Best Value 223/556 Barrel?

[BigNate]

I have a BA Hanson on a 11.3" 1:7 pistol that flat out stacks holes.
On another I used a Faxon 16" also 1:7 and it shoots just as well if not better.
Both of these get 69gr or 77gr ammo. Just for plinking around I'd stay 1:8

 

[Hoss50]

This barrel will shoot it all from 55-77gr most likely. It will be a plinker rifle, but also potentially a hunting rifle for our small coues whitetail deer and smaller game for him.

I thought about a 14.5 with pin and weld, but I already ordered his 15" handguard, so I think I will stay with 16".

I would love to do a 11.3 or 12.5 but don't want to SBR it and I don't want it to be brace only.

 

[DDB TX]

Have built two Odinworks barrel/bolt/BCG combos in 6.5 Grendel. They were on Ebay as kits. Squared the upper receiver to the barrels and added a 2 stage RRA trigger and that is about it. Photos of the 2 rifles' performance at about 50 rounds. Penny pics are 5 shots, not counting fouler, at 100 yds, from the 20 incher; dime, "00" and tape measure pics are final 3 shots from the 18 incher at 100, 4th round was from prior sight adjustment. Odinworks come with an adjustable gas system, that you set up once for your rifle and load, but can't really adjust after that.

 

[Bucefal]

Both Ballistic Advantage and Faxon offer solid barrels in the $150-250 range. Wilson Combat is pricier but can be worth it if you catch a sale.

 

[C-130 Dude]

My younger son and I are working on his first AR upper. We have tentatively decided on 223/556 as the caliber in a 16" light to medium profile. He is 9 currently and we want to keep the weight down.

Who makes a good barrel for the dollar? I see Ballistic Advantage and Faxon alot in the $150-250 price range, but read good and bad on them? I have been looking at Wilson Combat also, on sale they can go under $300.

Thoughts, suggestions?

Thank
Harley

Both BA and Faxon are good. Criterion is another. None will break your bank. Stay safe and have fun.

 

[Kernal1984]

LaRue makes an excellent barrel and can be found on the cheap right now.

LaRue Tactical PredatAR A3 5.56mm Threaded Barrel LT15-6S-T-223-8-16-Y-1M-A3 Color: Black, Caliber: 5.56mm, Barrel Length: 16 in, 61% Off w/ Free Shipping

Shop LaRue Tactical PredatAR A3 5.56mm Threaded Barrel | 61% Off 5 Star Rating on 1 Review for LaRue Tactical PredatAR A3 5.56mm Threaded Barrel + Free Shipping over $49.

www.opticsplanet.com

 

[Hoss50]

LaRue makes an excellent barrel and can be found on the cheap right now.

LaRue Tactical PredatAR A3 5.56mm Threaded Barrel LT15-6S-T-223-8-16-Y-1M-A3 Color: Black, Caliber: 5.56mm, Barrel Length: 16 in, 61% Off w/ Free Shipping

Shop LaRue Tactical PredatAR A3 5.56mm Threaded Barrel | 61% Off 5 Star Rating on 1 Review for LaRue Tactical PredatAR A3 5.56mm Threaded Barrel + Free Shipping over $49.

www.opticsplanet.com

I ordered 1 of those Larue barrels. If he wants something different I will use it to build a nicer upper for my AR.

I am running a PSA build kit upper with great success, but a better upper for the go to AR probably isn't terrible.

 

[Cotay]

For "rack grade" AR barrels I currently have barrels from Odin Works, CMMG (x2), Criterion, Ballistic Advantage, AR-15 Performance (out of business sadly), Integrity Arms (from when they sold ARP barrels), Spikes (FN CHF/Chrome lined Optimum profile), Tri-Arc (x2), Faxon (x5), Green Mountain (x2), Patriot Ordnance Factory, Wilson Combat (x2), Shaw, Brownells (made by Faxon), Anderson, AR Stoner (pre-Bear Creek), and even a Bear Creek. Each barrel was chosen for a specific use case/rifle design requirement with appropriate length and profile.

It sounds like you are looking for a 16" general purpose defensive AR barrel and for that purpose I would choose either the Criterion Core (27 ounces if I recall) or the Spikes FN CHF/Chrome lined Optimum profile (Model SB51606-ML) at 26 ounces. Lots of folks like to hate on Spikes on some of the elitist forums where you catch shade if you aren't rocking Daniel Defense, Noveske, or BCM, but that Spikes FN-made Cold Hammer Forged/Chrome lined barrel is legit at around $250 street. I personally would not own a Government profile barrel and would stick with a modern profile like the Core or Optimum for a balance of weight and POI shift.