[rmcdermid]

Hey Guys,

I am trying to build a nice light .223 upper. I pulled the trigger on a Spikes upper receiver this evening, and I am going to start looking at barrels. What should I be looking for? This upper is mostly for the wife. She wants something with plain old iron sights.

Thoughts?

 

[rcrandall]

Depends on what your price range is. I recommend a 5.56 chamber so you can shoot both 5.56 and .223 and 1x7 twist so you can shoot up to 77gr OTM's and 70gr TSX. Look at LMT, Bravocompanyusa, Noveski, etc. I would stay away from places like Model 1 sales and DPMS who have tight chambers. I like Colt barrels but they are hard to get and expensive. Keep an eye on specialized armament who specializes in Colt. I also think LWRC is selling their new barrels.

 

[rmcdermid]

Obviously you get what you pay for. I am looking to build a budget upper. I would like to get out of the door for around 500 with bolt and carrier. Is that unrealistic?

 

[rcrandall]

If you go with Bravocompanyusa you might be able to. I haven't compared prices lately....

 

[borderpatrol]

The demand is huge right now. Virtually any barrel that arrives at the vendors sell overnight. You can go to Bravo Company USA and electronically request to be notified the day an upper or barrel arrives. But you'd better have the plastic ready and monitor the emails on a regular basis because they go at the spped of light. I always prefer stainless barrels and I personally refuse to purchase anything with a chrome lining. Other people feel the opposite. Whatever your preference good luck, right now you need it.

 

[pantherdude]

I wouldn't discount DPMS. Their 5.56 barrels are ok. The problem is with 6.8 chambers. However, most of their barrels are a 1:9 twist which is probably better suited for a 62 gr. bullet. They do make a barrel for the MK12 that has a different twist but I don't recall what it is. Like somebody posted earlier, it depends how much you want to spend. There are better options than DPMS though but all in all the 5.56 barrels are not bad. I have one and it shoots better than me and have yet to have a problem with it.

 

[rmcdermid]

What is the twist rate on the Stag barrels? Are these worth looking at? I dont plan on buying it right away, but I am starting my research now. The hope is that when I am ready to buy the demand wont be so high. That being said i may end u ordering one now and just waiting for it to get here.

 

[rcrandall]

Stag has a 1x9 twist. Bravocompanyusa, Colt, Noveski, LWRC, and LMT are some that are 1x7. The 1x9 twist will stabilize most bullets, but when you start getting around the 75 and 77 grain mark for standard bullets and the 70gr mark for the TSX then a 1x7 is better. Some 1x9's will stabilize the longer bullets and others will not.

 

[ArtFWTx]

You mentioned "light". CMMG has a series of lightweight profile barrels and uppers. They use 4150 steel, chrome lined, and are MPI tested.

 

[rmcdermid]

How is this barrel? Apparently they are Wilson blanks from what I hear.

http://www.del-ton.com/ProductDetails.a ... 3&CartID=1