Most precise (and durable) ligthtweight Faxon barrel for recommendation

[R2BRO]

Supposedly less bullet deformation, better accuracy and easier to clean with the “R”

Okay...here are the facts for now:

• Given the "easier to clean, better accuracy, less bullet deformation" fact, i feel that I *would like* true 5R
  
• 5R 416 Steel is *not* available with Faxon currently...
  
• I do not want to pay over $350 for barrel (some day I'll get that Lilja or JP probably, but right now im not ready to cash out $750)
  

Given the above facts.. what are other options there for me?

1. still go with BA barrel which is 5 but no "R"?... so they *guarantee* subMOA... but then again i kinda like perks of 5*R*
   uh...the BA sale ends tomorrow evening so I need to decide soon :/
   
2. Or go with the 18" 416 Steel Faxon 5R barrel?
   https://faxonfirearms.com/match-series-1...extension/
   ^
   can above barrel also do subMOA?
   BUT... darn...then I will not have 20"
   (does anyone has any measured data on how much bullet velocity is lost for 18" vs 20" length? say for... 123gr SST? I'd appreciate that!)
   Can I shoot effectively 1km with 18" just as I would with 20"?
   

I'm now puzzled... anyone knows another brand who makes 416 Steel subMOA 5R grendel barrel for ~$350-ish

[Londerko]

I think your looking at about 50fps difference between an 18” and 20”.
If the polygonal rifling is really important to you I would check out Black Whole Weaponry. They do a 3R polygonal rifling that’s suppose to be stupid accurate and achieves extra FPS from the riflings. Good deals on surplus ammo or true sporting arms. But it is a 264LBC, so be sure to get the correct bolt.
My BA 6.5 barrel cleans SUPER easy, almost like it was hand lapped, as someone said earlier. So far at 100yds its shooting American gunner under 1”, Hornady Black at .75” and handloaded 123 elds at close to .5” all 5 shot groups.

[Wargrendeleagle]

Well to be fair, faxon doesn't guarantee submoa because there are so many factors that effect the accuracy that doesn't even have to do with the barrel. But if there is an issue with the barrel when you shoot it, I assure you they will make it right. They were great helping me out trying to straighten out headspace issues.

[R2BRO]

Bolt? I have Grendel Type II Toolcraft BCG. so? it wont work? if it wont then I dont want that barrel

[R2BRO]

Londerko, can you give me load info and primer you use to get 0.5MOA from that barrel? ANd what is measured speed? (if you measured of course)

[Londerko]

Correct, you don’t want a 264lbc barrel if you already have a type 2 bolt.
I didn’t realize you already had one, sorry
The bolt you have, is the same one I’m running in my BA 6.5 barrel I described

[Londerko]

28.2 gr of IMR8208 with a hornady 123 ELD-M. OAL of 2.26”. CCI 450 primer and hornady brass
Haven’t shot it over a chrono yet, but it’s probably knocking on the door of 2500fps with my 18”
PS 28.5 shot almost as good, actually 4 of 5 were under .5” but that 1 flyer made it an inch.
I may try that one again to see if it was me or the load lol

[R2BRO]

Also, Londerko aside from your load powder and weight i wanna know: Did you check GO/NOGO gauge with that toolcraft bolt with that BA barrel? Does it pass both GO and NOGO? (My BCA barrel doesnt close on GO gauge with Toolcraft BCG lol... i assume its fault of barrel not BCG)

[Londerko]

I did not

[R2BRO]

OK I'm about to watch new episode of Vikings movie and after that decide if i wanna buy 18" 5R Faxon or 20" BA 5(no-R)

[Londerko]

WWRD
(What Would Ragnar Do?)
😂😂😂
Let us know what you decide

[R2BRO]

sure! >:]

hmm i dont see IMR8208 in my Hornady reloading manual 10th ed. for that bullet... ? where did you get this load?

[R2BRO]

And one more last question... lol
with that BCG and barrel combination, is your brass coming out nicely and not damaged/tortured on the butt?

[Londerko]

I got it off here in the “6.5 grendel preferred loads” sticky thread it’s one of the most common loads for the Grendel, i think

[Londerko]

Looks ok so far...
Slight ejector swipes at 28.5, primers look good.
And just so you don’t think it’s all sunshine and flowers.... another member on here bought a BA the same time I did and he wasn’t so lucky, he sent back his first barrel (which they warrantied) and he’s on his 2nd barrel and it’s shooting better, but I don’t think as good.
I think I got a good one

[R2BRO]

uhhh... darn lol

ok so.... I feel that I need more time to think about this I just cant make decision yet

[Londerko]

Not trying to steer you away from them.
Just a forewarning that not all are perfect
Mine is shooting well and I am happy with it.
And obviously start below those loads when you work them up for your rifle
Yours may be significantly different
Good luck
-Leo

[GjGary]

I have a 18 " & 20" BA fluted barrels and a Faxon 20" match. I would buy another BA barrel before a Faxon.
I have 3 different types of bolt carriers and love the toolcraft for the money.
If u buy the barrel from armoally they give another 5 bucks off the toolcraft bolt.
I am running 8208 with 120-123gr projectiles at 27.7-27.7gr.
Love the accuracy from 8208 in all 4 of my grendels.

[tracker12]

The 18” faxing barrel I got on the group buy shoots lights out. Would not replace it with anything

[BKKJ]

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.

I'm looking closely at that 20" Gunner. Under 2 lbs, Rifle Gas, 20", AND can be had under $200. I just wish the GB journal was 1.1" like their pencil barrels. Post something up once you get more time with it. I'm especially interested groups and in velocity numbers.