I could use some AR barrel advise .

kymasabe · August 2, 2018, 11:02 AM

Long story short, I find myself in possession of two ballistic advantage barrels, I can only afford to keep one and have to return the other. Both are Hanson series barrels.
First is 16 inch, 5.56, mid length, QPQ coated. Other is 18 inch, .223 Wylde, mid length, bead blasted stainless.
I tend to lean towards black barrels, and short, light AR's. But, the 16 inch isn't an m4 profile or gov't profile, looks tapered and is heavier than usual. 27 oz, while the stainless 18 incher is 40 oz.
Is there a good reason why I should settle for a bead blasted stainless finish and go for the longer barrel and .223 Wylde chamber? Or stick with "business as usual" and go with the 16 inch?
I'm sure both barrels are capable of excellent accuracy.

T. O'Heir · August 2, 2018, 11:35 AM

Advice? The .223 Wylde lets you chamber any .223 or 5.56NATO ammo. Really just a longer throat.
The metal finish can easily and relatively inexpensively changed to any colour you want. Even SS.
Too much velocity loss with the wee short barrel. Far less government interference too.

pblanc · August 2, 2018, 11:56 AM

Well, any 5.56 barrel will let you shoot either .223 Rem or 5.56. But the Wylde barrel is said to be a bit more accurate for .223 Rem than a 5.56 barrel.

lordmorgul · August 2, 2018, 02:10 PM

Keep the Hanson, it is a fantastic compromise between weight and performance. It makes a great 16” rifle.

Later, build another upper with a 20” SPR barrel stainless... if you want it, but for now the 2” from 16” to 18” is minimal for the weight increase you’re seeing (which is also material difference not just length). You’ll get around an 52oz barrel or so later, 20” and better profile. With a 20” you’ll get ~350 FPS more and only about ~175 FPS more from 18”. The 20” will be better for accurate heavy bullet shooting for high power competition or just fun.

The 16” Hanson mid length profile is great, I have both that barrel and an Aero Precision 16” mid length profile (same maker, BA makes Aero barrels but with a different profile). I also have a 20” Fluted heavy profile rifle length Green Mountain Rifle barrel in 223 Wylde chamber.

My 16” Hanson barrel is easily 1 MOA @ 100 yards with match ammo and rings 600 yard steel with ease, and thru entire magazines, which is what the thicker profile is for. It’s a quality product.

Andrew - Lancaster, CA
NRA Life Member, Calguns.net contributor, CGF / SAF / CRPA / FPC / USCCA member

marine6680 · August 2, 2018, 07:09 PM

Is there a particular role to fill that would warrant the heavier barrel, that may or may not be more accurate?

BA barrels are pretty accurate across the board, so the SS may be more accurate, it may not be significantly so.

It weighs a lot more as well.

The Hanson profile is thicker at the chamber area to help it stay consistent through a long string of fire, without the weight of a heavy profile barrel.

On the whole, it's the better general use option.

kymasabe · August 3, 2018, 01:03 PM

Thank you all. I had to make a decision so, I kept the black QPQ coated 16 inch Hanson performance barrel and returned the 18 inch stainless one. Now I jyst need to save up for a BCG and a handguard, and my build will be complete.
Added: I figured either barrel waa capable of better accuracy than I can ever accomplish, I'm the weak link in the equation, so i might as well go for the shorter, lighter barrel with the color I prefer.

August 2, 2018, 11:02 AM	#1
kymasabe Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,747	I could use some AR barrel advise . Long story short, I find myself in possession of two ballistic advantage barrels, I can only afford to keep one and have to return the other. Both are Hanson series barrels. First is 16 inch, 5.56, mid length, QPQ coated. Other is 18 inch, .223 Wylde, mid length, bead blasted stainless. I tend to lean towards black barrels, and short, light AR's. But, the 16 inch isn't an m4 profile or gov't profile, looks tapered and is heavier than usual. 27 oz, while the stainless 18 incher is 40 oz. Is there a good reason why I should settle for a bead blasted stainless finish and go for the longer barrel and .223 Wylde chamber? Or stick with "business as usual" and go with the 16 inch? I'm sure both barrels are capable of excellent accuracy. __________________ God's creatures big and small, eat them one, eat them all.

August 2, 2018, 11:35 AM	#2
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Advice? The .223 Wylde lets you chamber any .223 or 5.56NATO ammo. Really just a longer throat. The metal finish can easily and relatively inexpensively changed to any colour you want. Even SS. Too much velocity loss with the wee short barrel. Far less government interference too. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

August 2, 2018, 02:10 PM	#4
lordmorgul Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2016 Posts: 206	I could use some AR barrel advise . Keep the Hanson, it is a fantastic compromise between weight and performance. It makes a great 16” rifle. Later, build another upper with a 20” SPR barrel stainless... if you want it, but for now the 2” from 16” to 18” is minimal for the weight increase you’re seeing (which is also material difference not just length). You’ll get around an 52oz barrel or so later, 20” and better profile. With a 20” you’ll get ~350 FPS more and only about ~175 FPS more from 18”. The 20” will be better for accurate heavy bullet shooting for high power competition or just fun. The 16” Hanson mid length profile is great, I have both that barrel and an Aero Precision 16” mid length profile (same maker, BA makes Aero barrels but with a different profile). I also have a 20” Fluted heavy profile rifle length Green Mountain Rifle barrel in 223 Wylde chamber. My 16” Hanson barrel is easily 1 MOA @ 100 yards with match ammo and rings 600 yard steel with ease, and thru entire magazines, which is what the thicker profile is for. It’s a quality product. Andrew - Lancaster, CA NRA Life Member, Calguns.net contributor, CGF / SAF / CRPA / FPC / USCCA member

August 3, 2018, 01:03 PM	#6
kymasabe Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,747	Thank you all. I had to make a decision so, I kept the black QPQ coated 16 inch Hanson performance barrel and returned the 18 inch stainless one. Now I jyst need to save up for a BCG and a handguard, and my build will be complete. Added: I figured either barrel waa capable of better accuracy than I can ever accomplish, I'm the weak link in the equation, so i might as well go for the shorter, lighter barrel with the color I prefer. __________________ God's creatures big and small, eat them one, eat them all. Last edited by kymasabe; August 3, 2018 at 02:50 PM.

August 2, 2018, 11:56 AM	#3
pblanc Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 697	Well, any 5.56 barrel will let you shoot either .223 Rem or 5.56. But the Wylde barrel is said to be a bit more accurate for .223 Rem than a 5.56 barrel.

August 2, 2018, 07:09 PM	#5
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 4,594	Is there a particular role to fill that would warrant the heavier barrel, that may or may not be more accurate? BA barrels are pretty accurate across the board, so the SS may be more accurate, it may not be significantly so. It weighs a lot more as well. The Hanson profile is thicker at the chamber area to help it stay consistent through a long string of fire, without the weight of a heavy profile barrel. On the whole, it's the better general use option.