I just purchased this exact same barrel along with a BA nickel-boron BGC. The M4 feed ramps are nickel-boron coated as well, courtesy of FailZero. The weapon is in my armorer's hands right now swapping out the heavier carbine barrel which was giving me feeding and extraction issues. He has not test fired it but I handled it tonight and my first impression is that the front end probably weighs a third less. We mounted a SS JP comp which compliments the beaded SS barrel beautifully. Everything is shrouded with a 15" Samson Evolution free float tube. I had a black JP comp on the older barrel and muzzle rise was greatly reduced over the stock A2 birdcage. I can't wait to try it out on the range Thursday night and see how the mid-length gas system works with the JP comp. Total cost for the parts from BA (barrel, BCG and gas tube) was $400. I already owned the lo-pro gas block.
No problem. Here is a quote from their "About" page: Ballistic Advantage Partners with Aero Precision As of December 2014, Ballistic Advantage is operating as a majority owned subsidiary of Aero Precision. Adam Wainio will remain as minority, operating owner and we will continue to operate from our facilities and maintain our brand while expanding alongside our new partner, Aero Precision. This partnership is a key component to our future success and will allow us to continue offering premium products at competitive pricing. Stay tuned - we have big plans for the future!
That’s a hard question to answer. I’ve owned both brands, but different barrel profiles. My White Oak was an 18” SPR profile, the BA was a 16” Hanson profile. Between those two, the WOA probably shot tighter groups, but that’s not a apples to apples comparison. Both are great companies that produce good barrels.
I would like you to say what kind of MOA will be needed to be a hunting rifle for you. I've read and watched some of your coyote hunts. Seen some ground hog hunts that was well over 200 yards. What is your max distance that you can hunt with an AR-15?
James Schisler The "MOA" needed depends greatly on the type of game animal you are planning to take. Larger animals have a larger "kill box" or kill zone, so you can get by with a less accurate rifle or barrel. I personally like to have match accurate rifles no matter what I'm hunting. 2 MOA or better is a good standard to live by, for a hunting AR. With today's barrels and ammunition, it's easy to get well below that standard. If you watch our Australian Outback Ammo video (ua-cam.com/video/q46pSd8TYIg/v-deo.html), you'll see me taking small prairie dogs at 250 - 350+ yards. The max distance I can hunt again depends on the game animal I'm hunting. With larger game (hog, deer, etc.), I personally don't plan on taking too many shots beyond 200-250 yards, because of the limitations of the .223/5.56mm projectiles. Longer shots can be made, so I'm not saying it can't be used further, that's just not what I personally plan to do on those game animals. However, when hunting varmints, I feel .223/5.56mm is quite sufficient for shots beyond 400 yards. My furthest hit in Arizona on a prairie dog was 372 yards using a 55gr BlitzKing load, and the dog was still dead right there. There was still plenty of energy to take the animal humanely (minimal suffering of the animal). I took shots beyond 400 yards, however the wind was a big factor and I missed those. I hope this helps answer your questions. I'm hoping the Ballistic Advantage barrel performs below that 2 MOA threshold I mentioned above. We shall see, as I'm hitting the range today for some testing.
Yes. The barrel nut will not fit over the gas block. So, you simply have to remove the gas block, slide the barrel nut on, then reinstall the gas block.
yes, but the thing is, it's only on by two allen key screws. it is drilled through the barrel and gas block for the pin, but when it comes the pin is in the packaging with it, it's not installed so when it comes you just loosen the allen keys slide the gas block off install your barrel nut and gas system, put the block back in place, THEN you hammer in the pin and torque down the allen keys and stick on your hand guard and you're ready to rock.. so it's easy install, you don't have to pound the pins out just to install the barrel nut.
Mine was pinned from BA. I had to remove the spring pin in in order to install the barrel. From what you're saying, it sounds like they are now including the pin loose with the barrel, to be inserted after install. Good deal. While removing the pin only took seconds, as I have the proper tools, that's one less step you have to worry about during install. Thanks for the added information!
AR15 Hunter yea they may have changed it up, i've had my eye on a 16" hanson middy from ba for about 3 months at least, found them on sale at granite ridge $170 shipped! couldn't pass that up, regular like 230$ i got a good deal on it.
Cant wait to get my barrel!
