View Full Version : I'm absolutely lost on what barrel to go with...Noveske, DD, Centurion...
Stopsign32v
12-03-21, 19:34
So I don't want to skimp on my build. Been waiting years and a day to get my hands on a Geissele lower to make a build and ended up with a receiver set! So now I'm torn on what barrel to get for the build. It will be a pinned 14.5 barrel and I want something around $300 or so. It will be a blaster that occasionally will get some match hand loads and a 1-6x scope. Maybe 300 yards work but nothing crazy. Mostly a 50-100 yards steel blaster.
Options so far are:
https://centurionarms.com/barrels/midweight-hammer-forged-barrel-midlength/
https://danieldefense.com/14-5-5-56mm-1-7-gov-profile.html
https://www.primaryarms.com/noveske-14-5-afghan-5-56mm-stainless-barrel-nv07000054
https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/barrel-parts/rifle-barrels/14-5-m4-socom-barrel-assembly-with-sight-tower-prod71337.aspx
Two more to look at.
https://criterionbarrels.com/products/ar-15/ar-15-ultralight-barrel-carbine-gas-chrome-lined/
https://www.admmfg.com/ar15-barrel-adm-contour-nitride-223-wylde
titsonritz
12-03-21, 20:12
https://criterionbarrels.com/products/ar-15/ar-15-ultralight-barrel-carbine-gas-chrome-lined/
If going with Criterion I'd go with a Core Series mid-length (https://criterionbarrels.com/products/ar-15/ar-15-core-series-mid-length-gas/?v=7516fd43adaa). Thinking about their 13.9" myself.
titsonritz
12-03-21, 20:18
https://www.primaryarms.com/noveske-14-5-afghan-5-56mm-stainless-barrel-nv07000054
For this type of barrel I'd go with a Centurion Arms RECCE 14.5" (https://centurionarms.com/recce-barrel/)
Stopsign32v
12-03-21, 20:25
Two more to look at.
https://criterionbarrels.com/products/ar-15/ar-15-ultralight-barrel-carbine-gas-chrome-lined/
I've read bad things about their customer service if you have a problem. So I'm going to avoid them for now...
Stopsign32v
12-03-21, 20:26
For this type of barrel I'd go with a Centurion Arms RECCE 14.5" (https://centurionarms.com/recce-barrel/)
That's a new one on me! And I like it! Put that one up near the top.
None of those barrels are in stock and never really are. You’re gonna have to sign up for email notifications and be fast if you’re ever going to get one.
Me? I shoot complete Colt 6920 barrels off the arfcom EE for $200 and have zero issues. Seriously. A 6920 barrel free floated is easily 99% of any of those barrels for your application.
None of those barrels are in stock and never really are. You’re gonna have to sign up for email notifications and be fast if you’re ever going to get one.
Me? I shoot complete Colt 6920 barrels off the arfcom EE for $200 and have zero issues. Seriously. A 6920 barrel free floated is easily 99% of any of those barrels for your application.
I was going to say something similar. During this supply chain mess, you're going to have to choose between what is available, which may or may not be very different than what you want. In this case, there are numerous manufacturers that make a great barrel, start with what's in-stock and sort it out from there. Don't be afraid to also look for barreled uppers as I've seen some manufacturers assembled uppers in-stock during the last 18months where stripped barrels were nowhere to be seen.
Check out Black River Tactical (BRT) I have a few of their barrels. They are top notch and price is right. I have a Noveske CHF and it shoots very similar but with less gas in your face. I also believe that Clint is a sight sponsor on this forum.
Two more to look at.
https://criterionbarrels.com/products/ar-15/ar-15-ultralight-barrel-carbine-gas-chrome-lined/
https://www.admmfg.com/ar15-barrel-adm-contour-nitride-223-wylde
ADM barrels are either Criterion themselves or Rosco, they do not manufacture their own barrels.
So I don't want to skimp on my build. Been waiting years and a day to get my hands on a Geissele lower to make a build and ended up with a receiver set! So now I'm torn on what barrel to get for the build. It will be a pinned 14.5 barrel and I want something around $300 or so. It will be a blaster that occasionally will get some match hand loads and a 1-6x scope. Maybe 300 yards work but nothing crazy. Mostly a 50-100 yards steel blaster.
Honestly, this is not a big ask. I have DD, Criterion, Rosco, Ballistic Advantage, BCM (FN CHF), and 50-100 of decent accuracy from 50-100 is fairly easy to obtain from all of them. If I was building a 50-100 to maybe 250-300 yard gun, I would do a PWS 11.85 build or a BCM 12.5 barrel. Anything 13.7 or longer should be able to get out to 500 fairly routinely. You should build for capability first and figure out what that is.
Primary Arms has Triarc track 2.0 barrels in stock. 13.9, 14.5, 16.
Stopsign32v
12-04-21, 11:09
Primary Arms has Triarc track 2.0 barrels in stock. 13.9, 14.5, 16.
