Barrels Brands and Sourcing

[HKGuns]

I normally buy complete uppers, but am looking at the option of building an upper and sourcing a barrel.

Looking at 6.5 Grendel and 20" 556 upper.

What barrels would you consider and where would you source them from? (Ignore current availability)

Also, how would you force rank these barrel MFG's and would you consider them for a build or something else?

Any barrels on this list you would absolutely not consider?

Who am I missing?

Criterion
Faxon -Gone
Howa
Odin Works
Shaw
Ballistic advantage
PSA
Aero Precision
Wilson Combat
Alexander Arms
Bear Creek Arsenal-Gone

[Disciple]

I have read good things about Rainier Arms, White Oak Armament, Lothar Walther, Krieger, Proof Research, in rough order of price.

Unless you need the lightest pencil barrel I would drop Faxon from the list. They have QC problems by multiple reports including my own, and though I found the customer service good it isn't worth the trouble outside that niche.

[gunnerblue]

For accuracy/precision I use Proof, Krieger and Bartlein because of the excellent results I've had. I've had great results with Pac-Nor and Shilen as well.

I have a BCM 410SS (which is always rumored to be made by Criterion) and an AA 6.5G barrel. Both of which are 1/2 MOA capable. My Ballistic Advantage 6.5 barrel (Hanson profile) was not nearly as accurate as my AA.

For general AR use, I've come to prefer Centurion hammer-forged but have happily also use/have used Noveske (old), BCM hammer-forged and Colt.

No experience with any others on your list, but, if I remember right, Bear Creek was garbage and I think shut down by the ATF.

[HKGuns]

Thanks for the responses so far, I'm a relative newb at selecting barrels, so anything helps.

I've made Faxon and Bear Creek yellow as I can't find a way to strike-though the font. I seem to recall reading Bear Creek made junk as well.

[ST911]

Lots of good barrels out there. Major brands with good reputations are safe, and availability and pricing of your preference will be significant factors.

I've been pleased with some Wilson barrels recently, and there are several options in the 20" length you specify.

[grizzman]

ARP’s 6.X barrels are highly regarded.

[HKGuns]

Thanks for the additional feedback.

How does this look from a spec perspective for the two rifles? Do you see an issue with any of these components? Would you recommend I go a different direction with anything listed below? Any Red flags?

Wilson only has 18" 556 barrels, I don't recall the brand of 556 BCG I have in stock, but I picked a couple of them up when there was a sale running. They may be DD bolts.

18" 556 Upper build components

Upper Receiver Forged Aero Precision AP-APAR700201AC
Barrel Wilson Combat 18" TR-556RCRG18FT8 ----------*Should I be concerned with the 1/8 twist vs. 1/7?
BCG In stock
Muzzle Device BE Meyers M249F JPFH-556L
Gas Block Sionics LP adjustable 100-011-244WB
Gas Tube Wilson Combat Rifle length 965-900-016WB
Rail Midwest Industries 15" MLOK MICRLW15

20" 6.5 Grendel Upper build components

Upper Receiver Forged Aero Precision AP-APAR700201AC
Barrel Wilson Combat 20" TR-65GRCRG20FT8
BCG Brownels 6.5 BCG 078-102-006WB
Muzzle Device BE Meyers 240F JPFH-762L
Gas Block Sionics LP adjustable 100-011-244WB
Gas Tube Wilson Combat Rifle length 965-900-016WB
Rail Strike Industries 17" MLOK SI-GRIDLOK-LITE

[Black_Sheep]

There is Wilson Arms and Wilson Combat, I believe that they are separate and unrelated companies.

[HKGuns]

There is Wilson Arms and Wilson Combat, I believe that they are separate and unrelated companies.

Are you saying Wilson Combat barrels aren’t any good?

[Black_Sheep]

Are you saying Wilson Combat barrels aren’t any good?

Not at all, I have Wilson Combat stainless match barrels on a .308 build and a 5.56 build. Both are GTG.

I was simply pointing out that when people mention Wilson barrels they may be talking about Wilson Arms not Wilson Combat.