Trying to figure out the best barrel for my next build, suggestions please.

[AGENT TIKKI]

I am planning my next upper build. My goal is a lightweight target/varminting build for longer ranges, for heavier weight (62+ grain) .223 projectiles.

First am I correct in understanding that for ultimate accuracy a .223 chamber > wylde chamber > 5.56?

Are there really any benefits going from a 20" to 24" barrel? I believe seeing only a marginal increase in velocities from those 4 additional inches.

Is polygonal rifling just as accurate as standard button rifling? I've seen all the sale propoganda, but would rather hear from your personal experience.

What are the benefits of a Bull barrel over a LW profile? (besides the free upper body workout ) I'm really only planning to slow fire from a bench or out in the field varminting. Not really looking to to go full auto/bumpfire/see how much match ammo i can dump per second...

I'm contemplating/leaning towards a 20" LW profile stainless barrel in a 1/7 twist with rifle length gas system. Am I heading in the right direction?

[0reo]

At distance you may find your POI changes after multiple shots with a thin barrel as the barrel heats up. Bull barrels, & to some extent hbar's reduce this a great deal.

As for barrel length, if you're buying commercial ammo those 4" may or may not make much difference but if you reload you can custom tailor your ammo to take maximum advantage of those 4"s and it will make a real difference. Serious varmint hunters are using cartridges similar to the .223 but they are using custom barrels with 27"+. Of course that increases weight as well so consider if you actually need all that.

[0reo]

Another thought... Daniel Defense makes a 20" S2W profile. I'm interested in a shorter version for a build I'm working on but the 20" sounds like it would do real nice for you. Looking at it's specs, it's quality in every possible way.

[AGENT TIKKI]

hey Oreo, thanks for the heads up on that barrel. It's the right twist, but its CHF. Wouldn't a straight up stainless steel barrel be more accurate for long distance work? You have me thinking some more about whether or not to get a bull barrel, or lw profile. I'm wondering how fast the barrel will heat up with a lw. If i can do 5 shot strings and not have it affect accuracy, or will i be relagated to a 5 shot string every 10 mins or so....maybe a bull barrel with fluting might be in order......

[0reo]

I'm not expert enough to say whether CHF is a good thing for you or not.

I can say that stainless is considerably heavier then chromoly steel. Not sure how CMV steel compares to CM weight wise but I think you need to consider which set of compromises you're willing to make. Do you want absolute best accuracy? Or do you want a gun you can hike afield with?

[AGENT TIKKI]

very good point...... I guess a compromise is in order. Damn. May have to build 2 more uppers now. Thanx

[0reo]

Talking out of my buttocks here for a second... I'm willing to bet you could be quite happy with the accuracy you'd get from a (quality) standard 20" hbar. Unless you're shooting competition bench-rest, or prairie dawgs at 300+yds a 1moa gun is plenty. That last 1/2" of accuracy is probably not needed and definitely a lot more expensive both in dollars & in performance compromises. Don't forget that if this is a long-range gun you're probably going to want to scope it and quality glass is expensive too.

[usmc1371]

I know its not apples to apples but my Sako .223 bolt gun starts to suffer from heat way faster than my heavy barrel .204 AR. The Sako is very accurate if I fire one round a min or less and it takes longer to reload so it gets a break there. If I get into a good colony of sage rats and start banging away (2/3 rpm) it gets very hot fast and hitting rats past 150 yards gets tough. The AR (LBC super varmint) with 26" very heavy barrel maintains its accuracy much longer. I feed the .204 with 5 round mags so reloads are fast and even shooting 2/3 rounds a min it just keeps killing rats. Both of these guns are true 1/2 moa guns.
IMHO I think you can get good accuracy form both light and heavy barrels but I have had better results from the heavy tube. For what you want to do I would be looking at a white oak 20" barrel. The heavy barrel will be nice when shooting off bags or bi pod over a varmint colony as it keeps you on target so you can spot your hits/misses.
edit, White oak can flute their 20" varmint barrel so that will take some weight off and help with the heat, now I want one.

[ColtJ]

I am planning my next upper build. My goal is a lightweight target/varminting build for longer ranges, for heavier weight (62+ grain) .223 projectiles.

First am I correct in understanding that for ultimate accuracy a .223 chamber > wylde chamber > 5.56?

Are there really any benefits going from a 20" to 24" barrel? I believe seeing only a marginal increase in velocities from those 4 additional inches.

Is polygonal rifling just as accurate as standard button rifling? I've seen all the sale propoganda, but would rather hear from your personal experience.

What are the benefits of a Bull barrel over a LW profile? (besides the free upper body workout ) I'm really only planning to slow fire from a bench or out in the field varminting. Not really looking to to go full auto/bumpfire/see how much match ammo i can dump per second...

I'm contemplating/leaning towards a 20" LW profile stainless barrel in a 1/7 twist with rifle length gas system. Am I heading in the right direction?

The chamber will depend on what ammo you plan to shoot. I have a wylde chamber and shoot 5.56 regularly with no issue's. I too build a precision upper/rifle.

The barrel length just has to do with velocity really. You'll be just as accurate with a 16" as a 24". You'll see a slight difference in velocity, depending on your intended shooting distances, you might not even notice.

If weight is a big issue you might be better suited with a heavier barrel but a bit shorter barrel like 16" or 18". As other's mentioned a heavier barrel might be better suited for you. Good choice on the twist.

IE: i built a precision rifle and it shoots well but its really heavy ~13 lbs but its only intended to be a precision build.

[0reo]

The chamber will depend on what ammo you plan to shoot. I have a wylde chamber and shoot 5.56 regularly with no issue's. I too build a precision upper/

Since in the OP's case accuracy is paramount it would be the other way around. He would be selecting a chamber first & then the ammo that suits the chamber. .223 is generally more accurate but the question remains: could the OP get acceptable accuracy from a wylde or even a 5.56 chamber? If he could he gains versatility in his rifle. I think a wylde chamber would be perfect in this case.