Ballistic Advantage Barrel Quality

[JohnnyRambo]

I recently purchased a Ballistic Advantage 20" 6.5 Creedmoor SS Barrel and am wondering if anyone else has had similar issues.

Issue #1 - Chamber too tight (see pics)

Chamber will not safely allow a round to be inserted and seated without excessive force. I had to slingshot the bolt to slam it into battery to seat a round in order to fire it to test accuracy. (yes I know this is not safe) When dropped into the barrel the casings sits out over 1/8 inch. I tried 3 different types of ammo to rule out the ammo as I was hoping that was the cause but it's positively the barrel. I had to mortar the casings out. The barrel has since been removed to send back. I inserted a round backwards just to see if it was the area of the casing nearest the primer but it is actually the throat that is out of spec. (Ammo = Hornady 143 ELD-x, Federal AE 140gr OTM, Hornady 120gr Amax)

Issue #2 - Crush washer will not sit against the shoulder. The material in that area was not relieved after the threads. Tech support told me that I had installed the crush washer backwards. Really???
My dealings so far with BA's tech support have been very poor to say the least. That's another story...

Anyhow curious to see if anyone else has had similar issues and if so what happened. This barrel is from a very recent batch that a major distributor currently has in stock (not a public distributor, dealer only) so others might get these barrels as well. But BA does not seem to be concerned about it.

Here are some photos.

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn320/JohnnyRambo10/BA3_zpsg2vagg5j.jpg (http://s307.photobucket.com/user/JohnnyRambo10/media/BA3_zpsg2vagg5j.jpg.html)
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn320/JohnnyRambo10/BA2_zps7x8fenmk.jpg (http://s307.photobucket.com/user/JohnnyRambo10/media/BA2_zps7x8fenmk.jpg.html)
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn320/JohnnyRambo10/BAshoulder_zpsrqaxrzwo.jpg (http://s307.photobucket.com/user/JohnnyRambo10/media/BAshoulder_zpsrqaxrzwo.jpg.html)

[Renegade0100]

Thanks for the notice. I've been thinking of setting up a grendel SPR'ish build lately. Least now I know who not to buy from.

[Leonidas24]

Thanks for the notice. I've been thinking of setting up a grendel SPR'ish build lately. Least now I know who not to buy from.

That's quite an ignorant post.

1. BA doesn't make 6.5 Grendel barrels, they make 6.5 Creedmoor barrels.

2. BA has been around the block long enough to earn a reputation as a quality barrel maker and an OEM supplier to several manufacturers.

OP, I'm sure BA will get you taken care of once you get it sent in.

[docsherm]

I have three and all of them are great. No issues and hold a good grouping. I have have no issues what so ever with their customer service.

[Stickman]

What did they say when you contacted them?

[Todd.K]

The case should be sticking out about an 1/8th of an inch for correct headspace. Without a more precise measurement I don't see anything you can claim is visually wrong.

[ColtSeavers]

Have two builds with their barrels (5.56) that my only possible complaint about would be that that particular type of barrel has no longer been made since their acquisition by Aero.

[Swstock]

BA is actually a great manufacturer. Show them the pic of the brake. I'm sure they will make it right.

[Renegade0100]

That's quite an ignorant post.

1. BA doesn't make 6.5 Grendel barrels, they make 6.5 Creedmoor barrels.

2. BA has been around the block long enough to earn a reputation as a quality barrel maker and an OEM supplier to several manufacturers.

OP, I'm sure BA will get you taken care of once you get it sent in.Well, my apologies then for the mistake. I've never heard of them before and as such, never known of their reputation.

[sadmin]

I have the 12.5 Hanson, SS SPR 18" rifle, and 16"- great barrels with great gas ports. I'm certain it's an anomaly; reach out agin to them OP.


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[JohnnyRambo]

What did they say when you contacted them?


In progress

[JohnnyRambo]

The case should be sticking out about an 1/8th of an inch for correct headspace. Without a more precise measurement I don't see anything you can claim is visually wrong.


I had to slingshot the bcg to slam the round into battery by force (no forward assist) and it will not extract afterwards without having to mortar it to get the stuck casing out. Trust me I tried everything to make it work. I even did this method 25 times hoping that it was just tight and would brake in but each time was the same with no relief. I also wanted to check grouping which was just outside 1 moa with perfect conditions. The last thing I wanted was to put this build on hold after a year of planning it.

[Jessg]

New poster, but I think their customer service is great. I bought a barrel last August and didn't get to shoot it till a couple months ago. Anyway, I couldn't get it to shoot below 2 MOA, so I emailed them, they emailed me back with a couple things to check, and then shipped me a new barrel with a return label for the the barrel I had. Can't beat that in my opinion.

Jess G

[JohnnyRambo]

They did not offer for me unfortunately. I am mailing it myself. But they are going to inspect it and I trust the guy who I am sending it to after speaking with him.

Jess G[/QUOTE]

[ccoker]

I have used several of their barrels and running one on my primary 5.56, all have been good.