Pencil barrels

[Basscar38]

Planning on building a true 16” with pinned/welded muzzle devise. Looking for thoughts ideas on barrels.
Right now leaning toward Faxon 14.5” pencil with pinned/welded brake.
Any thoughts ideas would be great. Thanks

[Pappabear]

I bought a 16 inch pencil. Skinniest barrel I have ever seen. It shot horrible for the first couple hundred rounds but now it shoots 1.0-1.5 MOA after a heavy break in period. Be prepared to spend a few bucks breaking it in.

PB

[CPM]

I bought a 16 inch pencil. Skinniest barrel I have ever seen. It shot horrible for the first couple hundred rounds but now it shoots 1.0-1.5 MOA after a heavy break in period. Be prepared to spend a few bucks breaking it in.

PB

I would be shocked if that break in period had anything to do with the thickness of the barrel walls.

[AR-n-Ky]

I think Faxon is an excellent choice. They offer a 14.5" barrel with either three prong or break, factory installed.

As a matter of fact, this is going to be my next barrel for my WWSD type built.

I have a Faxon Firearms 10.5" pencil barrel on my SBR built and it is easily a 1.5 MOA barrel. With Hornady America Gunner 55gr. HP bullet, it has turned in a few under that. This barrel has also turned in groups under 2" with Lake City M193.

Besides Faxon Firearms making an accurate barrel, their pencil weight is one of, if not the thinnest/lightest barrels out there. So, in my opinion it's the best of both worlds. Light and accurate.

[elephantrider]

after a heavy break in period. Be prepared to spend a few bucks breaking it in.

Was that a Faxon, or a nitrided barrel? Was the 'heavy' break-in just more rounds down the barrel, or was it also additional cleaning?

[feraldog]

my preference for the last 40 years has been pencils. and faxon pencils are fine.

[PrarieDog]

No knock against Faxon. Have a BCM pencil barrel in 16". Great barrel. 1.5 moa. Chrome lined cut rifle average barrel but shoots well for what t is.

[titsonritz]

I think Faxon is an excellent choice. They offer a 14.5" barrel with either three prong or break, factory installed.

It should be noted these factory installed pinned/welded muzzle devices are low profile and will allow installation and removal of a .625" gas block without removal of the MD. This will be the barrel I use for my next LW build.

[hk_shootr]

The Bravo Company 14.5” ELW fluted barrel was my choice. It’s a great shooter, no break in needed.
The BCM barrel is 20 ounces, chrome bore
The Faxon barrel is 17.5 ounces, nitride bore

Both use a .625” gas block, the BCM barrel is about $80 more.

[Basscar38]

Thanks for the ideas and advice. Gotta do some more looking now.