I don't hunt so I don't have any need for the lightweight high velocity screamers, not to mention any hunting ammo is too expensive to plink with and not as accurate as match ammo for serious target shooting so I have always completely ignored hunting specific ammunition, to me it doesn't exist, it simply doesn't factor into my firearms decision making. What I need is a barrel that can safely shoot vast quantities of cheap, high pressure surplus ammunition and a bore that can withstand smoking hot temps without incurring excess wear. I wouldn't personally spec a Gov't profile barrel (which is a misleading nomenclature btw, it doesn't actually have the various cuts for the M203 grenade launche, that is specifically the provenance of the M4 or SOCOM profiles which are distinct) it's what came with the DD and it still come in at a light 6.2lbs and it does have less thermal shift than my lighter profiles gun. The DD has to get literally smoking hot as in smoke actually coming off the barrel, for the groups to open significantly, that's about 60 rounds of uninterrupted rapid fire, not mag dumping mind you but cadenced, aimed rapid fire. I like fighting guns as opposed to hunting or target guns.Pod,
I mean the M4 style "service" barrel as a whole is not the smartest choice.
I agree a AR is intended as a "duty" carbine and such a weapon is optimized for reliability, ruggedness and let me explain why the M4
is not the best choice for that type of platform and, IMHO, it should have never existed in the first place.
This is why...
- The AR was designed originally as a 20" carbine and with the M16A2 modifications it came too short to be the most efficient.
- They also created a slant cut on the barrel that leaves the minor diameter of the barrel too thin and forces the barrel to be that
way. The ONLY reason you have these weird cuts and position, it is because they needed the space to accommodate the M203
grenade launcher so they made that stupid decision instead of redesigning the entire launcher and or bracket that would benefit
the actual carbine. Civilians do not need this BS.
- Something also inherited from the original AR is the 1/2" threads that leaved a compromised minor diameter and prone to
premature crown swelling and therefore premature loss in accuracy.
- The twist rate of 7 will work but it is already too much and one could even argue if an 8 twist might be used by most shooters for
the ammunition people more likely shoot. The additional twist only compounds to the list of things that are hardly the wisest
choice. The only reason for a civilian AR15 shooter to have a 1:7 is if they intend to shoot tracer ammo or certain 90gr bullets
or solids that are too long for the 5.56 chamber, AR magazine and will need single feed in the first place anyway.
The typical sierra 75,77 and 80gr SMK, TMK, hornday, speer, etc ... work fine with 8 twist and are popular choices for national match
competitions. you mentioned some might not stabilize so please let us know what those are precisely because they are not the
popular bullet choices and people reading might get the wrong impression that they need a faster twist.
The discussion about length, construction, speed and terminal effect is very relevant as for example, up to 75gr many bullets will
stabilize great with a 9 twist but for example a 75gr VLD will not and a 70gr TTSX from barnes will also have problems.
Also bulk light varmint bullets at 7 twist sometimes come apart due tot he torque forces produced by the massive speeds
and excessive twist so jacket separation is a concern. It has happened to me. So lower the charge and you might be fine
but then, defeats the purpose of the original hypervelocity varmint round and the 223 is not too far behind the 22-250
for similar purposes.
So there is no one single good reason to choose "M4 style" barrels for AR15 civilian use. Aside of the 7 twist discussion there
are 16 and 18" barrels that are cut with mid weight "scout" profiles that address all those shortcomings of the M4 style barrels
and that are available at comparable cost or for a bit more but also come nitrocarburized that has proven to be a superior
standard vs. chrome in terms of durability and accuracy.
Again, I am not saying that a M4 tacticool style barrel would not work but what I am saying is that civicilian shooters are
blessed with superior options to the military "mil-spec" standard and not just for barrels but bolts, triggers and other equipment.
For example ARP has been making the 16, 18 and 20 barrels and also bolts with the heavy duty philosophy in mind but better
than the service ones.
5.56/223 Wylde barrels
5.56 and 223 Wylde barrels and high performance parts.www.ar15performance.com
There are a few other good makers and then a lot el cheapo build kits junk too.
These features, accuracy and durability has been tested here and in previous NY and other forums through the years and there is
extensive info and feedback the problem is that the forum's search feaure is not that great at finding things.