Just how bad is a $90 barrel ?

[majohnson]

The edges on the Grendel bolt get pretty thin considering the OD on the base of the case. Something to keep an eye on.

When I built my 6.5, I was surprised by what a small frame could do. Even in the afternoon wind at Bryers, it out preformed any expectation I had.

 

[wildcatter]

Looks are very deceiving, good or bad looks does not prove how accurate a barrel is! Tight spots, deeper or shallower rifelings are not visible that can matter. Even chatter marks don't dictate a barrel won't shoot!

But in all honesty, anyone who buys a barrel for 90 bucks, used or new. Is very lucky if it's worth shooting! They all go bang! But your a very lucky buyer if you ever find one that does this day in and day out

If you ever do, I'd suggest you go buy a lottery ticket, odds are you you will be a millionaire if you do,,,,,, personally, I probably expect more from any gun I own than what a 90 dollar barrel can ever offer.

 

[jelenko]

I think it depends on the level of accuracy you're expecting.
I've bought 5 AR Stoner and/or Bear Creek AR barrels. 2 would shoot 1/2 MOA groups. The other three were > 1.5 MOA groups.

 

[jds holler]

also need to stop trying to shoot my AR's off of a front rest and rear bag and just run my bipod and bag . They just plain don't seem to work well of of a front rest . First two were rest last one was bipod

I think I'm with ya on that. Ima beginner with this AR thing, and so far my little Harris bipod shows promise. jd

 

[Ccrider]

well known movie and recording star, "Ice Cube"??

Couldn’t help but laugh when I read this. @jds holler, you afraid to say “rapper” on this site?

 

[jds holler]

Couldn’t help but laugh when I read this. @jds holler, you afraid to say “rapper” on this site?

I'm familiar with Ice Cube from a few movies where I actually enjoyed his performance. I can't say I've ever watched ANY rapper and enjoyed the performance. I'm a rocker, not a rapper. jd

 

[SecondsCount]

I've been pleasantly surprised by some low cost AR-15 barrels. The top tier stuff is worth it if you don't want to gamble, but I've seen many sub MOA groups from barrels that cost $100-150.

 

[snowpro440]

Do they resemble savage barrels somewhat , look ruff as a cob but shoot lights out !
I bought some pre chambered E.R.Shaw savage barrels from the Gun Shack for $165 a while back and every one shot excellent groups.

 

[mattri]

Thanks for the interesting thread, will be watching for updates.
FWIW I built a 338-06 a few years ago with a cheap barrel that shot really, really well. Cleaning it was a pain but very accurate.

 

[DiffEQ]

@Wolfdog91 , thanks for taking the time and posting this.
I bought a Bear Creek Black Friday 6.5 Grendel barrel for $68 back in 2018. It had machining problems and they replaced it. Though it took six months to get the replacement, the one they replaced it with is easily sub MOA.
You see Bear Creek barrels a lot, marketed by other resellers.
Delta Team Tactical had a close-out on BCA barrels in 450 Bushmaster for $79 around Halloween, so I took a chance on one. Got what I paid for. The barrel is at 4 o'clock from the bull, out 8" at 100. It's consistent at least -- the bullets will be touching, but they're no where near where they need to be. I waited too long to build to find out, so no returning it. Seems to me the barrel extension was wonky to start with.
I toy with the idea of getting a big bore barrel extension, but think that might be tossing good money after bad. One of these days I'll buy a replacement barrel.

It's not just cheap barrels. A buddy bought a FN Patrol, and the barrel was badly off-center in the hand guard. We couldn't hit 24 x 36 paper with it at 50 yards. It's on its way back to FN in SC to be repaired/replaced.

 

[Fast14riot]

One of my mid range AR match guns is built entirely of spare parts, 80% lower "milled" on a cheap bench top drill press, has a $129 Midway clearance 24" 6.8spcII barrel on it, and Tasco 6-24 scope. Fortunately, I've been shooting that cartridge in long barreled AR for a long time but got it tuned to shoot an average of 0.75moa for the last 800 rounds.