I just purchased this exact same barrel along with a BA nickel-boron BGC. The M4 feed ramps are nickel-boron coated as well, courtesy of FailZero. The weapon is in my armorer's hands right now swapping out the heavier carbine barrel which was giving me feeding and extraction issues. He has not test fired it but I handled it tonight and my first impression is that the front end probably weighs a third less. We mounted a SS JP comp which compliments the beaded SS barrel beautifully. Everything is shrouded with a 15" Samson Evolution free float tube. I had a black JP comp on the older barrel and muzzle rise was greatly reduced over the stock A2 birdcage. I can't wait to try it out on the range Thursday night and see how the mid-length gas system works with the JP comp. Total cost for the parts from BA (barrel, BCG and gas tube) was $400. I already owned the lo-pro gas block.
i had no idea that ballistic advantage had been bought. thanks for the info
No problem. Here is a quote from their "About" page:
Ballistic Advantage Partners with Aero Precision
As of December 2014, Ballistic Advantage is operating as a majority owned subsidiary of Aero Precision. Adam Wainio will remain as minority, operating owner and we will continue to operate from our facilities and maintain our brand while expanding alongside our new partner, Aero Precision. This partnership is a key component to our future success and will allow us to continue offering premium products at competitive pricing. Stay tuned - we have big plans for the future!
What barrel shoots better groups White Oak or BA Hanson
That’s a hard question to answer. I’ve owned both brands, but different barrel profiles. My White Oak was an 18” SPR profile, the BA was a 16” Hanson profile. Between those two, the WOA probably shot tighter groups, but that’s not a apples to apples comparison. Both are great companies that produce good barrels.
I would like you to say what kind of MOA will be needed to be a hunting rifle for you. I've read and watched some of your coyote hunts. Seen some ground hog hunts that was well over 200 yards. What is your max distance that you can hunt with an AR-15?
James Schisler The "MOA" needed depends greatly on the type of game animal you are planning to take. Larger animals have a larger "kill box" or kill zone, so you can get by with a less accurate rifle or barrel. I personally like to have match accurate rifles no matter what I'm hunting. 2 MOA or better is a good standard to live by, for a hunting AR. With today's barrels and ammunition, it's easy to get well below that standard.
If you watch our Australian Outback Ammo video (ua-cam.com/video/q46pSd8TYIg/v-deo.html), you'll see me taking small prairie dogs at 250 - 350+ yards. The max distance I can hunt again depends on the game animal I'm hunting. With larger game (hog, deer, etc.), I personally don't plan on taking too many shots beyond 200-250 yards, because of the limitations of the .223/5.56mm projectiles. Longer shots can be made, so I'm not saying it can't be used further, that's just not what I personally plan to do on those game animals.
However, when hunting varmints, I feel .223/5.56mm is quite sufficient for shots beyond 400 yards. My furthest hit in Arizona on a prairie dog was 372 yards using a 55gr BlitzKing load, and the dog was still dead right there. There was still plenty of energy to take the animal humanely (minimal suffering of the animal). I took shots beyond 400 yards, however the wind was a big factor and I missed those.
I hope this helps answer your questions. I'm hoping the Ballistic Advantage barrel performs below that 2 MOA threshold I mentioned above. We shall see, as I'm hitting the range today for some testing.
You had to remove the gas block to install the barrel?
Yes. The barrel nut will not fit over the gas block. So, you simply have to remove the gas block, slide the barrel nut on, then reinstall the gas block.
yes, but the thing is, it's only on by two allen key screws. it is drilled through the barrel and gas block for the pin, but when it comes the pin is in the packaging with it, it's not installed so when it comes you just loosen the allen keys slide the gas block off install your barrel nut and gas system, put the block back in place, THEN you hammer in the pin and torque down the allen keys and stick on your hand guard and you're ready to rock.. so it's easy install, you don't have to pound the pins out just to install the barrel nut.
Mine was pinned from BA. I had to remove the spring pin in in order to install the barrel. From what you're saying, it sounds like they are now including the pin loose with the barrel, to be inserted after install. Good deal. While removing the pin only took seconds, as I have the proper tools, that's one less step you have to worry about during install. Thanks for the added information!
AR15 Hunter yea they may have changed it up, i've had my eye on a 16" hanson middy from ba for about 3 months at least, found them on sale at granite ridge $170 shipped! couldn't pass that up, regular like 230$ i got a good deal on it.
That's awesome! Yeah, I'd say you got a deal there. Heck, even at $230 these barrels are a good deal.
Just ordered mine on sale for 160!!
Score!
Yeah! It was the 223 Wylde version too.