I have recently acquired this Aero M5 receiver set and rail with the intention of building a DMR / Precision Rifle, chambered in .308.



My goal for this build is to assemble something "highly accurate" (that's of course a relative term) in a reasonably lightweight and hopefully not enormous package. I already load a number of rifle cartridges and the intent is to develop a match-bullet type load that shoots well in the rifle.

In my past, the only "precision rifle" I've owned was a Savage model 10 with a 26" bull barrel in a Bell and Carlson Medalist stock - it was large, heavy pig of a rifle - trying to avoid that for sure.


First, I need to decide on a barrel length. I can shoot out to about 500 yards at my current range, but it would be nice if the rifle was suited for longer shots than that. I am really leaning towards and 18" to 22" barrel based on articles like this one. I know that 18", 20", and 22" will be fine at 500, how much further can I go with a barrel in that length range before I start hitting transonic velocities? Any input on these barrel lengths?

Second, I need to decide on a barrel profile. My gut says to go with something fat and fluted, but I'm open to advice on that for sure.

Third, and this is the big one, manufacturer. You can get a .308 AR-pattern barrel for $300 off-the-shelf or you can spend $900 for one and wait 8 months for it. As someone with little-to-no experience in the world of precision rifles, It's really hard for me to place these various barrel product lines on the "value to performance" curve.

Craddock has 18" and 22" barrels in their "Ready to Rock" product line for about $400 (more if I go fluted)

Wilson Combat makes fluted "super sniper" barrels in 18" and 20" that look nice for about $350.

Ballistic Advantage has heavy fluted 18" and 20" barrels for about $350.

Criterion has "hybrid profile" (not sure what that means) for about $350.

Then of course there's "top level" barrels like Krieger but it looks like they're not even taking orders and those are pushing $900 but I don't know how much better they really are - is only a skilled benchrest shooter going to make use of the accuracy that added cost buys?

I want to clarify that I don't expect to approach "light" from an AR15 standpoint.

I have a FAL, M1s, Hakim, etc...I'd hope I could keep this rifle similar in weight to these, I guess more with an optic.

You might keep an eye on this thread , over here...
https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/craddock-rtr.7213289/

And FWIW... I am VERY happy with my 18" Criterion Hybrid Mid-Length gas. I would consider the RLGS version as well, since I put a Adj. GB on mine.
Disclaimer... I did True and Glue the upper, and I prefer a snugg upper to lower fit. So YMMV

It loves the 155gr Horn AG ( 10rds ) and FGMM 168gr