Shot several "possible" scores with that gun in steel matches.

The fluted barrel upper is the midway special, before I built a dedicated lower for it from spare parts.

 

[Larry Koch]

When it comes to barrels price and reputation matters. you can always use water pipe in a pinch.

 

[jelenko]

The barrel is at 4 o'clock from the bull, out 8" at 100

What happens if you adjust your sights so the bullets impact the middle of the bull?

 

[msalm]

I’ve made a fair # of AR barrels from Green Mountain unturned blanks. I contour the barrel, lap the bores with a lead lap and then thread/chamber. They all have shot extremely well, MOA or better. Some much better than MOA. All from a $50 blank. Just my experience, and I’ve also made a bunch from Brux, Rock Creek and others and had a bit better results, but not appreciably so. Likely has more to do with clean crowns and well centered throats on the chambers, but that’s just my thoughts.

 

[DiffEQ]

What happens if you adjust your sights so the bullets impact the middle of the bull?

Don't have that much adjustment.
Besides, it isn't right.
After writing my first post, I ordered a Faxon barrel, G2 handguard, self timing brake and an Aero XL stripped upper.
It may not be the barrel that's bad, though I suspect it is. Hence, once I have the rifle back up and running, I'll tear apart the old stuff and verify where it ran afoul.

 

[jelenko]

Don't have that much adjustment.
Besides, it isn't right.
After ordering it, ordered a Faxon barrel, G2 handguard, self timing brake and an Aero XL stripped upper.
It may not be the barrel that's bad, though I suspect it is. Hence, once I have the rifle back up and running, I'll tear apart the old stuff and verify where it ran afoul.

FYI. When I move a scope from one AR upper to another one, the POI is often different by 5-8 MOA.

 

[DiffEQ]

FYI. When I move a scope from one AR upper to another one, the POI is often different by 5-8 MOA.

Yes, I experience the same when I play musical scopes. I re-center my optic when in doubt
This one is is off.
Edit to add, I've put three different optics on it, and they all agree with each other and how far off the barrel is.

 

[tommeboy]

That throat is what happens when a company lets their reamer go way past dull.

 

[Wolfdog91]

A $90 barrel, I see spending a lot of time, money and effort to find out that it is a $90 barrel.
I believe one gets what they pay for.
I know a fellow that builds such things. Then expects ultimate accuracy and reliability, then asks why, only to find numerous people give him the same answer, which he doesn’t like or disregards. He then nickels and dimes it to death and ends up with more in it than a good build would have cost to begin with.
I work hard enough for my money, I won’t gamble on an out come, nor waste a lot of time on a maybe. Even if it is a truck or tractor gun, I want it to hit what I am aiming at.

Yeaaaah deal is I don't expect "ultimate accuracy" like I said multiple times in the video " it's a $90 barrel what do you expect" and I'll be honest with you , I personally don't have to current skil set to shoot like some of y'all nor really the need. To be 100% fair, as much as it pains me to say , for most of what I do a Really a 1 1/2 MOA gun will work just fine. I try to keep everything at 3/4" ( I know still I joke to many on here but that's honestly a good for me) but honestly within 500yd which is about my max 1 1/2" does about every thing I wnat for my piddly little needs

But anyhow originally I was building this are to shoot cast 6.5 Grendel and was gonna do some interesting stuff that might have caused it to lead pretty bad and I don't wanna drop $200 on a break and lead it the heck up.

But yeah it's a $90 barrel. If it shoots better then a bartline or something great , if not , obe wasted $90 on way stupider lol.

 

[Wolfdog91]

I always enjoy your threads Wolfdog, and I also appreciate a cheap -- ummm economical deal. But what I really want to know is if I'm the only one who thinks that you look like the well known movie and recording star, "Ice Cube"?? jd
View attachment 1540887

Asked around and was told I'm more of a 50 cent look alike