I've read of these but know nothing about them. Don't know why but I'm wanting to stick with big name brands.
Check out Black River Tactical (BRT) I have a few of their barrels. They are top notch and price is right. I have a Noveske CHF and it shoots very similar but with less gas in your face. I also believe that Clint is a sight sponsor on this forum.
I'll second BRT-
https://blackrivertactical.com/WP/BRT-14-5-OPTIMUM-Hammer-Forged-Chrome-Lined-Barrel-p234204113
If you're not in a rush, I'd email Centurion Arms. I was looking for their 11.5 FBI barrels, and could never find them in stock. I emailed them asking if they had an estimate of when they'd be back. Not surprisingly, the answer was that they didn't know because of all the supply chain issues.
But, a few months later Corrie emailed me out of the blue saying they had a few back in stock. By that point I pretty much forgot about them and gave up, but I was shocked they remembered me. I ended up getting them, and while I haven't been able to shoot them yet, they look as well made as everything else they make. I can't think of any way their CS can get any better.
If you're not in a rush, I'd email Centurion Arms. I was looking for their 11.5 FBI barrels, and could never find them in stock. I emailed them asking if they had an estimate of when they'd be back. Not surprisingly, the answer was that they didn't know because of all the supply chain issues.
But, a few months later Corrie emailed me out of the blue saying they had a few back in stock. By that point I pretty much forgot about them and gave up, but I was shocked they remembered me. I ended up getting them, and while I haven't been able to shoot them yet, they look as well made as everything else they make. I can't think of any way their CS can get any better.
No one in the industry has better CS than Centurion Arms. I have purchased several lowers and a couple of uppers from them over the years. Currently Corrie knows that I am waiting for a particular upper to come in stock. She has promised me an email when it does. They are simply fantastic people, with excellent products. Great to do business with.
Here's another alternative, although 16" barrel, not 14.5. However, it's within your budget and you get a very nice trigger included. And unlike some of your other choices, it's currently available. https://www.larue.com/products/larue-accuracy-package/
And LaRue barrels tend to be shooters, so it can get you out to 300 yards and beyond.
Or you can pick up an SPR barrel from White Oak Armament although again it will be 16". I think they run about $275 and are probably back ordered. But the barrel will be a hammer.
Stopsign32v
12-04-21, 21:59
Not interested in a 16"
duroSIG556R
12-05-21, 07:04
ADM barrels are either Criterion themselves or Rosco, they do not manufacture their own barrels. It states on their website: ADM .223 Wylde Barrels by Criterion Barrels Inc feature 1/8 twist, .223 Wylde chambered, 4150 CMV (chrome moly vanadium) steel, Nitride finish
ExplorinInTheWoods
12-07-21, 21:04
I’m sour on Criterion right now. I have a 308 barrel and it groups pretty decent but it was super under gassed. I had an adjustable gas block opened all the way up. I had to take it to a Smith to get him to open it up to run. I emailed criterion and they never responded. I wasn’t trying to get a refund but at least let them know their port was small. It was I think .072 and I had it opened to .083 the Noveske stainless barrels are awesome albeit pricey. Ballistic advantage is good for the money and triarc seems to put out a good barrel
I’m sour on Criterion right now. I have a 308 barrel and it groups pretty decent but it was super under gassed. I had an adjustable gas block opened all the way up. I had to take it to a Smith to get him to open it up to run. I emailed criterion and they never responded. I wasn’t trying to get a refund but at least let them know their port was small. It was I think .072 and I had it opened to .083 the Noveske stainless barrels are awesome albeit pricey. Ballistic advantage is good for the money and triarc seems to put out a good barrel
What kind of ammunition were you shooting? I've seen AR-10's set up to shoot 168g Match malfunction with 150 FMJ.
It states on their website: ADM .223 Wylde Barrels by Criterion Barrels Inc feature 1/8 twist, .223 Wylde chambered, 4150 CMV (chrome moly vanadium) steel, Nitride finish
They use Rosco in their "Duty" series, Bloodline I believe, but I know that they have a partnership of some kind for sure
https://www.admmfg.com/ar15-barrel-556mm
I’m sour on Criterion right now. I have a 308 barrel and it groups pretty decent but it was super under gassed. I had an adjustable gas block opened all the way up. I had to take it to a Smith to get him to open it up to run. I emailed criterion and they never responded. I wasn’t trying to get a refund but at least let them know their port was small. It was I think .072 and I had it opened to .083 the Noveske stainless barrels are awesome albeit pricey. Ballistic advantage is good for the money and triarc seems to put out a good barrel
Interesting, my ADM 308 has a Criterion Barrel (16 inch) but is also rifle length and is gassed perfectly, are you running a Mid or intermediate? I don't group as well with 147-150gr but the 168 match in that barrel is more accurate than I'll ever need. 175gr Nosler seem to wiggle a little bit in that every 5th round likes to jump around, but that could also be me.
