.223/5.56 barrel recommendations for AR distance shooting.

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

I have not had a lot of interest in shooting the heavier .223/5.56 bullets for distance until now. I have been shooting distance with 6.5Grendel(AR) up to 1100 yards, and 6.5Creedmoor(bolt action) up to 1500 yards for some time. I now want to build a distance.223/5.56 upper to push the limits of the .223/5.56. I reload my own ammo, if that makes a difference. I am looking for barrel recommendations for the heavier 75gr to 77gr bullets. I don’t have a budget limitations for the barrel.

I will be using a BCM upper, BCM BCG, not sure of the hand guard/rail, possibly a Geissele. For the scope, I have a Viper PST 4x16x50 EBR-1 MRAD on a LaRue scope base. The lower will have either a Geissele SSA, or a LaRue 2 stage trigger. I have both, but not sure which I’ll use. What length and what barrel brand do you recommend? Thanks for the input, much appreciated! -Geo

2

Length or gas system preference?

3

I’d prefer an 18” or 20” barrel with either a mid-length or rifle length gas system. Thanks.

4

Krieger Barrel and JP Headspaced bolt from Krieger.

5

I was going to say look at Compass Lake. I just went to check out some of their options and they’re closing to the public apparently so forget that. I’ve had good luck with my White Oak 20" SDM. I think krieger would have to make the list.

6

Kreiger, Shilen, Criterion, Rainier Arms, Green Mountain, Proof Research.

7

Yep, there are lots of good options for a 20" barrel. My first thoughts were Krieger and Criterion, followed by Compass Lake
.

8

I know its not your ask, but if you do not have a Bolt gun in 223, consider it. I have two, a Rem700 5R and a Tikka. Both have been the most fun and rewarding guns we shoot. Its great for practicing fundamentals. My only 20 inch AR has a carry handle, so I’m not much help. Good luck.

PB

9

How many bolt guns are chambered for 5.56?

10

A lot.

OP, Ive only used rainier UM and larue barrels but both have been impressive.

My friend and I have each in 16" and have been successful to 1k on 2/3rd steel IPSC with little effort.

11

Don’t sleep on White Oak Armament barrels. I’ve enjoyed their 20" SPR barrel.

12

Add White Oak to that list and it’s done.

I’d say go 20" rifle length gas, 1/7.

13

What does “distance” mean, and to what accuracy standard? That’s what will separate your barrels.

14

Does the barrel’s profile, and therefore weight, matter?‘’

If you’re trying to push the limits of 5.56, than a 22" barrel would give a bit more velocity than a 20", but there aren’t nearly as many of them offered.

15

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

I’d like to be able to hit a full size steel silhouette target at 800 to maybe 1000 yards.

16

Just about anything advertised as precision/match/recce from a decent maker will get you there. 14-20" and the gas and profile of preference. My crowd regularly shoots 16" barrels with mid or intermediate gas and GI to medium profiles to those distances. That said, when you get good at that you want to shoot smaller and/or farther. If you don’t have to carry it around or store it there’s some gain in 18-20" and medium to heavy profiles from the best makers.

Barrels can be like holsters and other gear. You try one for awhile, then either swap it out to try something new or build a new upper.

Some good suggestions in the thread already. I’d add Geissele, Larue, Noveske, Wilson, Centurion.

17

Thanks guys for the input. Have a great week!

18

Late reply, but check out the Rainier Arms Ultra-Match Mod 2 MK12 SPR. I have the 18" and it is fantastic. With hand loads, it is very accurate out to ~600 on steel but should be able to make it farther with the right loads.

19

Aren’t the Centurion Arms stainless barrels suppose to also have a great reputation for accuracy? Though I’m not totally sure if they actually make them or if someone else does to their specs.

Lilja is another brand I’ve heard that consistently performs.

20

If I was tasked with making a “precision” AR, I honestly would have no real barrel preference. The better barrels I’ve shot are examples of one. (Geissele Super Duty, for example) The Ammo and ATACR glass/reticle would really be where the gains would be had.

None of the off the shelf SS barrels have been much more thrilling than many of the Chrome lined barrels we shoot.