Ballistic Advantage 20" Premium Series AR-10 Barrel - 6.5 Creedmoor

Published on July 4, 2018
Duration: 29:11

This video details the initial range testing and break-in procedure for a Ballistic Advantage 20" Premium Series AR-10 barrel chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. The instructor, with apparent experience in AR-10 builds and 6.5 Creedmoor, demonstrates loading various bullet types and powders, conducts accuracy testing with and without a suppressor, and discusses brass performance. The process includes a practical barrel break-in method of shooting and cleaning, emphasizing observation of function and accuracy.

Quick Summary

The Ballistic Advantage 20" Premium Series AR-10 barrel in 6.5 Creedmoor features a 1:8 twist rate and demonstrated excellent accuracy, achieving sub-MOA groups with a suppressor. Tested loads included 140gr Hornady Match, 143gr Hornady ELD-X, and 130gr Sierra Game King, with specific powder charges and velocities recorded.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the 6.5 Creedmoor AR-10 Build
  2. 00:11Recap of AR-10 Series and Components
  3. 00:24Ballistic Advantage 20" Premium Series Barrel Details
  4. 00:37Gas Block and Adjustable Gas System
  5. 00:47Video Objective: Break-in and Accuracy Testing
  6. 01:19AR-10 Bolt Carrier Group Options (Aero Precision vs. JP)
  7. 01:536.5 Creedmoor Brass Issues and High-Pressure Bolts
  8. 02:24Primary Bolt Choice: Aero Precision
  9. 02:46Comparing Headspace with Different Bolts
  10. 03:08Ammunition Components: Brass, Primers, Bullets
  11. 03:11Starline Small Primer Brass (9th Firing)
  12. 04:04Load 1: 140gr Hornady Match, IMR 4451
  13. 04:59Load 1: Hot Load Warning and Previous Testing
  14. 05:23Load 2: 143gr Hornady ELD-X, H4350
  15. 06:04Load 3: 130gr Sierra Game King, Reloder 17
  16. 06:08Load 3: Potential Feeding Issues with Flat-Nosed Bullet
  17. 09:11Overall Length Adjustment for Sierra Game King
  18. 09:52Range Setup and Initial Zeroing
  19. 10:24Gas Block Adjustment (Superlative Arms)
  20. 11:06First Shot and Scope Adjustment
  21. 11:28Headspace Measurement Check
  22. 12:03Swapping to JP Bolt for Headspace Comparison
  23. 13:03Barrel Cleaning Procedure
  24. 14:03Adjusting Gas Block for Cycling
  25. 15:09Suppressor and Chronograph Setup
  26. 15:26Shooting Suppressed Group (140gr Hornady Match)
  27. 16:32Group Results and Velocity Data (Suppressed)
  28. 16:59Target Camera Incident: Collision and Damage
  29. 17:38Explanation of Camera Incident (Bump Fire)
  30. 19:57Group Measurements: Suppressed vs. Unsuppressed
  31. 20:23Post-Cleaning Groups (140gr Match, 143gr ELD-X, 130gr Game King)
  32. 22:05Shooting Unsuppressed Groups (Late Daylight)
  33. 22:43Velocity Data for Other Loads
  34. 24:29Brass Inspection: Aero Precision vs. JP Bolt
  35. 25:31Brass Condition with Aero Precision Bolt
  36. 26:33Overall Brass Performance and Expectations
  37. 27:09Functionality with Sierra Game King Bullet
  38. 27:29Why 6.5 Creedmoor is So Successful
  39. 28:19Thanks to Ballistic Advantage and Viewers
  40. 28:47Conclusion and Next Steps

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key specifications of the Ballistic Advantage 20" Premium Series AR-10 barrel tested?

The Ballistic Advantage 20" Premium Series AR-10 barrel is chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and features a 1:8 twist rate. It has a .875" gas block journal and is designed for AR-10 platforms.

What ammunition loads were tested with the 6.5 Creedmoor AR-10 barrel?

Three main loads were tested: 140gr Hornady Match with IMR 4451, 143gr Hornady ELD-X with H4350, and 130gr Sierra Game King with Reloder 17. Specific charge weights and overall lengths were detailed.

How did the Ballistic Advantage barrel perform in terms of accuracy?

The barrel demonstrated excellent accuracy, achieving sub-MOA groups with a suppressor, including a 0.694-inch group with the 140gr Hornady Match load and a 0.679-inch group with the 143gr ELD-X. Accuracy was slightly reduced without the suppressor.

What is the recommended barrel break-in procedure for this AR-10 barrel?

The instructor follows a common break-in method: fire a few rounds, clean the barrel, fire more rounds, and clean again. This is repeated at intervals, with a final cleaning around 30-40 rounds, though the instructor notes they don't strictly adhere to manufacturer recommendations.

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