Fluted AR Barrels

Status
Not open for further replies.
GunnyUSMC

GunnyUSMC

Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2012
Messages
9,142
Location
Denham Springs LA
I've been thinking about building another AR with a fluted barrel. I haven't decided weather to go 16 or 18 inches, but I do want in in 223 Wylde with a 1/8 twist.
Here are a few that I'm looking at.


Strike Industries has a new 18" barrel out called the Strike Fighter Barrel. Priced at $280
barrel_001_2.jpg
Specifications
Thread Pitch:1/2x28”
Chambering: .223 Wylde
Weight: 25.3 oz net; 30oz gross
Gas Port: .073”
Gas System Length: Mid-length
Process: LiFe QPQ
Testing: pin gauged, MPI
Feedramps: M4
Gas Journal: .750”
Material: 416 RS
Twist Rate: 1/8
https://www.strikeindustries.com/shop/si-ar-sfbarrel-18.html

Aero Precision has a nice fluted barrel that comes in 16 or 18 inches. Priced at $250 and $260
aprh100462-16in-.223-fluted-stainless-steel-mid-length-barrel-ss-1.jpg
https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/223-wylde-fluted-16in-mid-barrel
Caliber .223 Wylde
Barrel Length 16"
Barrel Material 416R Stainless Steel
Barrel Finish Bead Blasted
Gas System Length Mid-Length
Gas Block Journal .750"
Gas Port Size (inches) 0.0785
Barrel Rifling Button Rifling
Twist Rate 1:8 inches
Thread Pitch 1/2-28 Threaded
Barrel Extension M4
Weight(s) 27oz

Caliber.223 WyldeBarrel
Length18"
Barrel Material416R Stainless SteelBarrel
FinishBead BlastedGas
System LengthRifleGas
Block Journal.750"
Gas Port Size (inches)0.0935Barrel
RiflingButton
RiflingTwist Rate1:8 inches
Thread Pitch1/2-28 Threaded
Barrel ExtensionM4
Weight(s)28oz

Ballistic Advantage also has one in 16 and 18 inch. priced at $230 and $250.
https://ballisticadvantage.com/16-inch-223-wylde-spr-fluted-midlength-ss-premium-barrel.html
16in_.223_wylde_spr_fluted_1_2.jpg
Length 16"
Material 416R Stainless Steel
Profile SPR
Finish Bead Blasted
Gas System Length Mid-Length
Gas Block Journal 1.03″ Gas Block Seat for .750″ Low Profile Gas Blocks Only
Twist Rate 1:8 inches
Muzzle 1/2x28 Threaded
Weight 27.4 oz
Other Info HP and MPI Tested

Length 18"
Material 416R Stainless Steel
Profile SPR
Finish Bead Blasted
Gas System Length Rifle
Gas Block Journal 1.03″ Gas Block Seat for .750″ Low Profile Gas Blocks Only
Twist Rate 1:8 inches
Muzzle 1/2x28 Threaded
Weight 32.02oz
Other Info HP and MPI Tested
 
I have a 20” ballistic advantage on my varmint setup. It’s a good shooter but nothing spectacular. Right at 1 moa. Very light for carrying around which is what I was after over max precision.
 
I have a 20" on one of mine and it shoots better than I do, I haven't shot it enough to heat it up
 
The 18" ballistic advantage is one I've been eyeballing too. I presently don't have a precision ar upper and that one just looks great for a walking varmint rifle.

I built an 18" 223 wylde on a faxon barrel for my brother that put ten shots into .8 moa, so that would seem like another good option, I will try to find a link for that barrel.
 
adcoch1 said:
The 18" ballistic advantage is one I've been eyeballing too. I presently don't have a precision ar upper and that one just looks great for a walking varmint rifle.

I built an 18" 223 wylde on a faxon barrel for my brother that put ten shots into .8 moa, so that would seem like another good option, I will try to find a link for that barrel.
Click to expand...
Just found that the Ballistic Advantage fluted 16” Barrel is on sale at AR15 Discount for $195.
https://ar15discounts.com/products/...ength-fluted-223-wylde-premium-series-barrel/
 
If you want to be different I like ER Shaw's "spiral fluted" barrels. Built one up for my wife with an 18" barrel. Its a sweet shooting gun. She rings steel at 300 yards very well and hits at 400 if the wind is minimal.

https://www.shawcustombarrels.com/barrels

Shaw barrels generally are very accurate, if not the most accurate at their price point.
 
I can't advise which brand of barrel to buy. But I think 18" is a good all around compromise length. And I like flutes. It is a better way to reduce weight than going to a thinner profile IMO.
 
