Profile and Fluting Differences?

[hatenchaos]

Working on a new 18" upper for my 3gun rifle. I've settled on the 18" barrel, 1 in8, with .223 Wylde chamber, mid length gas system and 1/2x28 threading. However, I am torn between the standard profile and the NM profile; for 3gun shooting, is there any advantage to the NM barrel profile?

Also, I want to get the barrel fluted, but for the life of me I see any difference between the Black Hole Fluting (which is a "Standard Fluting" option) versus the Honeycomb Fluting (which is a "Premium FLuting" option) except the price. Does anybody know what the difference is?

Does anybody have any thoughts or information on either or both of these questions? Thanks so much!

[GLSHOOTER]

Aug 5, 2016 13:19:21 GMT -8 hatenchaos said:

Working on a new 18" upper for my 3gun rifle. I've settled on the 18" barrel, 1 in8, with .223 Wylde chamber, mid length gas system and 1/2x28 threading. However, I am torn between the standard profile and the NM profile; for 3gun shooting, is there any advantage to the NM barrel profile?

Also, I want to get the barrel fluted, but for the life of me I see any difference between the Black Hole Fluting (which is a "Standard Fluting" option) versus the Honeycomb Fluting (which is a "Premium FLuting" option) except the price. Does anybody know what the difference is?

Does anybody have any thoughts or information on either or both of these questions? Thanks so much!

You don't want the NM. It is a bull under the guards with a 750 front. Too heavy. I find the Standard just right.

The honeycomb takes off far more weight than the standard fluting.

Greg

Oh and for bona-fides I started shooting 3Gun in the 80'd and was the shaker and mover in Oklahoma to get it going there as the state USPSA Section Coordinator. I have competed all over the US and regularly take home a bit of Gold..lol

[tonythetiger]

Greg's correct, the NM profile is way overkill for 3 gun. Actually the current trend is super light builds, the popularity of 3GN bay style matches seems to be driving the interest in sub 6lb rifles and SBR's. I tried the ultra light stuff, it's not for me (I like a .750 profile for the entire barrel) but each to his own. I will also add that the only people I've seen show up with 18" mid gas barrels are the people who come next season with 18" rifle gas barrels and last year's barrel on the classifieds. If you get serious about 3 gun you'll probably get caught up trying to eliminate recoil and rifle gas on 18" barrels or intermediate gas length 16" barrels is part of the special hot sauce. I've heard of people on the internet disliking rifle gas 18" barrels but none of the hundreds of people I see running them have issues.

[GLSHOOTER]

I never have liked the uber-light guns. I want some meat in my hands for shot to shot target work. The short range stuff lends itself to light somewhat but I much prefer the stretch it out a couple hundred yards matches and the extra weight doesn't hurt there. I have a bit of everything available and I did build an 18" gun up but it is standard weight I shot a 20: in 6X45 for the last few decades so a change might be fun. I also have a KTB 223 setting here that I will probably use also just for fun this winter. I wish /Grendel brass were cheaper as I would like to shot MAJOR in one of these AR's. Maybe if I score more FC dirt cheap I will consider it. The A-30 would do it easily and I have another one in the wings that will hammer the major floor easily.

Greg

[tonythetiger]

I've tried to talk a couple buddies into trying the Grendel in 3 gun, but there's no USPSA Multigun around here, it's all 3GN or Outlaw. So there's no Minor/Major power floor, just Heavy (308, 30-06), and everything else. Couple that with the 40+ round stages and the unlikely chance you'll find much of your brass and it's pretty obvious why I can't convince them.

[GLSHOOTER]

Aug 6, 2016 7:43:08 GMT -8 tonythetiger said:

I've tried to talk a couple buddies into trying the Grendel in 3 gun, but there's no USPSA Multigun around here, it's all 3GN or Outlaw. So there's no Minor/Major power floor, just Heavy (308, 30-06), and everything else. Couple that with the 40+ round stages and the unlikely chance you'll find much of your brass and it's pretty obvious why I can't convince them.

With no power factor involved it takes the need away but I still have a few that like to score Major/Minor. I would not even run a match, I have done a few LOL, that did not give the option. Since Heavy Metal is only a 30 caliber requirement the A-30 or the 30 LBC can easily make that. I'll have to set up an iron sighted one and go give em a whirl with it. I shoot an M1A when I play that game with the hammer guns.

Greg

[hatenchaos]

Thanks to GLSHOOTER and tonythetiger for the tips - looks like standard profile and honeycomb is the ticket! Appreciate the input!