So... Recce on a budget, chrome moly barrel?

[Knife_Sniper]

With match ammo, how well does a non chrome lined 16 middy barrel compare to a SS barrel in terms of accuracy?

I always hear that chrome moly is more accurate than the same barrel chrome lined... well how do these barrels compare to current stainless offerings?


Curious minds want to know. :)

Thanks!

[Failure2Stop]

That's a pretty big data pool to answer without more specific questions.
At best you might get some decent data between two similar barrels made by the same manufacturer. The data spread you are targeting with this question could easily wind up comparing the worst nonCL barrel to the finest SS barrel, and vice versa.

[Knife_Sniper]

ok, so let me try a different angle...

Would you feel comfortable with the performance for dollar of a RECCE build with a middle of the road manufacturers (say, RRA) non chrome lined barrel?

I don't expect it would compare to a Noveske SS barrel, but according to many members here you would expect an accuracy improvement from a non chromed barrel vs a chrome lined one.

Any truth to this?

Or more importantly is it practical for the build I am going for?

I know I can save up some coin for a better product, but extra coin is going into other places right now that I feel are pretty important. (school loans, kid on the way, ect)

Thanks again!

[rob_s]

That's a pretty big data pool to answer without more specific questions.
At best you might get some decent data between two similar barrels made by the same manufacturer. The data spread you are targeting with this question could easily wind up comparing the worst nonCL barrel to the finest SS barrel, and vice versa.

Which is unfortunately usually what happens. Those with a sub-par product rant and rave that their non-lined barrel "should be" more accurate, a fact that many are unlikely ever prove or disprove shooting Wolf and XM193 through it.

[Failure2Stop]

Have you tried high-end ammo in your existing gun yet?
What do you want this gun to do and what price range are you looking at?
What optic are you using? Is this a supplemental project or does this gun also need to pull double duty as a go-to gun? What is your current setup and could you simy upgrade it gradually as your budget allows?

Without knowing these and from my perspective I would take a hard look at options such as the BCM offerings.

[USMC03]

I wrote this in another thread a few weeks ago (chrome lined vs. stainless). You may find it useful:


Generally a stainless barrel will be more accurate than a Chrome-Moly-Vanadium (CMV) barrel. Not by a huge margin. One example of many, take a look at the info Molon posted in the link below. Compare the group sizes of the Noveske 16" stainless barrel (0.92" average) to the Noveske 16" N4 barrel (1.24" average): http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=467919 The difference is just slightly more than 1/3" (one third of an inch)

Generally a stainless barrel will have a slightly shorter service life. Don't take this comment to the extreme.


Generally a stainless barrel will be slightly heavier than a CMV barrel.

Weight comparisions:

http://www.03designgroup.com/photo/ar15-upper-receiver-weight-comparisons/icon-ar15-upper-receiver-weight.jpg
03designgroup | AR15 Upper Receiver Weight Comparisons http://demigodllc.com/icon/extwh3.png (http://www.03designgroup.com/technotes/ar15-upper-receiver-weight-comparisons)



Both the 1/8" and 1/7" will shoot 52 grain - 77 grain .223 or 5.56 ammo well. 52 grain - 77 grain is what a majority of AR shooters shoot a majoirty of the time. I shoot local run and gun competition out to 425 yards on smaller than standard targets with both 1/8" and 1/7" barrels on a regular basis. Most of the time I use 55 grain Black Hills Blue Box, Feder American Eagle, Federal XM193, Winchest Q3131A, etc, and I don't have any issues if I do my part.
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=2475 (targets can be seen on page 3 .... you'll also see pics of me shooting a BCM SS410 stainless barreled upper (1/8") and a Noveske N4 mid-length (1/7") on the same page)



A majority of competition shooters favor the 1/8" twist and the stainless barrel. You can't go wrong with either, just depends on what features are most important to you and how you plan on using the barrel.


http://www.03designgroup.com/photo/which-carbine-is-more-accurate/icon-which-carbine-is-more-accurate.jpg
03designgroup | Which Carbine Is More Accurate http://demigodllc.com/icon/extwh3.png (http://www.03designgroup.com/technotes/which-carbine-is-more-accurate)




Hope this helps

[yallknowho]

ok, so let me try a different angle...

Would you feel comfortable with the performance for dollar of a RECCE build with a middle of the road manufacturers (say, RRA) non chrome lined barrel?

I don't expect it would compare to a Noveske SS barrel, but according to many members here you would expect an accuracy improvement from a non chromed barrel vs a chrome lined one.

Any truth to this?

Or more importantly is it practical for the build I am going for?

I know I can save up some coin for a better product, but extra coin is going into other places right now that I feel are pretty important. (school loans, kid on the way, ect)

Thanks again!

dude just get a chrome lined barrel. it's not gonna cost you much more. Save for a couple more months and buy a quality product. I think you will be more sorry later about poor product vs money spent. What's your budget anyway?

[edwin907]

http://bellsouthpwp.net/e/d/edwin907/recon2.jpg

Yep, a $275 WOA SS barrel will guarantee you are the limiting factor in accuracy.
For a Recce, that would be the minimum I would consider.

I went with a Krieger 16", it was 500 with the bolt, and was already profiled for the OPS 12TH collar, but a WOA would be sufficient.

[Knife_Sniper]

Is WOA one of the better priced stainless offerings? Most of the stainless I was looking at was pushing at 350 plus. I want, desperatley to be practicing by the time summer hits at a nearby 600 yard range. I think I can swing for a 250 stainless steel barrel. I have a nice fighting upper, but I'm looking for a spare upper here so I can learn me some good marksmanship skills and test those skills in some local shoots.





Thanks for the replies.

[rob_s]

With match ammo, how well does a non chrome lined 16 middy barrel compare to a SS barrel in terms of accuracy?

I always hear that chrome moly is more accurate than the same barrel chrome lined... well how do these barrels compare to current stainless offerings?


Curious minds want to know. :)

Thanks!

Are you talking about using a barrel you already own and pressing it into "match" service, or are you talking about buying a whole new barrel and trying to keep it as inexpensive as possible and still get the best accuracy from it? You mention pairing it with "match" ammo, so I assume you'll also be using a magnified optic? Also, do you already have the other parts for the rifle/upper or are you buying everything from scratch?

If you're talking about buying a new barrel, I assume you're looking here (http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=272) at either the AR0210ASY Chrome Moly Barrel Assembly, 16 Inch Mid-Length or the AR0200ASY Chrome Moly Barrel Assembly, 16 Inch CAR, both of which list for $190. Is that correct? If so, I don't see mention of twist, and am assuming that it's 1:9, which may be problematic depending on the "match" ammo you plan to use.

Something else to consider is how much that savings will reflect in the overall cost of the rifle or upper. By the time you add a lower, a stock, and optic, etc. even the most budget of match rifles is going to be easily encroaching on $2k. Given that, I'd be inclined to spend a little more on the barrel on the front end and get something like the stainless 16" BCM (http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-16-Recce-SS410-Barrel-with-Mid-Length-Gas-p/bcm%20ss410%2016-8.htm) which is only $100 more (plus you need a gas block and a gas tube, and we can suggest inexpensive options there too).

From what I have seen of precision shooting and those attempting it, the things that have the biggest impact are the shooter (first and foremost), then the barrel, and then the optic. Others with more experience can weigh in on that, but given the high emphasis on the barrel I'd be inclined to get the best one I could afford.