Heavy vs light weight barrels

[ulflyer]

Not well versed on AR-15's but just wondering why some parts or kits feature heavy barrels and light weight barrels. Other than a few oz's what diff does it make to a casual shooter? Must admit, in recently buying a Del-Ton kit the two diff ones were available. Without thinking about it I got the heavy barrel. But I don't know why!

 

[AR10ShooterinNC]

The heavy barrel controls the heat better with long strings of fire.

 

[Beef15]

Depending where the weight is it can make a big difference in balance/feel, barrels is one of those places. And of course the total of the parts.
I only have one heavy barrel left.

 

[Tim]

The heavy barrel controls the heat better with long strings of fire.

This.

Some will say a heavy barrel is more “accurate” without really understanding that heat control is the real benefit. A light weight barrel will deform more quickly (not permanently, just during the strong) to effect accuracy.

A heavy barrel also mitigates recoils helping the shooter stay on target more so than a light barrel. This is very handy for DMR, PRS and other competition shooting.

 

[ulflyer]

Thanks a lot folks. In putting the lower together I buffed the trigger parts with jewelers rouge and it came out slick as goose poop. Only fired 30 rounds for function and it performed perfectly. Had a Del=Ton several years ago and like that its all USA made.

 

[HawgBonz]

Other than a few oz's what diff does it make to a casual shooter?

FWIW I've noticed less POI shift between suppressed/unsuppressed with heavier barrels.

 

[rdinatal]

Other than a few oz's what diff does it make to a casual shooter?

I have one HBAR for High Power matches. All the rest are standard profiles.

The difference... The HBAR is balanced out of the box the best even before the added weight.
Other than that, for casual shooting, not much.

 

[NKD]

I have one heavier profile. Sits in safe.
I much prefer the lighter profiles for the type of shooting I do. Which is not sitting at a bench.

 

[ulflyer]

Does anyone know the weight difference between any two 16" barrels that are configured similarly? Maybe a 1/4 lb or less?

 

[1075tech]

Does anyone know the weight difference between any two 16" barrels that are configured similarly? Maybe a 1/4 lb or less?

A quick comparison of 16" barrels shows weights ranging from 1.2# for a lightweight pencil profile to 3.2# for a bull barrel

 

[NKD]

16" BA HBAR mid length= 35oz.

Faxon gunner 16" mid length= 22oz

 

[NKD]

A pound of extra weight on the nose of the gun sucks, frankly. Add in lights/lazers/anit-aircraft/etc. and it gets real front heavy.

 

[Chuckman]

For 90% of us mortals (recreational shooters, match shooters, going to classes), there is no functional difference, and in that case, always go lighter. For the 10% of people into legit long-range competition or using the AR platform for long-range hunting, there might be a difference.

 

[Frack N Cylons]

I’ve run very light rifles and kinda light rifles in 3 gun. I prefer the more mid weight barrel on my main rifle. The match I shoot most often does stretch out to 4 or 500 yards and it feels more stable to me.

If I were shooting 400yds and in, I think I’d want the rifle as light as possible.

If I were doing a gun run style event, I’d want the rifle as light as possible.

There is a spreadsheet around somewhere that documents barrel weight and other part weight very well. I’ve used it to get a good idea of how much a build will weigh before I’ve even started. I’ll see if I can find it for you.

 

[Frack N Cylons]

@ulflyer , I did want to say that I have an old Olympic carbine with a heavy barrel that I bought when I turned 18. It has always been a fine shooter. I used to mag dump Tula through that thing like it was its job and it never complained.