Ballistic Advantage 14.7 Mid Length AR15 Barrel

NorthernBlue · March 23, 2018, 02:40 AM

Who has this set-up on an AR? I just built one. It is a nice barrel but I am finding that it appears to over-gassed...alot? Just wondering how it worked out for others.

I first built it with the BA 14.7, DSArms NP3 Bolt Carrier Group, STD Buffer, STD Buffer Spring, PSA Nickel plated standard trigger. The recoil was immense using Hornady .223 55gr TAP URBAN rounds. Ejected them HARD to the 1 o clock and it was hard to keep the muzzle flat. My stock Colt 6920 was much easier to control. Rifle and ammunition was about 30 degrees fahrenheit.

I added an H1 buffer, and noted about no difference.

I used the H1 and added a SpringCo Blue buffer spring. Much better. TAP casings are coming out around 1:30 to 2 and not as hard. I tried some handloads. 55gn FMJ, H335, with CCI 400 primers. 20.5 gn of H335 all locked back on empty and ejected to the 4. 21.5gn all locked back and ejected to the 3. 22.5, 23.5, and 24.5 all ejected to 1:30 to 2:30. 23.5 and 24.5 gn felt about the same as TAP URBAN. Rifle and ammunition again was about 30 degrees fahrenheit.

I was surprised to see it lock back on the 20.5gn loads. Those are SOFT loadings.

Again, anyone run this barrel? What is your setup and how is it running for you? I would like to get this to shoot about the same as my stock Colt 6920.

Mobuck · March 23, 2018, 06:59 AM

I'd suggest an adjustable gas block installed SOON before you break something.
Anytime .223 "recoil was immense" there's something WRONG.

**4V50 Gary** · March 23, 2018, 08:50 AM

I know that the Ruger Mini-14 had different size gas port holes for different barrel lengths. I tried to find out from a summer teacher at TSJC what size gas port holes for what length barrel. He kept mum and was more interested in selling parts than dispensing information. Go with an adjustable gas block as Mobuck suggested.

NorthernBlue · March 24, 2018, 12:06 AM

This may end up a duty rifle...so that leaves me unsure about an adjustable gas block. I may just have to dump this barrel for another. The gas port is .785...well, the AeroPrecision version is, which is the same barrel rebranded.

Mobuck · March 24, 2018, 05:35 AM

" I may just have to dump this barrel for another. The gas port is .785."
??????????
That's a BIG hole but I'm assuming you missed a zero or two. Don't "dump it" as I might be interested in it as a project---dependent on "dump value" of course.

NorthernBlue · March 24, 2018, 04:53 PM

.0785 :-)

The thing is, that port size is about in line with BCM and a few others. So I am not even sure which barrel company to go with.

Mobuck · March 24, 2018, 07:57 PM

A 14.5" mid-length gas might have a bit bigger gas port diameter than a 16" mid or carbine gas 14.5". I don't delve deeply into such things as port diameter so really have no clue as to how yours compares to others.

March 23, 2018, 02:40 AM	#1
NorthernBlue Member Join Date: July 29, 2016 Location: Alaska Posts: 56	Ballistic Advantage 14.7 Mid Length AR15 Barrel Who has this set-up on an AR? I just built one. It is a nice barrel but I am finding that it appears to over-gassed...alot? Just wondering how it worked out for others. I first built it with the BA 14.7, DSArms NP3 Bolt Carrier Group, STD Buffer, STD Buffer Spring, PSA Nickel plated standard trigger. The recoil was immense using Hornady .223 55gr TAP URBAN rounds. Ejected them HARD to the 1 o clock and it was hard to keep the muzzle flat. My stock Colt 6920 was much easier to control. Rifle and ammunition was about 30 degrees fahrenheit. I added an H1 buffer, and noted about no difference. I used the H1 and added a SpringCo Blue buffer spring. Much better. TAP casings are coming out around 1:30 to 2 and not as hard. I tried some handloads. 55gn FMJ, H335, with CCI 400 primers. 20.5 gn of H335 all locked back on empty and ejected to the 4. 21.5gn all locked back and ejected to the 3. 22.5, 23.5, and 24.5 all ejected to 1:30 to 2:30. 23.5 and 24.5 gn felt about the same as TAP URBAN. Rifle and ammunition again was about 30 degrees fahrenheit. I was surprised to see it lock back on the 20.5gn loads. Those are SOFT loadings. Again, anyone run this barrel? What is your setup and how is it running for you? I would like to get this to shoot about the same as my stock Colt 6920.

March 23, 2018, 08:50 AM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,829	I know that the Ruger Mini-14 had different size gas port holes for different barrel lengths. I tried to find out from a summer teacher at TSJC what size gas port holes for what length barrel. He kept mum and was more interested in selling parts than dispensing information. Go with an adjustable gas block as Mobuck suggested. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

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March 23, 2018, 06:59 AM	#2
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	I'd suggest an adjustable gas block installed SOON before you break something. Anytime .223 "recoil was immense" there's something WRONG.

March 24, 2018, 12:06 AM	#4
NorthernBlue Member Join Date: July 29, 2016 Location: Alaska Posts: 56	This may end up a duty rifle...so that leaves me unsure about an adjustable gas block. I may just have to dump this barrel for another. The gas port is .785...well, the AeroPrecision version is, which is the same barrel rebranded.

March 24, 2018, 05:35 AM	#5
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	" I may just have to dump this barrel for another. The gas port is .785." ?????????? That's a BIG hole but I'm assuming you missed a zero or two. Don't "dump it" as I might be interested in it as a project---dependent on "dump value" of course.

March 24, 2018, 04:53 PM	#6
NorthernBlue Member Join Date: July 29, 2016 Location: Alaska Posts: 56	.0785 :-) The thing is, that port size is about in line with BCM and a few others. So I am not even sure which barrel company to go with.

March 24, 2018, 07:57 PM	#7
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	A 14.5" mid-length gas might have a bit bigger gas port diameter than a 16" mid or carbine gas 14.5". I don't delve deeply into such things as port diameter so really have no clue as to how yours compares to others.