Testing: Inexpensive Lightweight Barrel and it's ammo preference

[FRSTEVE]

Hi Folks,

I thought I would peel out my investigation of inexpensive (not necessarily cheap/bad_quality) lightweight barrel and what does it like to shoot.

(Del-Ton) DTI 16" Lightweight, .750 Mid-length Gas, 1:9 Twist, Chrome Lined Barrel ... can be bought for $135.

It weighs ... 26.35 ounces, which only 0.95 ounces heavier than one of the lightest 14.5" Pencil Barrels + Extended A2 flash hider ($135 vs. $310).




I was curious to know what "inexpensive" ammo would shoot best out of it.

Here's the build info for the test rifle (I think the only thing that really matters is that its using a PSA $90 BCG), but in case you care:
Aero Precision Upper Receiver
Del-Ton 16" 1-9 Melonite, Midlength Lightweight Barrel
SLR Rifleworks Sentry-7 Adjustable Gas Block
PWS FSC556 Comp
Generic Midlength Gas Tube
Midwest Industries SS Gen2 12" Handguard
PSA $90 BCG Special
Bravo Company MOD4 Medium Charging Handle
Aero Precision Lower Receiver
Magpul MOE+ Grip
Mil-Spec Buffer Tube
Magpul MOE Stock
Taccom3G ULW Buffer
Damage Industries Buffer Spring
ALG Defense ACT Fire Control System
JoeBobOutfitters Grip Screw Trigger Adjuster
PSA Lower Parts Kits
Magpul BAD Lever
Magpul MBUS Front Sight (removed for testing)
Magpul MBUS Rear Sight (removed for testing)




(For Testing)
UTG Medium Height Rings
Bushnell Banner 4-16x 40mm Scope

Process I'm going to try and follow:

1. - Zero in scope using TULA (i have a lot of it)
2. - Bore Snake Barrel
3. - Let Barrel "cool down"
4. - 5 shot 50 yard with test ammo
5. - Repeat steps 2-4 for each test ammo brand at 50 yards
6. - Redo 5 shot group at 100 yards for each test ammo ... clean, cool down, shoot process

I'm going to do all testing in one day ... I will bring my Infrared Temp Gauge and try to make sure the barrel temps are consistent for each test round.


Ammo to be Tested:
- Hornady 223 55gr FMJ
- CBC 5.56x45 55gr FMJ
- PMC X-TAC 5.56 62gr LAP
- Winchester 223 55gr FMJ
- American Eagle 223 55gr FMJ
- Armscor 223 55gr FMJ
- WPA Military Classic 223 55gr HP Steel Cased BiMetal
- Independence 5.56 55gr FJM
- TulAmmo 55gr FMJ Steel Cased BiMetal
- Wolf Gold 223 55gr FMJ (Brass)

(kinda expensive) - Black Hills 223 77gr Sierra Match King Bullets Remanufactured





Let me know if I should pick up any other types of ammo and I'll try and get it before I go out there.

[FRSTEVE]

saved for results

[FRSTEVE]

trying to find and test the following:
- PMC Bronze
- Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics
- Prvi Partisan
- Brown Bear
- Freedom Munitions (remanufactured)
- Remmington

[FRSTEVE]

one more spot reserved ... just in case i need it

[el tardo]

the only thing i would want different is if you used a better twist rate like 1/7.

[AreWeFree]

So glad to see a 1-9 twist barrel in your test. Mine has been very good to me so far but I've never had an ammo selection like yours!

Eagerly awaiting results

[FRSTEVE]

the only thing i would want different is if you used a better twist rate like 1/7.

Hi el tardo - I'm going to repeat this test with my ultralight build ... its running a 1:7 twist on a 16.5" barrel using a JP LMOS BCG (checkout my lightweight thread for the details). I'll make a separate post for it, so it'll be easier to find in the future. Thx for the suggestion.

1:9 is probably the "better" twist rate for the 55grains i'm testing.

the 77gr SMKs are built for the 1:7s

[AreWeFree]

the only thing i would want different is if you used a better twist rate like 1/7.

lol we both zero'd on his twist rate at the same time


FRSTEVE
Question: Are you going to build up copper fouling before running accuracy tests? How many rounds before you start recording data?

[FRSTEVE]

...
Question: Are you going to build up copper fouling before running accuracy tests? How many rounds before you start recording data?

Good question ... I'm not sure how many rounds it will take to get to copper equilibrium. Got any suggestions?

I'll probably use TulAmmo to get there ... will 50-100 rounds get me there?

This is also a brand spanking new barrel ... I'm going to break it in the way I normally do things ... shooting a bunch of rounds out of it.

[AreWeFree]

If I'm wrong I hope someone will correct me, but I believe somewhere in 40-60 rounds is when you hit equilibrium.

Edit: Oh I remember reading your other review threads, they are very well done.

[IPSICK]

Are you testing it with the scope mounted like this? This could cause POI shifts and skew your results.

[FRSTEVE]

@ipsick - I was planning to, thinking that it would keep my upper locked in with the handguard. Should I just mount it to the upper only?

If so, now I know why those aero precision extended mounts exist.

[FMJBT]

Bridging the upper and forend can play havoc with consistency, and potentially damage the scope as well. For a low cost option for a one piece mount, the UTG offset QD mount is actually pretty decent, and typically comes in under $50.00:

http://www.leapers.com/prod_detail.php?mitem=mount&level1=Scope_Ring&level2=30mm_Ring&itemno=M3S40070R4&status=

Looking forward to seeing the results from your test, especially how well the 77's will shoot out of that barrel.

[Bullitt01]

Thanks, this sounds like it will be a well rounded report. Looking forward to it.

[FRSTEVE]

@fmjbt - thanks for the suggestion. Got an extended, qd scope mount on order.

Thinking about picking up a tripod and a chronograph to collect and compare muzzle velocity vs ammo stated velocity (though I'm sure they tested with a 20" barrel).