Barrel Question

[bowzette]

I have a S&W M&P Sport. Will a aftermarket $200 range barrel perform significantly better at 100-200 yards if shooting bulk 5.56 or .223? Or if shooting bulk ammo the factory barrel should group about as well as a moderate priced aftermarket? I assume most or many of us are shooting the $.30 ammo in bulk when on sale.

[vonn]

Higher quality ammunition performs much better in my AR’s than bulk m193 in chrome lined and unlined barrels. I try as many types of ammunition as I can and usually find one that has markedly better performance than the others. Even a high dollar barrel will have a load it prefers over others in my experience.

[bowzette]

I purchase ammo like the American Eagle 5.56 or the Federal Black Label .223 in the link you sent. That's what I mean by "bulk". Not steel Wolf, etc.

[shep854]

With bulk ammo, doubtful. It would take extensive shooting with premium ammo to tell a difference between barrels. Not to disparage your skill, but are you sure you're currently pushing the present setup to its limits?

[AManWearingAHat]

Who made the barrel? How good of a shot are you? If you're a once in a while kind of rifle shooter, I doubt you would see much of a difference.

It took me years of precision small bore rifle and airgun and then several consecutive weekends with my match AR, using handloads, prone in a shooting coat to finally be able to shoot to the rifle's capability.

[Maddmax]

Originally Posted by bowzette

I have a S&W M&P Sport. Will a aftermarket $200 range barrel perform significantly better at 100-200 yards if shooting bulk 5.56 or .223? Or if shooting bulk ammo the factory barrel should group about as well as a moderate priced aftermarket? I assume most or many of us are shooting the $.30 ammo in bulk when on sale.

Another problem with bulk ammo is it can very greatly between different lots. Even in the same lot.

I'd suggest going to reloading if you want to really know.