First Build Questions

[schrödinger's cat]

Hi, I've been looking to build a precision AR that is accurate at 1000 yards and I found this forum. After looking around a little I decided I'd like to be part of this community
I guess I'll update this thread with all my questions because this will be my first build.
Firstly do you guys think this is the best AR15 caliber to reach 1000 yards for a newbie ? I know there will be lots to learn and it's very difficult to shoot anything at that distance, and I don't want to make it harder by having a sub optimal caliber. (Yes I know a bolt gun is a better way to start) realistically I won't get many opportunities to shoot at 1000 yards because I believe the longest range in NJ is 600 yards so I'd have to travel to PA.
Next, I'd like to get a 24" - 26" bull barrel. Are there any barrels under $350 other then the blackholeweaponry barrel that I should be looking at ?
TIA, and thanks for having me here.

[VASCAR2]

You can look at J&T Distributing who offer several stainless steel 6.5 Grendel. Another barrel in that price range would be from Brownell's.

I can get to 1000 yards with my 20" Shilen at 350' above sea level and still stay supersonic.

[schrödinger's cat]

I saw the doublestar barrel, but a 24" bull barrel for $187 sounded a little cheap for long range accuracy. Are they as good as BHW barrels ?

[JASmith]

With the username "schrödinger's cat" one might suspect you have an understanding of the difficulty of making measurements without changing the outcome!

[schrödinger's cat]

Also would you recommend the Brownells barrel (liberty - Saturn) with a bolt and medium contour for $299 or the BHW bull barrel with polygonal rifling for $270 ?

[VASCAR2]

You have to take into consideration some barrels come with matching bolt. J&T/Double Star will sell barrel alone or with the bolt which of course adds to the price. Brownell's barrel comes with matching bolt. The BHW barrels do not generally include the bolt so you need add $50-$80 for a bolt which you have to purchase from a seperate vendor.

I know a couple people who bought Stainless Steel 6.5 Grendel barrels from J&T and they are satisfied. Only downside to the J&T barrels is they are 1:9 twist whereas some people like 1:8 twist as they plan on shooting 139-140 grain bullets. The 1:9 twist probably isn't optimum for the heavy bullets. My 1-9 twist barrels are accurate with bullets from 85-123 grains. I personally have not tried to shoot any of the heavier 6.5/.264 bullets.

If I were choosing between Brownells and BHW I'd probably buy a BHW barrel with SAAMI 6.5 Grendel chamber and 1:8 twist even if it cost more.

[schrödinger's cat]

Thank you VASCAR2, does anyone else have a recommended barrel in this price range for long range accuracy ?

[204 AR]

I will second BHW. I have an 18" 1-9 twist from them that's almost 1/2 moa with 100 gr amax. Plus several other barrels from them that are just as good, and another on the way in 243 lbc.

For what you want I would go 1-8 like was suggested, 24" bull from BHW. There are never any guarantees where accuracy is concerned but that's where my money would go.

[LRRPF52]

Criterion from Precision Firearms at that price range.

[schrödinger's cat]

Thank you LRRPF52

[bwaites]

Over time I have discovered that 2 things almost never go together, extreme accuracy and "budget"! If I were attempting a budget accuracy build, I would probably select a Criterion barrel as LRRPF suggests, or I would see if I could come up with a good Black Hole barrel. However, I would not expect either to have the accuracy of a Lilja, Shilen or Bartlein. A 24" Bartlein would probably be my first choice, with either of the other two a very close second. What you pay for with the more expensive barrels is consistency....you can EXPECT that any of those 3 will be accurate. You will occasionally get lucky and have a Criterion, Black Hole, or some other barrel that is very accurate, but you can't expect that they will be anywhere near as consistent barrel to barrel as you can Shilen, Lilja, or Bartlein.

[KentuckyBuddha]

You can even get lucky with ER Shaw barrels (I have in past with .223 anyway). I have two in grendel that I have not fired and until I do they are both extremely accurate and not at all accurate at the same time. : )

[schrödinger's cat]

Thank you. A person must be in tune with his reality. My 16 year old ford is not a Ferrari, and I can't drive it like one, but I take care of it the best I can ...