So I don't want to skimp on my build. Been waiting years and a day to get my hands on a Geissele lower to make a build and ended up with a receiver set! So now I'm torn on what barrel to get for the build. It will be a pinned 14.5 barrel and I want something around $300 or so. It will be a blaster that occasionally will get some match hand loads and a 1-6x scope. Maybe 300 yards work but nothing crazy. Mostly a 50-100 yards steel blaster.
Options so far are:
https://centurionarms.com/barrels/midweight-hammer-forged-barrel-midlength/
https://danieldefense.com/14-5-5-56mm-1-7-gov-profile.html
https://www.primaryarms.com/noveske-14-5-afghan-5-56mm-stainless-barrel-nv07000054
https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/barrel-parts/rifle-barrels/14-5-m4-socom-barrel-assembly-with-sight-tower-prod71337.aspx
I'll tell you what, I have built with and seen others and those BA pencil barrels at 14.7 are lights out accurate. For an AR 'blaster' with occasional match loads, you can definitely 'get more with less' here
but if you need to spend the extra coin, none of those would be on my list as I'd find the wilson 14.7 ss and use that.
Stopsign32v
12-09-21, 19:40
No mention of FN CHF barrels???????????
PSA uses them and well......I don't care for PSA
No mention of FN CHF barrels???????????
I used to favore a 14.5 barrel by spikes which was a fn chf barrel but they are hard to get which led me to the BA. Not to mention, chf isn't the end all be all and there are advantages and disadvantages to both button and chf most of which no one here will be impacted by. I mentioned earlier the BA 14.7 pencil barrel and I swear those barrels are lights out shooters.
If you're not in a rush, I'd email Centurion Arms. I was looking for their 11.5 FBI barrels, and could never find them in stock. I emailed them asking if they had an estimate of when they'd be back. Not surprisingly, the answer was that they didn't know because of all the supply chain issues.
But, a few months later Corrie emailed me out of the blue saying they had a few back in stock. By that point I pretty much forgot about them and gave up, but I was shocked they remembered me. I ended up getting them, and while I haven't been able to shoot them yet, they look as well made as everything else they make. I can't think of any way their CS can get any better.
I have one of their 14.5” and it will be worth the wait. And, they are great people.
They use Rosco in their "Duty" series, Bloodline I believe, but I know that they have a partnership of some kind for sure
https://www.admmfg.com/ar15-barrel-556mm
Yeah ADM makes the Rosco upper receivers for them as well. And Rosco provides ADM with their duty barrels. This from what Rosco said on their YouTube channel.
Based of what you are looking for I would go with the DD. In my experience you can beat the hell out of them and they will always come back to 1.5 MOA with production ammo. With hand loads they can be sub MOA.
m1a_scoutguy
12-13-21, 17:03
I just received a In Stock notification last week and grabbed one of these. Plenty of love for SOLGW around here so maybe that's a option for you in the 14.5 choices. Still in stock at the moment (18) ! https://www.bigtexordnance.com/product/solgw-14-5-combat-5-56x45-barrel/
Stopsign32v
12-13-21, 20:10
I just received a In Stock notification last week and grabbed one of these. Plenty of love for SOLGW around here so maybe that's a option for you in the 14.5 choices. Still in stock at the moment (18) ! https://www.bigtexordnance.com/product/solgw-14-5-combat-5-56x45-barrel/
I'm sticking with big name brands. If anything for the placebo effect.
m1a_scoutguy
12-13-21, 20:20
I'm sticking with big name brands. If anything for the placebo effect.
Yea I hear ya. I kinda was thinking SOLGW was a well respected/quality product. But I get it, we "ALL" want that top shelf or what we dream is top shelf and typically have our head set on it ! In the long run we rarely if ever live up to our thoughts and or use of our intended rifle/project me, included, LOL Enjoy the journey and we expect a full report & pic's when its finally done ! :D
have seen some roscoe barrels of the same recently. Isn't solgw using roscoe? I thought I saw that but am not sure
Larue barrels tend to shoot pretty well, especially for the cost. I have 4 in various builds and they will all outshoot my FN, DD and my Noveske barrels.
They make a 14.5.
I'd recommend a Colt SOCOM barrel. 4150CMV and chrome lined vs SS so you get a little better life. I've had a handful and all have been shooters. Here's a 10 shot group fired off bags at 100yds using 62gr Speer Gold Dot and a TA11 (3.5X) ACOG:
https://i.imgur.com/oc7RMcR.png
I'm sticking with big name brands. If anything for the placebo effect.
Its roscoe I believe
I'd recommend a Colt SOCOM barrel. 4150CMV and chrome lined vs SS so you get a little better life. I've had a handful and all have been shooters. Here's a 10 shot group fired off bags at 100yds using 62gr Speer Gold Dot and a TA11 (3.5X) ACOG:
https://i.imgur.com/oc7RMcR.png
Absolutely! Great barrels! I ran out of my stash and am trying a FN one now on a throw away. I'll report performance after this weekend
Interested to hear how the fn compares in the accuracy department.
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