What is the opinion of Dennys Operator Barrel versus an Noveske N4??
Printable View
What is the opinion of Dennys Operator Barrel versus an Noveske N4??
Operator is a top notch barrel. I've got one. It's not cold hammer forged like the Noveske.
The accuracy of the Noveske is unsurpassed (except for maybe MSTN, but you're splitting hairs). However, the Operator is not too far behind and many people (i.e., joe blows like myself) probably wouldn't notice the difference.
Life of an Operator barrel is supposed to be 40,000 rounds (that's straight from Denny). I'll try my hardest to see if that is the case. Noveske I'm sure is in that area too.
I don't have the operator, but I've done a few builds on his recon barrels. no problems to report. survived a couple carbine classes and several tactical rifle matches.
Im VERY HAPPY with my Noveske N4 barrel on my voltor / pof rifle.
At the range i was shooting .5 MOA at 100 yards with an Eotech and 3x mag behind it.
I was very inpressed.
So far my Operator build has eaten every type of ammo I've put through it without any malfunctions, including Wolf.
I've had my operator build completed for a couple of months now.
55 fmj Hornady' handloads average about 2 inches at 100yds from the bench with a 6x scope.
Next is to try higher magnification and then heavier projectiles to see if it has the potential to do better.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...000_2499-2.jpg
Based on the accuracy reports I've seen here about the N4 and on the TOS about the Operator, I'd say that the Noveske appears to be the more accurate barrel. From what I remember, the second generation Operators were grouping from .6 to 1.2 MOA, but that was based on a wide variety of shooters with different level of shooting experience on TOS. So, please take that for what it's worth. The N4, based on reports here, seems to be a consistent sub-MOA barrel. However, from what I hear, the 3rd GEN OPERATOR's specs have been changed to tighten accuracy. The only way we can know for sure which barrel is more accurate is to have an experienced shooter shoot a 16" N4 and 16" Operator side by side with the same loads and glass. That would be interesting.
Both barrels are made to be HARD use barrels, but, as stated above, it appears that the N4 barrels are a tad more accurate than the Operators. However, when Denny spec'd his barrel he didn't intend for it to be an uber accurate barrel. Denny wasnted wanted a no-nonsense, heavy duty barrel, capable of handling full auto use, which he accomplished. Now, I know that there are some people who simply want the best and most accurate and will go for the N4 barrel, as it does appear to have better accuracy than the 2nd generation Operator based on self-reports. from people with different level of skill. Another key difference is that the N4s are HPT'd whereas the Operator barrels are not, only MPId.
In the end, I don't think you can go wrong with either. I bought an Operator upper, before the N4s came out. I don't have a high mangification scope to really wring out the upper, but I hope to have the needed optics in the near future to see what my Operator can do with 75 gr loads.
Oh, and by the way, I have seen reports of the Operator getting .5 MOA groups with hand loaded 75 gr rounds. The Operator definitely FAVORS the heavier rounds.
Very true.Quote:
However, when Denny spec'd his barrel he didn't intend for it to be an uber accurate barrel, he wanted a no-nonsense, heavy duty barrel, capable of handling full auto uses, which he accomplished.
I've read the reports that the Operator barrels favor the heavier rounds also.
I will try them, but I did not buy this barrel with the expectation of getting a sub moa barrel. Nor should other prospective purchasers. If it does great, but I would not count on it.
I have a couple of different ARs for that. This was built strictly for high round count operation. 2 moa works fine for its' intended use.
I don't have to baby this barrel like my others.