As many of you know, Sionics is now making a True suppressor ready barrel. Mark did a measurement of the port and it looks to be in the 062 range. I have two SBR’s and ran them side by side. Both have A5 and LMT enhanced carriers. Both have Vltor monolithic uppers and AAC M4-2K cans. The first runs with the original 11.5 RGP barrel by Sionics, it runs very well and throws the brass slightly forward in the 2-2:30 range. A little hot as one would expect with the AAC can and all. Runs 100% flawless, no complaints.
Gun two with ERGP Sionics barrel and it ran as would be expected, a little smoother. Tossing brass in the 3-3:30 range and a bit softer. I was most impressed with this barrel. It is not supposed to run ammo without a can but we were able to run Blackhills and “Mark-hills” loads getting lock-back some of the time but not all the time. Also, the gun was cleaned and freshly greased. Which tells me this barrel is ported perfectly to run a can. I don’t want a barrel that runs so soft it becomes unreliable at anytime under any condition. I was a bit worried it would shoot great at the expense of reliability, not going to be the case.
If you are going too run your SBR suppressed, and you want a 11.5 barrel, this is one great option. I honestly wished my other 11.5 was the newer barrel. I don’t think I would call it Extreme RGP barrel, I would call it the perfect GP barrel. Its ideal not extreme.
We were busy running a new load of 178 ELD’s for the LMT MWS, so we didn’t give it as much time as we will next week, running more types of ammo and maybe some lowers without A5 and enhanced carriers. More data to follow, and any request let us know. Also, we will do some accuracy testing for shits and giggles. Even thought I think 2 to 3 MOA is fine for a 11.5 SBR, I always like better.
I’d love to see how it shoots the Markm house loads. I’ve come to use them as a metric of performance for almost any 223/5.56 rifle I try. I even keep a spare bag of the 69gr loads in my range bag in case a buddy is having trouble and wants me to shoot good ammo through his rifle.
Yes, The original RGP was meant for optimal suppressed use but could cycle un-suppresed if needed at the request of Peoria PD for worst case scenarios. We have now publically released a true suppressor only barrel. It may lock back with certain loads but by all means is not meant to EVER be run without a can,
In my haste to get the barrel installed I didn’t measure the port accurately. I have a large needle that I stick in the port and then use calipers. Around 62 or 63 thou. But here’s your pic of the two kids.
I would echo this comment and add. RGP is gassed just right with no suppressor, but still much better than many barrels you might buy from other companies.
I would bet we could squeeze 1.5 MOA - 2 MOA. I have a red dot but will toss a 4x ACOG or maybe smoother optic to test accuracy. Accuracy is not the focus of 11.5 barrels, but we will check it out. I might also try some 50 yard accuracy as that is a more realistic range for SBR’s.
How do these gas port sizes (RGP & Extreme RGP) compare to the Colt FBI HRT heavy 11.5" barrels. I seem to recall the Colt barrels were approximately .070. Does that sound about right?
Also, do we know who provides the barrel blanks for Sionics? If the company considers it a trade secret I respect that.
Well if the HRT barrel is .070 then it is like the RGP barrel. The Extreme has a much smaller port. Colt isn’t making barrels that won’t run well without a suppressor. Theirs needs to be like the RGP barrel. with or without can.
No idea. When I saw how nice Pappabears original RGP was, I bought one right away. The Chrome lining job looked beautiful. I don’t think I’ve even shot mine for accuracy. I just zeroed it since it’s a home defense gun… Never occurred to me to shoot groups. We’ll probably do some of that with the ERGP just because we’re playing with it.
Interesting. I am working on a 12.5, and plan on putting a 1-6 or 1-8 on it and shooting it as far as my land allows. I expect it to shoot 1-1.5moa just like the 14.5’s. Are people saying “something happens” to make the shorter barrels less accurate? I’ve never observed it.
I take my 12.5s out to 600 regularly. Teaches you to call wind really well. I have a NF atacr 1-8 on one and a vortex 1-6 on my hodge 12.5. I havent taken a 11.5 out past 500 yet, but that’s because both my sionics rgp 11.5 sbrs are defending my house haha.
I think most people equate the shorter barrels to CQB/Home Defense distances and really haven’t shot out past 100/150 with them. Kyle Defoor regularly shoots an 11.5 mini-recce out to distance. I have 10.3, 11.5, 12.5, 14.5, 14.7 and 16 inch barreled carbines and my preference is for my 12.5" Hodge gun. It is pretty much the jack of all trades/master of none upper for me, great out to 5/600 and just as good in the shoot house with minimal velocity drop from a 14.5" gun and really good suppressed. I run my Hodge 12.5" with an Aimpoint Comp M5 and Aimpoint 3X Magnifier. My LPVO’s sit on my 14.5 and longer guns.
Yea I think so few people have appropriate optics for distance, no for shooting tight groups on 11.5 and below. That’s red dot land. But have done it before and will pop something on it Sunday just for the record.