I’ve got a spiral fluted barrel on one build and like it.
639EFAED-3E40-405F-940F-A9EF1910CE53.jpeg

But there’s something about that deep cut straight fluting.
I do have a side charger with an 18” barrel, but haven’t shot it much so, I’m not sure if I want another 18”.
F031DA64-6F68-4EFF-A107-285CB75B8B15.jpeg
 
AR's with flutes definitely add to the visual appeal. While they can serve as cooling benefit for the barrel, I've never experienced that because mine don't get that hot.....guess I need to put more rounds down the barrel and heat them up. :)

002.JPG 007.JPG 003.JPG
 
I also like the flutes also for visual purposes, functionally i dont think that they do much unless they are very wide and deep. On an AR I like them on longer, heavier one step barrels where they stick out of the handguard a ways, and or the handguards real holy so you can see thru it.

gonna have to build a large frame soon, probably time for a nice fluted heavy barrel :D
 
Last edited:
I see lots of cool looking stuff that doesn’t win anything.

It keeps selling, as does boring round stuff, I figure it’s up to the individual to make the buying decision.
 
jmorris said:
I see lots of cool looking stuff that doesn’t win anything.

It keeps selling, as does boring round stuff, I figure it’s up to the individual to make the buying decision.
Click to expand...

I agree, I don’t understand making a 4 lb bull barrel and then milling 3 ounces out of it in a useless spiral. If a guy just likes the the aesthetics then sure, but it’s not contributing anything and you still have an anchor of a barrel. I prefer the deep straight flutes that actually contribute something.
 
People who build high end AR’s don’t like BCA. I guess they read bad stuff on the biblenet. I’m sure there are better barrels out there. But I’ve got no complaints about the 3 that I own. And I’ve got an 18” 450BM being delivered today. If I start noticing that their MOA guarantee isn’t fulfilled, I’ll consider switching. Until then, I see no reason to spend 2-3 times more for marginal, if any, improvement.
 
BigBore44 said:
People who build high end AR’s don’t like BCA. I guess they read bad stuff on the biblenet. I’m sure there are better barrels out there. But I’ve got no complaints about the 3 that I own. And I’ve got an 18” 450BM being delivered today. If I start noticing that their MOA guarantee isn’t fulfilled, I’ll consider switching. Until then, I see no reason to spend 2-3 times more for marginal, if any, improvement.
Click to expand...

I've had three BCA's, one was a 20 heavy varmint profile which was a pretty decent shooter, about as good as my BA but literally twice as heavy. I also had a 16 "socom" profile that was pretty mediocre, couldn't get it to shoot better than 2 moa. I built an AR for my brother in law with a basic 16" bca barrel and that one shoot decent, mabey 1.5 moa. For the prices I wouldn't be afraid to try anther one if I didn't have really high expectations for precision.
 
These are my two favorite barrel profiles.
BAR16MMG7NS.2.1.jpg BAR16DTIML9C.jpg

The fluted barrel on this rifle has the same profile as the top barrel, but is spiral fluted on the front half.
index.php


Some fluted barrels are just for looks and some actually serve a purpose. I really like the deep fluting on the Aero barrel and think that's the one I will end up going with.
 
BigBore44 said:
People who build high end AR’s don’t like BCA. I guess they read bad stuff on the biblenet. I’m sure there are better barrels out there. But I’ve got no complaints about the 3 that I own. And I’ve got an 18” 450BM being delivered today. If I start noticing that their MOA guarantee isn’t fulfilled, I’ll consider switching. Until then, I see no reason to spend 2-3 times more for marginal, if any, improvement.
Click to expand...

Wasn't trashing BCA, just noting it was a rebranded BCA. I see as many accurate BCA barrels as I do Faxon. Faxon just has better PR, which I'm assuming they pay for with their higher prices.
 
js8588 said:
Wasn't trashing BCA, just noting it was a rebranded BCA. I see as many accurate BCA barrels as I do Faxon. Faxon just has better PR, which I'm assuming they pay for with their higher prices.
Click to expand...
Hey no worries. I wasn’t directing that towards anyone specifically. People who build high end guns typically disregard components from lower priced manufacturers. Even if they provide and guarantee the same performance. And that’s fine with me. I’m happy with the products I purchase.
 
I built a rifle with a BCA barrel that I got on sale for $50. It shot under 2”. I’ve used barrels that cost from $50 to $300. It all comes down to what you like.
The BCA fluted barrels have shallow flutes,and that is the only reason I’m passing on them. I want looks as well as preference.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

The Earl o Sammich
  • Locked
Anybody Know Where I Can Get A .308, 18 Inch, Stainless, Rifle Length Barrel....
Replies
18
Views
859
The Earl o Sammich
The Earl o Sammich
Skylerbone
  • Locked
SOLGW 10.5” Carbine Gas Barrel Sale
2
Replies
29
Views
1K
CraigC
CraigC
S
  • Locked
Looking for 18" .625 AR barrel
Replies
5
Views
1K
criterionbarrels
C
Z
  • Locked
Which barrel for AR15 is better for me?
2
Replies
29
Views
4K
zerobarrier
Z
fnbrowning
  • Locked
Anyone Dissatisfied with a Noveske 7.62mm barrel?
Replies
0
Views
464
fnbrowning
fnbrowning
Back
Top