SHILEN - AR-15/M16 24" 204 Ruger Barrel/Bolt Set SS No Threads

I waited a while to do this review. I got into the AR platform within the last several years, and I've been hooked since. I've purchased about eight different barrels from different manufacturers, and this one I purchased from Shilen has probably been the one that has both high build quality as well as high performance. I'm an avid handloader, and I like to experiment with many different loads, and it's not hard for me to widdle down a load to 1/2 MOA groups. That's with a 20x scope.

This Shilen .223 Wylde caliber is a very high-quality AR barrel. Just what I was looking for in my build. While looking for the barrel break-in instructions on Shilen's website I read no break-in really necessary. The bore is already hand polished. I took them at their word. First time shooting with this barrel I was already very pleased. My rounds were homemade 77 grain Nosler CC, 22.6 grains Viht N140, once fired BGA brass, CCI 400 primers and no case crimp. This produced some very small groups at 100 yards. One very tiny three shot sub 1/4" (center to center) group and several 1/4" to 1/2" MOA once I got settled down and dialed in. Not too shabby for first time out and guessing on the load. I installed this barrel in an Aero Precision Enhanced upper. The barrel fit was so tight I had to use a soft rubber mallet to fully seat the barrel into the receiver. A Magpul PRS gen 3 stock helped steady the rifle off a rest. I used an adjustable clamp-on gas block as I did not want to drill a dimple in the barrel. This barrel has satisfied my want of a precision AR in .223. I have read where Shilen barrels are very well respected but not in the very top tier. Well, this fit perfectly in my budget and easily met my expectations. Best of luck with yours!

Very good quality barrel. I was actually looking for a non-threaded 20-inch barrel before I bought this. I am looking for tightest groups. This barrel was in between low and high price points for what I was looking for. I didn't bother with an extended break-in as Shilen seems to suggest is a waste of ammo and barrel life. They lap their barrels anyway. First outing was 50 rounds. After sight-in I was getting nice groups with 77 grain Nosler CC and Vith N140. I'll work up a load that this barrel shoots well in time. I came with the matched bolt. There is a number etched on the bolt matching the barrel I suppose. Or maybe employee number? I checked headspace before install and it passed. I installed a .750 adjustable gas block just butted up to the step. I went with adjustable as it was the only kind I could find in stock with the clamp style fitting. There is no dimple on the barrel opposite the gas port. I was not about to make a dimple on this fine stainless-steel barrel. The gas block had to be adjusted almost all the way open for proper bolt carrier function with Wilson rifle length gas tube. I had fun shooting this and was not disappointed. No regrets purchasing this barrel. Brownells shipped this very quickly!!!

I shot a ~.3 moa 10 shot 100 yd group the other day with one flyer that I pulled on. Was shooting some 60 grain bullets over 24.5 grains of AR Comp. Never would I have though that an AR could do this! Shilen barrels hold many records and this is proof as to why. Not saying other barrels are not good, or even great but how much better can you do in a gas gun. This made my AR out shoot several of my bolt guns. Great work Shilen, keep it up as I will defiantly be getting another barrel from you guys.

Installed this barrel / bolt on an otherwise MIL-SPEC AR. I only have 50 rounds through it (Hornady 32 gr. V-Max) but my first 5 shot group was sub 1/2 inch at 100 yards. Most subsequent 3 round groups have been under 1/2 inch down to 1/4. The day will come that I put 3 rounds through the same hole with this barrel. It is certainly not inexpensive but I would have never believed that you could achieve this kind of performance with a semi-auto rifle, especially an AR...Wow.