For those who want a truly great 223 barrel, Brownells has a sale on Krieger DCM HBAR barrels. The threaded muzzle version costs $370. My best competition AR has this barrel. I bought it from Fulton Armory a few years ago when the price was $400-ish -- the barrel now goes for $510. It's my understanding the barrels are chambered by Krieger.

I bought a 20" Krieger from Brownells last week, when they had a sale for 10% off and free shipping. Thus, a chambered Krieger delivered for $333. Woo-hoo. Brownells seems to offer another sale special every few days.

Note this is a heavy-profile SS barrel, chambered in 223. Just about the opposite of a pencil-profile chrome-lined 556 barrel. With factory ammo my Krieger shoots every type of quality ammo I've stocked at under 1 MOA. Most 5-round groups at 100 yards have been in the 1/2" to 3/4" range, with a few in the .3" to .4" range.

I won't need to replace my current Krieger 20" for another couple of years, but I couldn't pass up such a deal.