AR-15/M16 MATCH BARREL/BOLT SET Reviews & Ratings

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.

Exactly what I wanted. A tack driver at 100yds and an excellent barrel at 500m. Mine loves 75gr bthp along with a healthy 25.4gr TAC. Will buy another for a 2nd gun. Thanks Shilen and Brownells.

This is a great barrel for an AR 15. The fit and finish are superb and the matching bolt makes it a perfect drop in upgrade for any mil spec AR. This barrel is a 1/2 MOA set up for an AR. I have been able to test it out to 165 yards and it is dead on and consistent with XM855 ammo. I am in the process of developing a hand load for it and have great expectations. I can't wait to test it at 400+ yards. It will repeatedly dot nickel size or better groups at 150 yards witth 10 shots. I couldn't be more pleased. It is pricey, but if you are looking for a terrifically accurate barrel, this is the ticket. Mounted on a DPMS upper/lower, Yankee Hill free float foregrip, Magpul PRS butt stock, and Geissele DMR trigger. Brownell's has all the parts to build a real shooter.

Accuracy has proven to be superb, at 50 yards indoors with a 3-9X scope off a front rest and shouldered stock 3 shot groups that can be completely covered with a dime are routine. I've also seen no muzzle flash and it shoots quietly enough that I can hear the buffer spring "twang" when the bolt returns. (Makes it really easy to know when an empty mag has locked the bolt back). So, I don't see any need to have the barrel threaded. Chambering is on the "tight" side for headspace so ammo should be gaged. However, this means that case growth due to firing is near nill and this will extend case life. A fired case checks at just 0.001 inch "long" in my Wilson case gage so they are light to full length size and after one cycle the cases are still at my Trim To length. The only possible negative is the weight, this is not a light weight barrel and my complete rifle with A2 stock and Gibbz Arms upper and handguard is 9.5 lbs. BTW, I'm not using the supplied Bolt, I am using the Nickel Boron Bolt that came with my Spikes Tactical bolt carrier group and the Spikes bolt was a dimensional match for the Shillen bolt.

I have been able to shoot 1/2 MOA or better groups with this barrel so far with Hornady Superformance Varmint factory loads. I expect even better results once I start handloading this caliber. This barrel is definitely top quality.

Great exterior finish. Gas Block req'd internal sanding for push fit. Barrel extension was firm push fit to Aero-Precision upper. Porting was correct and required no adjustments. Barrel was fired 1x, then attached target with 2 different loads was shot. Wow. Perfect weather, dead calm, 61 degrees. Scope was on 16x. Benchrest with bags.