Purpose: Defense/Hunting/Target shooting
BCM 16" SS410 Barrel with Mid Length Gas 1/8 Twist
5.56 NATO Match Chambers (USMC SAM-R Chamber)
Barrel Weight: ??? oz
Rainier Arms Select 16" Mid-Length 1/8 Twist
Polygonal rifled barrels
5.56 NATO Chamber
416R Stainless Steel
Barrel Weight: 32.4 oz
For your stated purposes, BCM hands down.
I don’t know that there’s anything wrong with the Rainier barrel, but definitely BCM.
I guess it all depends on when do you want it? The Rainier barrels are pretty good for the cost and they have been more available.
The BCM barrels are definitely nice and if you can afford to wait out the Great Gun Scare of 2012 you may get one.
How do you guys think a wylde chamber barrel like Rainier Match/Ultra Match? Can I shoot 5.56 though it?
Yes you can fire 5.56 in a Wylde chamber. No harm no foul in that regard.
I’ve used that exact barrel, the Rainier, in several builds and never been dissapointed. I usually get the black oxide finish.
They’re decently accurate even with 77gr. (about 3/4moa or less usually depending on optic)
I like the fact that I can run 42-43 gr “green practice” rounds through it and they don’t keyhole.
White Oak all the way. 1/8 twist wylde chamber and as accurate as the ammo you feed it. It’s even in your budget.
I have been wanting to get a SS barrel also. Unfortunately, now it looks like I am waiting for a bit to pick one up.
I’v been eyeballing this one:
Most SS barrels are stupid thick.
EDIT: Crap, out of stock.
Ranier, White Oak, Black Hole.
Been eyeing the Ranier select in medium contour, black. They claim some sort of hardening process, perhaps nitriding. Out of stock currently. BCM is a known quantity, wish there was more feedback on the Select line.
Mark
Thanks guys. Since not in a hurry I want to do more homework.
I found some 16" barrels with Wylde chamber:
–Global-Tactical-Supply RECON II BARREL 16.1" MIDDY GAS 5.56MM
IN STOCK $289.00
1:7
DOUGLAS BLANK
4 OZ HEAVIER THAN STANDARD M4 16 INCH.
So 28+4=32oz ?
–Lilja-Nordic AR Rifle Barrel, Stainless 16"
Out Of Stock $299.00
1:8
Weight: 29.6oz
Made by Lilja Precision Rifle Barrels per Nordic specs.
–Rainier UltraMatch™ 16“ .223 Wylde Barrel
OUT OF STOCK $365.00
1:8
Shilen Blank
34oz.
–White Oak Armament 16″ Stainless Steel Match Grade Barrel
$279
Wilson blank
34oz.
What do you think?
I have a Lilja M4 Patrolman bbl and its been great. It is on the heavy side and carbine gas.
I was looking at a build with a LW bbl. Same bbls LaRue used to use. They will cut it to your specified length and even though it says 1/9, if I recall they will do 1/8 Wylde (what they made for LaRue).