Mounting a new AR Barrel with accuracy in mind...

[Darryl Licht]

OK, so thanks to Black Friday deals, I have secured a new 18" SS WOA barrel. This was the last piece of this puzzle needed. Final assembly of the rifle will start shortly after the barrel arrives! LOL!

I have AeroShell 33MS for the barrel nut and receiver threads. I have the peel washers for the compensator.

Now with accuracy/precision in mind; (this will be a yote gun serving dual purpose for a stab at long range competition) Should I or should I not consider using red Loctite to install the barrel extension into the receiver? Pros and cons?

Thanks for your input!

[croc4]

I would not use red loctite, I would think blue would be a better option.

croc4

[milotrain]

Blue if you really need it, but I've never had to "glue them on" torque is enough (20ftlbs). Don't worry too much about mounting.

[Germz]

most barrels require between 30 and 80 ftlbs of torque, however I've always just wrenched down on it "moderately hard", then line up with the closest gas tube slot.

don't forget that anti-seize compound!

[kcstott]

You want Anti seize not loctite.

Why in the hell do the accuracy nuts think loctite is that answer to everything??

The Marine and Navy armors go BY THE BOOK and their stuff shoots just fine at distance. no loctite needed

[DRM6000]

You looking to bed the barrel and receiver? Maybe truing the receiver face would be more beneficial?

[Twystd1]

You looking to bed the barrel and receiver? Maybe truing the receiver face would be more beneficial?

The OP is building an AR. Not a bolt gun.
No truing of receiver face or bedding needed.

The clues were the following.
WOA barrel and the words "barrel nut."

-T

[ar15barrels]

You want Anti seize not loctite.

You looking to bed the barrel and receiver?

The OP is building an AR. Not a bolt gun.
No truing of receiver face or bedding needed.

Antisieze on the threads.
Loctite sleeeve retaining compound in between the barrel extension and the receiver is a common way that service rifles are assembled.

I check receivers like this:


And then I correct them like this if needed:

[Darryl Licht]

Antisieze on the threads.
Loctite sleeeve retaining compound in between the barrel extension and the receiver is a common way that service rifles are assembled.

I check receivers like this:


And then I correct them like this if needed:

Randall what are your thoughts on using Loctite on the barrel extension to bed it? I totally know NOT to get any Loctite near the threads or barrel nut. I wish you were closer to me and I'd have you check the receiver for me...

[ar15barrels]

Randall what are your thoughts on using Loctite on the barrel extension to bed it? I totally know NOT to get any Loctite near the threads or barrel nut. I wish you were closer to me and I'd have you check the receiver for me...

If you are looking to do all the things you can to ensure best accuracy, bedding the barrel with loctite would be one of those things.
Even better would be to select through a batch of receivers to find one that's too tight for the barrel to simply slip into it.
That receiver can be heated up a couple hundred degrees and then the barrel slipped into place.
As it cools down, the receiver will shrink tight on the barrel extension.
No loctite is needed in that case.

[milotrain]

Randall,

What do you find as the top edge of accuracy for an AR? I've got a slip fit, not tight, barrel to action with no loctite and I have gotten what suggests to be 1/2moa out of that rifle. I just sort of assumed that I wouldn't get any more out of the platform?

[ar15barrels]

Randall,

What do you find as the top edge of accuracy for an AR? I've got a slip fit, not tight, barrel to action with no loctite and I have gotten what suggests to be 1/2moa out of that rifle. I just sort of assumed that I wouldn't get any more out of the platform?

I have built AR barrels that shot in the twos.

[milotrain]

So without giving away the farm what are the biggest increases in accuracy you see with the platform?

Assuming a floated barrel, and an excellent SS blank (kreiger, brux, Lilja, etc)

[ar15barrels]

So without giving away the farm what are the biggest increases in accuracy you see with the platform?

Assuming a floated barrel, and an excellent SS blank (kreiger, brux, Lilja, etc)

Treat it like a benchrest rifle in ALL respects.
The ones I did that shot in the twos were being shot by benchrest shooters, using all common benchrest techniques.
Tight-neck chamber, new cases neck turned and dedicated to that barrel etc...

[milotrain]

That makes sense. No progress without work.