will offer this comment...
Chrome lining a barrel is not so much for accuracy as for durability, since the chromium layer is - relatively speaking - thick and hard to keep uniform, when compared to a stainless polished barrel, or even to a nitrided barrel (and for nitriding, its value will depend on how smooth the barrel surface was before application, it is however only a few microns thick, basically infused down into the surface, so much easier to keep smooth than chrome).
You're already an extra - what, $100-$200 extra into this one due to the ammo shot plus the cost of the barrel, if you can find an acceptable use for it fast, then ok. Otherwise I'd suggest looking into a better barrel that will shoot pretty much out of the gate. I got rid of even a couple of moderately-good barrels b/c they weren't getting up to speed, found some better ones. And the next one I do, if I do one, will be at least a Lilja for the same reasons.
Anyway, that's my thinking.
We are too soon old and too late smart. I'm definitely in this boat!
"Down the floor, out the door, Go Brandon Go!!!!!"
This rifle is not intended to be a match rifle but I'm hoping to get a little more out of it than I have so far. My other ARs shoot bulk ammo at 2" or better and around an inch with good stuff. Granted, they have BA barrels rather than factory mil spec ones but I still think there's room for improvement on this one. I'm not opposed to replacing this barrel if I have to but that would kinda suck since it's essentially new. I don't know what kind of accuracy guarantee PSA has if any. I bought this thing a few years ago and it's been in the safe since then. They do say they're warranted to be free of defect or poor workmanship though so who knows?
mdram Wrote:your accuracy is normal from the ones i have read
Hmm, I see what you mean. Like I was saying, I bought this thing a few years ago. There were a couple small issues (canted sight, etc). Instead of fixing it, PSA sent me this one. The original was significantly more accurate so I expected the same kind of performance from the replacement. I'm starting to think maybe that first one was a fluke.
kcb38 Wrote:Hmm, I see what you mean. Like I was saying, I bought this thing a few years ago. There were a couple small issues (canted sight, etc). Instead of fixing it, PSA sent me this one. The original was significantly more accurate so I expected the same kind of performance from the replacement. I'm starting to think maybe that first one was a fluke.
remember its CHF, which is the fastest, cheapest way to make a barrel.
i have no proof, but i put them low on the accuracy cart, and repeatability for manufacturing
kcb38 Wrote:If I replace it, I will definitely consider selling it to recoup some of the cost. I was eyeballing yet another BA (Aero) barrel if I go that route: https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/556-20-...cmv-barrel
Nice barrel sure wish it said 5R, only thing missing. It has the QPQ
It's a hassle free option for sure. I could pick any barrel but then I'd have to get the fsb installed. This one's got their 1 moa guarantee and has all the goodies installed already. I may start watching for a sale...
go look at their BA stuff on armorally.com, lots of times it's a way better price.
unless you're going really retro, get a free-floating one, even one with fluting (lighter but still plenty stiff).
Tough to pass up! joebob's has low-price but decent handguards.
"Down the floor, out the door, Go Brandon Go!!!!!"
I'll keep them in mind. They don't seem to stock the one I posted but they do have the 20" Gov't profile for $140. I'd have to get the FSB installed on that one. Might be worth it though.
Late to the conversation but this seems to be a common thread over the years. Shooters expecting better results from cheap barrels. If you can get 1.5-MOA through a cheap chrome barrel then there's nothing wrong with it...It is what it is.
The AR is the cheapest high-power, centrefire on the market. It's a light-weight, auto-loader. If you want almost as good as heavy, bolt gun potential then you have to buy the type of barrel they use; stainless, match, hand lapped and pony-up for the cost.
They might accept it back but morally I don't think they should.
10-08-2019, 09:55 PM (This post was last modified: 10-08-2019, 09:59 PM by kcb38.)
Klem Wrote:...Shooters expecting better results from cheap barrels. If you can get 1.5-MOA through a cheap chrome barrel then there's nothing wrong with it...It is what it is.
They might accept it back but morally I don't think they should.
Honestly the only thing I expected was for this one to shoot as well as the one I bought. I regret returning it. When I didn't see similar accuracy I started looking for the reasons why, which brought me to the bore with the funky chatter or tool marks in it. Not having much experience with that kind of thing I posted it up here because I've always gotten good advice from you guys. I don't expect sub MOA but I don't think 3+ with factory ammo cuts it these days either.
That being said, I'm finding out that my results are pretty typical when it comes to these barrels so I don't think mine is a special case even with the bore looking like it does. There weren't many reviews of these things before I bought one so I could only compare it to what I had. Now that I know a little more, I don't expect them to take it back a second time. I'll chalk it up to experience and replace it if I decide I can't live with it.
ETA: I don't know if I mentioned it but the first one went back because of a canted fsb and a couple other issues.
I'm definitely in this boat!
