I am building a general purpose AR and am looking for recommendations for lightweight barrels. While carbon fiber barrels are cool, they are out of my price range (<$300).

I am eyeing the BCM ELW 16" barrel right now... Are there are other barrels I should consider?

Thanks in advance!

I've been very happy with my BCM ELW barrels.

I like the Colt lightweight 16-inch barrels like installed on the 6720 carbine. Not as easy to find loose as a BCM, which you can just order online.

I have a Faxon pencil barrel in 10.5" on my SBR. Do far it has preformed very well. I have gotten 1.5" to 2" groups from M193 and Hornady American Gunner 55gr HP match.

I also have a PSA pencil weight midlength premium CHF chrome lined FN barrel. It's just a hair less accurate. Doing somewhere in the 3"-3.5" groups with M193 and around 2.5" or so with Hornady American Gunner 55gr. HP match.

Both well under $200.00, I believe that they do well in a lightweight general purpose rifle.

ARman

Take a look at Ballistic Advantage, their 16" .223 Wylde SPR Fluted Stainless Steel Mid-length barrel weighs in around 27oz. BA also offers a pencil barrel line around 22oz as well.

Another vote for the BCM ELW barrels

I have a Daniel Defense CHF lightweight barrel on one of my AR's and it's been great. I can't remember exactly how much it was but definitely under $300.

Can't go wrong with BCM ELW but to save a few bucks and get similar specs look at the Sionics LW barrel. It is pre dimpled for a set screw gas block and will have a properly sized gas port just like the BCM.

http://sionicsweaponsystems.com/store2015/25-16

I too would recommend DD's light weight, CL/CHF barrel.

Comparing the BCM and DD barrels on Brownells, the DD barrel is almost pound lighter.

Thank you for the recommendations, I've got homework to do!

I'd personally go with a Faxon Pencil Barrel. It's barely over 1 pound. Faxon makes fantastic barrels.

http://faxonfirearms.com/16-pe...mid-length-4150-qpq/

Just bought a BCM ELW and love it.

quote:

Originally posted by sigarmsVin:
Take a look at Ballistic Advantage, their 16" .223 Wylde SPR Fluted Stainless Steel Mid-length barrel weighs in around 27oz. BA also offers a pencil barrel line around 22oz as well.

I believe even BA's "non-pencil" barrels are lighter than average.

I wasn't going for light weight, per se, but, at a friend's recommendation I took a look at BA's Hanson barrels. Liked what I saw. Put this on: 14.5" 5.56 BA Hanson Midlength AR 15 Barrel w/ Lo Pro, Performance Series

They have the same barrel in 16"

This really isn't targeted at any individual comment in the above. But how does anyone "know" that these 'off brand' barrels are really any good. I have pretty good faith that a DD barrel is OK or a colt one or white oak one or an fn one because I know something about the mfg. But I often see others recommended that I have not a clue why? and often with glowing remarks that can't be from personal use since nobody goes through very many barrels. I checked the websites of a couple of the ones recommended above and there is nothing there in terms of being a quality barrel mfg.
Just asking.

DD if you want CHF.

BCM has a CHF line, and a non CHF line. I've used their Non-CHF line and it worked pretty well.

I've also built some rifles with Ballistic Advantage bbls (mainly for less-expensive alternatives and trying out the black-nitride finish).

I would rank DD at the top of that list, but their bbls can be a bit more expensive and harder to get at times.

quote:

Originally posted by myrottiety:
I'd personally go with a Faxon Pencil Barrel. It's barely over 1 pound. Faxon makes fantastic barrels.

http://faxonfirearms.com/16-pe...mid-length-4150-qpq/

Single data point but mine will do at least 2 MOA with wolf gold, though it will heat up quick. Have not tried better ammo yet, but I'm more than satisfied with 2 MOA with good bulk ammo from the skinny little thing.

My next lightweight AR is getting a Faxon Gunner barrel. The thing to consider with Faxon's barrels is that they're all stress relieved, which means far less POI shift when the barrel gets hot. I'm most happy with the BCM hammer forged barrel I've got currently, but Faxon Gunner is definitely what I'm getting next.

I've got a PSA chromelined pencil barrel, 1/7 twist on a carbine. Great setup.

Not very pricey, either.

Faxon is what is on my work rifle, moved the weight pack in the gun and makes it handle like the old M16A1 rifles.