PSA Barrel quality

[imaguy3]

Does anyone have any experience with these barrels? I'm wanting to go a little longer than my 16" BA Hanson and not seeing much in stock.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-18-r...48715.html

[Old Bob]

Don't know what you're barrel budget is but Wilson Combat has 20" & 22" barrels in stock for $304.95.

20" barrel: https://shopwilsoncombat.com/BARREL-65-G...RCRG20FT8/

[VASCAR2]

I have PSA barrels and they have been gtg in 5.56/223. With a rack grade barrel it is luck of the draw on accuracy but PSA has a good warranty. If you figure the cost of ammo if you get a lemon you’ve spent enough money with the cost of ammo you shot to buy a higher quality barrel. Quality barrels usually shoot a wider variety of ammo accurately and usually don’t need to wear in before they shoot good groups.


I bought a PSA 12” Nitride pistol kit with a complete upper in 6.5 Grendel. It functioned 100% and was accurate but a forum member was looking for a pistol upper and I sold it. I had purchased a 12” Green Mountain 6.5 Grendel Monster barrel and assembled an upper. I didn’t need two 12” uppers so I sold the factory assembled upper. The PSA stainless steel 6.5 Grendel barrels have been getting good reviews.

[Mesa1978]

i have one in 6.5 Creedmoor from them, in stainless, as part on an upper they assembled. It's a 1 MOA barrel with handloads about 75% of the time, heavy in weight for how it performs. cleans up like any other rack grade barrel. When it comes time to rebarrel, I might consider another one if the price is right, given I have other options that deliver better accuracy. I should add that using a muzzle/magnet bore sight was a waste of time due to concentricity problems.

[lazyengineer]

Mixed. I've had 1 MOA experiences, or even better. And I've had less good. For the money, they can't be beat. My biggest complaint is they are still fixated on the goofy A2 profile, so the weight balance isn't really as good as it can be. I'd advise looking at FAXON, if you want a good low-cost barrel (if they have what you want). I've been quite pleased with FAXOn, in my limited usage.

[Happy2Shoot]

I'm wanting to go a little longer than my 16" BA Hanson

Not sure I would bother with only adding 2 inches. The velocity difference is small. Here is a magazine article with 16" vs 20" velocity values. Even 4" isn't much gain.

https://www.rifleshootermag.com/editoria...tion/84008


6.5 Grendel Velocities

Factory Ammo 20" 16" **delta**
100 gr. Alexander Arms Berger OTM 2,847 2,723 **124**
120 gr. Alexander Arms Barnes TSX 2,551 2,494 **57**
120 gr. Alexander Arms Nosler BT 2,600 2,535 **65**
120 gr. Wolf MPT 2,541 2,445 **96**
123 gr. Alexander Arms Lapua Scenar 2,627 2,523 **104**
123 gr. Hornady A-MAX 2,582 2,463 **119**

[imaguy3]

Not sure I would bother with only adding 2 inches. The velocity difference is small. Here is a magazine article with 16" vs 20" velocity values. Even 4" isn't much gain.

https://www.rifleshootermag.com/editoria...tion/84008


6.5 Grendel Velocities

Factory Ammo 20" 16" **delta**
100 gr. Alexander Arms Berger OTM 2,847 2,723 **124**
120 gr. Alexander Arms Barnes TSX 2,551 2,494 **57**
120 gr. Alexander Arms Nosler BT 2,600 2,535 **65**
120 gr. Wolf MPT 2,541 2,445 **96**
123 gr. Alexander Arms Lapua Scenar 2,627 2,523 **104**
123 gr. Hornady A-MAX 2,582 2,463 **119**

yea that's kind of where I've been struggling. I'm getting 2450 out of my 16 and it shoots sub moa out to 500 with ease. After 600 though it all falls to ish... I was hoping a little extra velocity could get me to 800 more consistently.

According to strelok, at 600 now my velocity is 1600 and at 800 it's 1350.

[SDW]

That PSA barrel looks to have a funky profile. Patterned after the M16-A2 barrel? I don't know why anyone would want that profile today, especially for a 6.5 Grendel.

[Rosecrans1]

I have two PSA barrels. They shot crappy at first but after repeated shots and cleaning, both shoot under 1 MOA with a multitude of different grain and brand bullets BUT..............................I shot 200+ rounds to get to where the barrel won't shoot any better.
Now, take all those rounds and look at the money fired through it and you'll find that the PSA barrel isn't the bargain it professes to be.
When I bought my upper and individual PSA barrel, they were considerably cheaper too. They don't come with the cheap price tag anymore! Then consider the money to buy factory rounds if you don't reload and you should seriously consider a better quality barrel.
I can't profess to say that current PSA barrels are any better or worse than my much older hardware from them. Don't buy rack grade barrels if you really want an under MOA shooter. Spend the extra cash you would spend on extra ammo and time at the range. Buy the best barrel you can get and if you don't have it, save up for it.

[SDW]

Don't know what you're barrel budget is but Wilson Combat has 20" & 22" barrels in stock for $304.95.

20" barrel: https://shopwilsoncombat.com/BARREL-65-G...RCRG20FT8/

That 22" barrel is calling to me, even though I don't need it. I already have a 20" DMR barrel'd upper that I'm satisfied with. But a nice, fluted 22" bull barrel... sounds kinda cool.

[myrifle]

Brownells has faxon barrels instock as of last night.

I just ordered one yesterday, it's due to be delivered today. 16 inch gunner profile under 250 with shipping. Theyhad 16 and 18 inch barrels in stock yesterday.