First 300 Whisper Question

[Holyfield]

Well I have my lower ready to go now and I would like some advice of 300 Whisper Ar-15 barrels. I am looking for a 16" barrel that I plan to shoot sub sonics through mainly 180gr to 220gr. If anybody could point me to a barrel maker that specializes in these types of barrels I would appreciate it. I mainly want a barrel that functions correctly with sub sonics and is at least a 1 moa capable barrel. I am thinking I need a 1 in 8 twist barrel with the gas port in the pistol position but if I am wrong please let me hear your opinons and experiences. Any information would be appreciated

[nwcid]

I just bought a Lilja, http://www.riflebarrels.com/ which is very nice but not cheep. It is a 16" 1:8 twist. With all the work done including fluting, threading and PRI gas block installed it was about $700.

I just got it so other then it looking good I have nothing to report yet. I have it set up and ready to go. I put 9 round though it to start breaking it in. I have my first 5 handloads ready to go once the temp gets above freezing.

[Spook]

If 220 gr is the heaviest you'll shoot its likely you can get by with a 10 twist. Will you be shooting with a suppressor?

[Holyfield]

I plan on using a suppressor in the future but at the moment I am in college moving around quite a bit so it will probably be a year before I pick one up. I had looked into one of the Noveske barrels but I have heard they are hard to find and I would consider a custom barrel maker now. I plan on shooting mainly 220gr but would shoot heavier around 240gr if I could find them. My main focus with this build is accuracy. I want a rifle that is a consistent MOA shooter or less if possible. I might be unreasonable in this requirement as I have no real experience with this cartridge. Keep me posted on the Lija barrel if you don't mind. Thanks for all the information

[Fastshooter03]

Just make friends with a GOOD machinist:grin:
He'll make you whatever you want--legally of course.
Not sure of availability of the cheaper "kit house" barrels or how they shoot but if you want the best "possible" accuracy your barrel should start out as a match grade blank. My 2 current barrels are from Lilja blanks but my next ones will be 5C's from broughten. I do my own work making the barrels and gas blocks.
I'm sure somebody here knows smiths currently offering 300W AR barrels as an option.
Are you going to use a gas system or hand cycle since you say accuracy is the focus?
As for accuracy my first Lilja barreled upper 16"1x8 twist once put 5 rds into a big hole at 100yds with sub 220s and N110. That upper had a carbine length gas system that I never found the best powder to get it to cycle before I sold it to a buddy. My testing is very limited though. Past 100 I haven't done much at all. The week before thanksgiving my 11"(remainder of barrel from 16" build) with 5.1" welded-on upper I took deer hunting put 3 rds into 3" @200yds with 2(lower hits) out of the 3 showing slight tumbling. 5x scope. I thought it was pretty good for a slapped together for the heck of it barrel.
I've never shot past 200yds with subsonics.