It was mentioned my last post was in the wrong place so I’m posting here as this is the correct forum
I am Looking for parts for my next build and Need Help Finding a Sub MOA 11.5 or 12.5 Barrel.
I’ve heard that Centurion’s 12.5 barrel is sub moa with 77gr and is properly ported but it seems they’ve stopped making them?
Also on the table is Daniel Defense’s 12.5 but I’ve not run across as many people saying those are sub moa
AR Performance in 12.5 might be available in late summer but not sure how consistently they can be sub moa with 77gr
Faxon and Ballistic advantage don’t seem to be quite there.
Would be nice if it was .625 as I already have an SLR6 but this is not a deal breaker. Decent weight (no bull barrels), Sub MOA with 77gr and properly gassed.
Sionics was mentioned as having a reduced gas port 11.5 and I have added that one to the list but no reports of sub moa with 77gr yet
Also mentioned was Larue Stealth 12 inch but reports of it being too gassy which might not be bad as I have ordered an SLR7
Good info but looking for a bit more feedback especially if anyone has more info on the Sionics performance with 77gr
Thanks
update - Brownells says the DD 12.5 specs are: .750" OD for the journal. .0595" Gas Port . 1.4 lbs.
that seems a bit small on the gas port or is that OK for carbine gas?
Thanks for the info. Do you have sub moa consistently with the DD 12.5’s using 77gr?
Good lead on the V6 but those are a bit pricey vs DD et al and I am not needed a gas block included as I’d like to use my own.
Triarc allegedly sells a good barrel. My buddy’s have had sub-MOA with match factory ammo at 100 yards.
If you’re willing to wait, Hodge barrels trickle out from time to time, and those are allegedly on par or slightly better than the Centurion Arms barrels.
Are you looking for a certain distance sub-moa barrel? Reason I’m asking is that a barrel which is sub moa at 100m might not be a sub minute gun at 300-400m, and especially 500-600m with 12.5"
Ballistic Advantage has a 1 moa guarantee on their barrels. However, I suspect you might have to go custom route for a guaranteed <1moa for a shorter barrel, something like Lilja or Rainer Arms Ultra Match, and etc. In any case you’re looking at $500-600+ category for a match barrel.
I’ve had several of the BCM 11.5" configurations and have achieved sub -MOA precision which was repeatable, but only with tuned handloads. While they are proclaimed as 1 in 7 twist, my best results have been with bullets 60 grains and under… go figure.
Current configuration of SBR #2, 11.5" BCM ELW on Mega billet Giessle HiSpeed match Freedom Armory Dragoon direct thread (9.7 0u.) MagPul and BCM KMR.
Most of my SBR’s wear a RDS, but I’ve thrown an ACOG on them with MOA shooting. My Colt 10.3 , 6945 is a MOA gun. I would go for SIONICS. I might try a few this Sunday and see what we can do.
Best bang for the buck is probably the Larue Stealth Barrel in 12". I have a 16" that is a laser, a little heavy but has repeatable shot 1/2 moa if I do my part.
Short barrels are generally as/more accurate than longer barrels, up to their velocity-limited/bullet stability range. (Harmonics, flex, etc.) Here are a few examples of what I consider real-world, practical accuracy. Keep in mind the 10 rd groups, the low/no magnification optic, the rest (magazine, bipod, etc.), the ammo, and, of course, the shooter. The tgt labeled “prone unsupported” is inaccurate. I was resting on the magazine.
The first is a DD chrome-lined gov’t profile barrel cut to 10.75". M4SDII, BCM lower, Aero forged upper, Larue MBT trigger.
These are representative groups for this barrel, not hand-picked anomalies. I have several 10rd groups of Wolf Gold that are 1.5-1.6", but this set up will not do that every time.
Note the POIs for each ammo type. All groups were fired with the same zero. Interesting that some very different ammo types have the same/very similar zero @ 100. Others, of course, are quite different (see next post.)
>>In response to several inquiries: Yes, in my limited testing of 5 rd groups, the group size is notably smaller<<
This is a Sionics 11.5. BCM upper, same suppressor and lower as previous post. 4x optic. These are representative groups for this barrel, not hand-picked anomalies.
As a side note, I haven’t found the Mk318 to be accurate from any barrel I have tried. Keep in mind that my lot is seconds and a sample size of one.
@mq105 - wow thanks for the groups. That is some valuable data.
I had an upper that absolutely hated 69gr and up. Looked like your groups on the MK318. Was sub moa on 55gr though. Supposedly 1/8 twist but I suspect it was closer to 1/9
Seems like the Sionics is a bit more picky in 11.5
The DD 10.5 seems to like the heavier rounds but does OK with 55gr too.
I am down to these barrels:
TriArc 12.5 (mid length) (unknown gas port) $260
Sionics RGP 11.5 (carbine) (.070 ?) $200
Daniel Defense 12.5 (carbine) (.0595 per Brownells which seems super small?) $275
Centurion Arms 12.5 LW (carbine) (.070?) $330
These are all around 1.4 lbs give or take .1lbs
but the Centurion Arms is lightest at 1lb 5.1oz which is about 2oz lighter.
But sub moa with 77gr is priority, then gas port though I will be using an SLR7 adjustable block
I really don’t measure or shoot for groups with my short guns but I had a DD 12.5 barrel and shot it out after about 16K rounds (some in full auto). I replaced it with a Noveske 12.5 barrel and it is significantly more accurate and less gassy.
