Lightweight .308 barrels

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Lightweight .308 barrels

Posted: 7/5/2014 9:30:24 AM EDT

Anybody make a 16-18 inch barrel that is under 2lbs?

Posted: 8/25/2014 5:39:33 AM EDT

[#1]

I have the same question.

My only thoughts are to call up Blackhole and see what they can do.

what other options are there other then having ADCO work on a barrel?

Posted: 8/25/2014 8:12:10 AM EDT

[#2]

This is Fulton Armorys 18" lightweight and it is 2.4lbs.

Doubt you'll get under 2lbs with a steel barrel. Maybe somebody makes a carbonfiber one?

Posted: 8/25/2014 9:08:52 AM EDT

[#3]

The DPMS AP4 barrel must be pretty light...not sure of an exact number.

Posted: 8/25/2014 9:18:30 AM EDT

[#4]

Brownells sells a 16" lightweight barrel with Mid-length gas. It's 2.4lbs according to their Q/A. It's nitride treated and 5R rifling.

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/barrel-parts/rifle-barrels/308ar-barrels-prod69784.aspx?avs|Make_3=AR%20xzzx308

Posted: 8/25/2014 9:37:08 AM EDT

[#5]

The barrel I got for my lightweight LR-308 build is the Rainier Arms select 16" barrel. 2lbs 5oz, 5R rifling, midlength gas, 1x11 twist, guaranteed sub-MOA, and they just had a sale where it was $220. Not sure if it is still going on.

Posted: 8/25/2014 10:36:22 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Anybody make a 16-18 inch barrel that is under 2lbs?

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Never heard of or seen one, even with fluting and such.

Honestly, I wouldn't want to shoot a sub 2lb barrel in a gun like that anyway. The impulse would be pretty kooky I would imagine....

Posted: 8/25/2014 10:53:02 AM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
The barrel I got for my lightweight LR-308 build is the Rainier Arms select 16" barrel. 2lbs 5oz, 5R rifling, midlength gas, 1x11 twist, guaranteed sub-MOA, and they just had a sale where it was $220. Not sure if it is still going on.

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That sounds pretty nice. The question would be how does it hold up to shooting XM80 in a carbine role, compared to using it in a precision role?

Posted: 8/25/2014 6:00:42 PM EDT

[#8]

I imagine the M&P 10 barrel is close, it's an 18" lightweight profile. Supposed to be very accurate too.

Posted: 8/25/2014 7:54:30 PM EDT

[#9]

don't know what the barrel weighs but my .308 with this 18" JP barrel came in at 8# 2oz less optics & bipod
(edit to add with an ACE Skeleton stock, not the Magpul shown below)
http://www.jprifles.com/buy.php?item=JPSM308-18L10

Posted: 8/25/2014 10:37:13 PM EDT

[#10]

Ah, I'm cheap. I picked up one of these when they had a sale for 170$

http://www.jsesurplus.com/cmmg18308sslwstrippedbarrel.aspx

My build came in at 7.3 pounds with a lightweight DPMS upper, and minimalist stock. You could go down further with a lightweight bold carrier. Loaded with a scope ready to hunt it weighs 8.5 pounds empty which is less than my Winchester bolt rifle with a smaller scope.

This 16" comes in at 34 ounces.

http://aeroprecisionusa.com/barrels/308-ss-16-midlength-gas-1-10-twist.html

Posted: 8/26/2014 4:58:38 AM EDT

[#11]

This is 7.2 pounds without optic, 8.6 pounds with optic and sling, no magazine. The Weaver 1-5 is 14 oz. and the AD Recon is about 8 oz...you could do that part lighter probably if you were less concerned about it being robust and removable. DPMS G2 AP4.

Posted: 8/26/2014 5:16:06 AM EDT

[#12]

Proof Research which bought out ABS makes a nice carbon fiber wrapped barrel that's probably as light as possible. I shot an LR308 years ago with an ABS CF barrel and it was very light, and very accurate. The recoil was also quit mild with the muzzle brake. Be warned they aren't cheap though.

Posted: 8/26/2014 5:19:10 AM EDT

[#13]

The Fulton 18" is a very good value. You could also go with a pinned 14.5 if you really wanted light...

Posted: 8/26/2014 6:09:01 AM EDT

[#14]

I snagged one of these this weekend when they were nearly $100 off ($239 vs $315). Should be arriving this week.

Posted: 8/26/2014 12:55:11 PM EDT

[#15]

Armalite 16" LW Chrome lined is 2lbs 2oz.

Posted: 8/27/2014 10:00:02 AM EDT

[#16]

I have the 18", and the blast is still intense. I would not want anything shorter. With a hot loaded 125 grain load the fireball is 2'x3', and points out another foot or so. I took video because all I could see out of the scope with each shot was white. It revealed the size of the fireball. Put a comp on it, and you can feel it in your sinus. 16" would be intense to say the least. Not something I would want to hunt with where quick followup shots are required.

Posted: 8/27/2014 10:10:33 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have the 18", and the blast is still intense. I would not want anything shorter. With a hot loaded 125 grain load the fireball is 2'x3', and points out another foot or so. I took video because all I could see out of the scope with each shot was white. It revealed the size of the fireball. Put a comp on it, and you can feel it in your sinus. 16" would be intense to say the least. Not something I would want to hunt with where quick followup shots are required.

View Quote

The overwhelming majority of shooting with mine will be suppressed. I'm not too concerned about concussion.

Posted: 8/29/2014 9:21:01 AM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:

The overwhelming majority of shooting with mine will be suppressed. I'm not too concerned about concussion.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I have the 18", and the blast is still intense. I would not want anything shorter. With a hot loaded 125 grain load the fireball is 2'x3', and points out another foot or so. I took video because all I could see out of the scope with each shot was white. It revealed the size of the fireball. Put a comp on it, and you can feel it in your sinus. 16" would be intense to say the least. Not something I would want to hunt with where quick followup shots are required.

The overwhelming majority of shooting with mine will be suppressed. I'm not too concerned about concussion.

I am filling out the Eform. If nothing else I will just make a freeze-plug silencer that was posted in a thread on silencertalk. If I could find some stainless freeze plugs in the right size I would be happy.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Lightweight .308 barrels

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