maximus83
08-04-10, 13:00
I'm about to take the plunge on a BCM 16" middy, and am trying to decide between the pencil (LW) barrel, versus the hammer-forged (HF).
I realize that the trend here on M4c lately has been pencil barrels to cut weight. But I'm wondering if, aside from the weight advantages (for LW barrels) or safety advantages (for HF barrels), there are any other shooting related reasons why either type of barrel profile is preferable. This middy will be for defensive use, and outdoor/range recreational shooting, not primarily for hunting or match use. But I would still prefer something that can retain very good accuracy during extended semiauto strings. Years ago I owned a Ruger Mini-14, and I never want to go back to that kind of performance (it was 2.5 MOA which was not bad when cold, but you'd get shotgun-like patterns a 5" to 6" or more groups after the standard-size barrel heated up. I hear the heavy barreled target model does better).
What I wonder specifically, is whether there's any worthwhile advantage to going with a hammer-forged barrel over a lightweight one, in the BCM builds? For example: will the HF barrel be "stiffer" and therefore able to resist barrel whip longer as you fire extended strings, meaning that it would retain greater accuracy in firefight conditions? Or is there no major difference between them in this regard?
I don't really have any way to test this question, since I'd have to own or acquire AR's with similar profiles and each barrel profile to really test them accurately. Hoping that some here who work in shops or have owned both types will have an idea.
I realize that the trend here on M4c lately has been pencil barrels to cut weight. But I'm wondering if, aside from the weight advantages (for LW barrels) or safety advantages (for HF barrels), there are any other shooting related reasons why either type of barrel profile is preferable. This middy will be for defensive use, and outdoor/range recreational shooting, not primarily for hunting or match use. But I would still prefer something that can retain very good accuracy during extended semiauto strings. Years ago I owned a Ruger Mini-14, and I never want to go back to that kind of performance (it was 2.5 MOA which was not bad when cold, but you'd get shotgun-like patterns a 5" to 6" or more groups after the standard-size barrel heated up. I hear the heavy barreled target model does better).
What I wonder specifically, is whether there's any worthwhile advantage to going with a hammer-forged barrel over a lightweight one, in the BCM builds? For example: will the HF barrel be "stiffer" and therefore able to resist barrel whip longer as you fire extended strings, meaning that it would retain greater accuracy in firefight conditions? Or is there no major difference between them in this regard?
I don't really have any way to test this question, since I'd have to own or acquire AR's with similar profiles and each barrel profile to really test them accurately. Hoping that some here who work in shops or have owned both types will have an idea.