Just how much more accurate is the HBAR?

[Onslaught]

I'm STILL trying to work up a more versatile AR Carbine than my current one is set up... Currently it's a pre-ban flat-top 14.5" fluted HBAR with CAR stock. Even though it's short, it's very accurate out to 300 yards, as well as being at least 4 outa 10 on the steel sillouette at 500 yards, so I'm quite pleased with it. BUT, I have been wanting something a little less "M4" looking (even though the bbl is NOT M4 profile) so I am leaning towards the 16" mid-length Rock River Arms barrel attached to my current stuff. Heck, I've even been considering REMOVING that "evil" telescoping CAR stock and replacing it with an A1 stock

I actually managed to find a RRA 16" mid-length barrel that's CHROME LINED, which is super rare for Rock River, so I'm going to send it to KKF for either an A2 profile under the HG, or Turned and fluted. If you've ever seen a RRA barrel under the HG's, it's 1" thick all the way to the front sight! Talk about heavy!

I want as lightweight of a rifle as I can get, WITHOUT affecting current accuracy AT ALL. I don't want to free float the barrel, as it's not FF'ed now and it works fine. I just still wanna be able to go 10 for 10 on the 300 yard 12" steel plates, and at least 4 for 10 on the 500.

All my experience so far has been with HBARs and fluted HBARs. I can tell you from experience that there is NO difference in accuracy between the fluted and unfluted barrels on Bushmaster and Rock River rifles. But what I DON'T know is, is there any accuracy difference between the HBAR and an A2 "skinny" profile under the handguards?

Thanks for looking.

 

[Balog]

Uhh, you do realize that a rifle w/ a less than 16" barrel is illegal unless registered as a SBR with the BATF&E, right? Hope you didn't just admit to committing a felony on a public forum

 

[Zak Smith]

He's probably got a 1.5" long permanently attached muzzle device.

Even an ultralight barrel, such as JP's 18", can be very accurate-- it's like 0.5" or 0.6" under the handguards, and approximately HBAR in front of the gas block. I think it mainly depends on the quality of the barrel and not screwing it up with subsequent work.

-z

 

[BryanP]

Uhh, you do realize that a rifle w/ a less than 16" barrel is illegal unless registered as a SBR with the BATF&E, right?

He didn't specify but all of those 14.5" uppers that I've seen for sale have a flash hider or muzzle brake that is long enough to bring it up past the 16" limit. Usually a 2" muzzle brake. I suspect his does as well.

 

[Watch-Six]

In my experience a HBAR really adds nothing to accuracy until the barrel gets hot. It certainly can also help if the rifle is not free floated. A light barrel that is free floated can be very accurate until it gets hot, then who knows. Some stay accurate, but most will open up the groups with heat. Watch-Six

 

[Mikul]

The other area that the HBar helps is barrel vibration. They vibrate less which should make them more consistent with (and this is important) the right load.

One more thing... They also put more weight forward which helps with followup shots by reducing muzzle climb.

 

[Onslaught]

You're right, I didn't specify... It's a 14.5" with a permanently attached Phantom. That's another reason it's getting on my nerves. I wanted to put a flip-up front sight on it, and to do that, you gotta remove the flash supressor.

You know... an SBR is only a $200 one-time fee, so it's not completely uncommon.

Thanks for the input guys... Sounds like turned & fluted it is...

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

My Model 6700 HBAR is much more accurate and precise than any other AR I've owned, even those I paid more than 2-3x the price of the 6700.

I have no problems with it at all.

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[BDM]

To ONSLAUGHT you could always grind off the front sight above the housing that the gas tube fits in and get a flip up modular front site from bushmaster that goes over the shaved off base.