Nail driver
Using factory fed match 175 smk, 2500+/- fps and zeroed at 20 yards ( four rounds one hole) left me 1 moa low at 400 yards. Rings steel at 700 yards all day with just enough effort to make it fun. Cycles greats. Needed a little smoothing of the edges on star chamber lugs to stop scratching brass and head spaced perfect with an Aero Precision bolt group. I don't shoot paper, just steel but the barrel is there.
Accurate
I bought one of these barrels before for a customer build, was surprised with the accuracy and bought one for myself. Ive bought the 22 Criterion stainless target barrel and wasnt happy with the accuracy, actually enough that I sent it back to Criterion. This 20 chrome lined barrel is very well made, very accurate. 165 HPBT Sierra, 44.5 grains of Vit N-550, 1/2five shot groups at 200 yards.
Very accurate
Installed it on a Aero upper receiver with JP lightened bolt and adjustable gas block, and the JP one piece buffer spring. Once sighted in with .308 Win 147 grain bullets ( various brands) at 100 yds using a Night Force scope. It was able to hit a 20 inch round plate at 600 yards. The group was a little less than 10 inches. Using Remington and Federal match grade ammo, the group tightened up to around 6 to 8 inches. Using IMI match brass, Vihtavouri powder, and the 165 grain Hornady match bullets (new custom loaded), the group tightened up to about 5 to 6 inches, and thats at 500 and 600 yards. Mostly in the 5 inch or less range. Range only go up to 600. No wind, temp was about 80 degrees.
Great barrel
I am very pleased with this barrel, function and fit are great and the accuracy is outstanding, I have not measured the groups, but with good work on my part the holes are all touching at 100 yards with 168 grain A Max bullets.
Amendment to my Previous review !
When I purchased this I had no idea how accurate it would be, I have since then put 100 rounds+ thru the barrel and feel it was worth the money, initially I expected smaller groups then I got but at the 40 round mark the groups started to shrink, I now am getting 3/4 " center to center of 3 shot groups at 100 yards, consistently with 168 Match King bullets or Federal match ammunition, I am thrilled to get that kind of accuracy out of a chrome lined barrel.! Thank You Brownell's (not to mention CBI !) Oh and I have read that it is possible that the grouping might improve from the above !
Perfect 16" .308 Barrel
Fit and finish on this barrel is amazing. The phosphate finish is so dark, you'd think it was nitride and the chrome plate just wraps up into the crown, forming a perfect concentric. Melonite is awesome, but the jury is still out on what that second dose of high heat does to the metal after it's already been treated. That's why I prefer old school phosphate and chrome lining and this one's treatment is top notch. When a company goes to the length to do such an awesome job with the chrome, you know they are pros. One of the reasons melonite is so popular is because it's easier to do than chrome lining, so is it better, time will tell. The ramps and lugs are sharp and smooth. The profile isn't heavy, but obviously not government either. It's between the two, but leaning towards heavy, which I prefer. The shoulder for the gas block is perfectly cut, and the dimple was just slightly more towards the shoulder than the gas block set screw hole and had a little depth to it. This is good because as you torque the screw down it pulls the block up close to the shoulder. Not sure if that is the case with all blocks, but that's how it worked with my Spike's lo pro block. It also fit my Aero Precision upper perfectly AND they are made in my home state! What's not to like!
very Nice
appears well crafted the other reviewers comments on the 16"barrel apply here as well Haven't shot it yet but depending on group size will change the number of stars to 5 ! I hope !
