Any great .204 AR barrel makers?

[mitch_04]

Hi all,
Just wondering what luck you guys have had with various .204 barrels on your AR's. I have an AR with a 6.8 Shilen 24" varmint barrel that I love, and was going to build another upper in .204 until I found out they have a 10-12 week backorder. I have sent a few emails around, but just wondering what barrels are recommended. Would like to keep the 24" .920ish diameter in the $300-400 range, considering Rock River's varmint barrel, maybe a Lilja depending on wait time. Let me know what you've shot, are shooting, and some groups if possible.

Thanks all,

Mitch

 

[40X Guy]

I personally have not played with .204 Rugers in AR's but this guy www.precisionfirearms.com has complete uppers in stock or just barrels in .204. Lilja and Shilen are his barrels of choice. I bought a complete billet upper in standard .223 Wylde from him at a large gun show and I was impressed with his knowledge and inventory.

Frank

 

[mitch_04]

Just sent him an email. I didn't see any barrels by themselves, hopefully he'll sell me one!

 

[gtl1946]

My 20 Vartarg and 20BR bolt guns sport Lilja's and are superb. For my AR choice I chose a 24" Kreiger and we chambered it in 20 Tac. . It also shot very well -some 1/4" 100 yd. groups . This was my gunsmiths (very reluctant) first AR upper build . In short stick with a good barrel maker and you won't be disapointed. My AR barrel length choice might(!!!) be for a shorter barrel because generally speaking shorter, is stiffer, is more accurate---just think about why you want that longer barrel . I've got a bit more velocity ,but more of a bench gun . Just think about what you want this gun for. In short good barrel makers make good barrels ,that's why they're good barrel makers.

 

[mitch_04]

I just ordered a Lilja 24" .875 .204 barrel. They had them in stock, so I went ahead with it! About $100 more than the Shilen I ordered from The Barrelman, but the same price as Shilen's retail. I didn't know Kreiger made .20 AR barrels, searched their site and it seemed like it wasn't an option. How much did the Kreiger run you? This gun is built for bipod shooting off of a bench/hilltop for praire dogs, the 6.8 upper is for coyotes.

Thanks

 

[40X Guy]

That Lilja barrel comes with break in instructions and will absolutely shoot lites out when you get it tuned.
Good shooting!

Frank

 

[gtl1946]

Mitch--you are partially correct . Kreiger no longer makes AR (20 cal.) barrels but does sell 20 cal. barrels for $385 . I just got off the phone w/Kreiger for that info. and found out that Accuracy Systems buys their 20 cal. barrels for Uppers . They suposedly have their own Web sight & phone # is 303-822-6849 . The Kreiger "do" shoot though but I wouldn't run from any QUALITY barrel maker.

 

[cmatera]

I have a 20" Hart barrel. Shoots very well. Cannot remember the price though.

 

[mitch_04]

Sounds good! Barrel gets here Monday, however I think I'll be waiting on the receiver parts for a little longer. Can't wait to start playing with loads!

 

[johnnyappleseed]

I've got a sabre defence 24" bull barrel that I can make 2 0f 3 shots at 100 yards touch if the wind isn't blowing and the rest is stable

That's with a leupold vx1 4-12

I'm in the process of upgrading the scope to a nightforce nxs 3- 15 and I can't wait to get it

 

[radshooter]

i am not sure if they make barrels for AR's, but my Cooper .204 is a tack driver....I called Cooper and they get all their barrels from Wilson Barrels (in CT).