Rock Creek Barrel

[jpipes]

All -

I primarily shoot bolt guns with a heavy emphasis on practical precision matches (Read: "tactical" matches, though I hate that word), and have significantly less time on an AR type rifle. I am staring at a JD Machine matched upper and lower set in my gunsafe, and will us the set as a base for a general purpose AR. Should be a fun project for me to learn how to build an AR.

Regarding the barrel, I have a line on the following:
turned, chambered, gas port and crowned with muzzle threads installed for us by Compass Lake. These are button rifled not cut rifled.
Specs are.
Price is $225.00 plus shipping
.223 Wylde chamber
18" finish
Rifle length gas system
muzzle threaded 1/2-28
Chrome Lined
Chrome Moly Vanadium steel
7 twist 6 groove rifling
M4 feed ramps
Parkerized finish

I'm a huge fan of Rock barrels for my bolt guns, but know nothing of the above. Are these good barrels to build on? Length ok? Again, this is for a general purpose, popping steel at 600 and in, fun plinker... Thanks for the feedback.

Best,
JP

[wahoo95]

I have always had great success with Rock Creek barrels. Another one to look at are the Douglas barrels. I am having a rifle built right now using a Douglas 18" barrel.

[jpipes]

As it turns out, these were originally intended to be "denny's operator barrels", for what it's worth. Thanks for the feedback.

[jmart]

I've got a 16" mid-length gas Operator barrel. It's a good barrel, but a bit heavy. It's kind of a medium contour. Also, if I'm not mistakem, mine was chambered for 5.56 NATO, not Wylde.

Sounds like these blanks were cut longer and gas ports drilled for rifle-length systems. I would guess it would be a very accurate barrel. I'd only advise you to ask yourself what you think is the ideal weight, and how important is it if weight varies much from your ideal.

If you are looking for a LW setup, I'd recommend you pass. Especially when you factor in the weight of rifle-length HGs. But if you are OK with a mid-weight barrel, then these would be a good foundation, expecially for the price. I paid over $300 for mine several years ago, $225 is a steal, and it sounds like he's trying to move them.

[brit]

Pipes, as per our conversation,
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-BFH-16-Mid-Length-LW-Barrel-Stripped-p/bcm-brl-s-mid-16lw%20bfh.htm
In stock too!

[ALCOAR]

I cannot speak on your potential barrels as the spec's are quite different than my Rock barrels done by Mike for LMT. They are single point cut rifled 5R barrels w/ 1/7th twists. However, my opinion on Mike Rock barrels couldn't be any higher, and they have ruined/spoiled me thus far.

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC00616-1.jpg
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC00600-1.jpg

Rock barrels are usually much more expensive than the price you listed just to throw that out there.

eta....I'm an idiot, I also own or have owned 3 more Rock barrels done by Rock for LMT that I would presume are almost exactly like the ones your inquiring about minus some small specs. With my Rock 16" CL 5.56 1/7, I can shoot 1-1.5moa 10rd groups using a cpl. quality loads. My Rock 10.5" CL 5.56 1/7 is amazingly accurate for what it is...

http://i52.tinypic.com/1zlvj9e.jpg

[Boss Hogg]

18" might be a bit too long for many on this forum, but unless you're kicking in doors or getting in and out of vehicles frequently, the extra 2" will give you a nice velocity boost for distant knockdown targets.

[crossgun]

I run the Denny's barrel on my 3gun rifle and its ok for its use. No problem with steel at 3gun distances of 400 and in but it would not be my first choice for 600.

If you wanted tack driving accuracy at long range I would dump the chrome.

Look at White Oak Armory barrels or consider this barrel from Bravo. I run it on one of my SPRs and am very happy happy with it.
I believe the blanks are from Lother Walther.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-18-SPR-SS410-Barrel-Rifle-Length-Gas-Ionbond-p/bcm%20ss410%2018-8%20ib%20bk.htm