Looking to build a hard-hitting, straight-wall cartridge AR-15? The 350 Legend might be your answer, but it all starts with the right barrel. This cartridge, designed for enhanced performance in hunting and other shooting applications, has quickly gained popularity. Its unique characteristics make it a compelling choice for various shooters. This guide will explore the key considerations when selecting a 350 Legend AR15 Barrel, including barrel length, twist rate, materials, and features, to help you make an informed decision and achieve your perfect build.
Understanding the Legend: The 350 Legend Cartridge
The 350 Legend is a relative newcomer to the world of firearms, but it’s made a significant impact. This cartridge was developed with a specific set of goals in mind: offering high performance in a straight-wall cartridge, designed for hunting in areas with specific cartridge regulations. It successfully addressed the need for a cartridge that could deliver good accuracy and stopping power at reasonable ranges, making it a popular choice for hunters in states with regulations that limit the use of bottlenecked cartridges.
The cartridge itself is built on a parent case designed for the 223 Remington, but vastly expanded. This design allows it to feed reliably in AR-15 platforms while delivering impressive ballistic performance. With proper loads, the 350 Legend can offer flatter trajectories and excellent energy retention at longer ranges, making it more versatile than other straight-wall cartridges.
The 350 Legend’s performance characteristics make it an attractive choice. Its relatively low recoil allows for faster follow-up shots, and its accuracy potential is remarkable. The effective range will vary based on barrel length and ammunition, but it is generally well-suited for hunting medium-sized game at distances of up to two hundred yards, and in some cases, significantly further with proper equipment. The straight-walled cartridge is designed to deliver consistent energy on target. It excels at delivering energy into the intended target and can be used for multiple types of game.
Why use this cartridge in an AR-15? The answer is simple: the AR-15 platform offers a reliable and versatile base for building custom rifles. The modular design of the AR-15 allows for easy barrel swaps, making it simple to create a rifle chambered in 350 Legend. The cartridge fits well within the AR-15’s design, offering compatibility and performance. It also ensures legal hunting in some states. With the growth in popularity of the 350 Legend, this cartridge is also easier to find and offers flexibility in ammunition options.
Key Factors to Consider When Selecting Your 350 Legend AR15 Barrel
The foundation of any accurate and reliable 350 Legend AR15 build is the barrel. Several factors influence its performance, and understanding these will help you make the right choice.
The Impact of Length on the Rifle
Barrel length is a critical factor. It directly affects both bullet velocity and the overall size and handling characteristics of your rifle. The longer the barrel, generally, the higher the muzzle velocity. This translates to a flatter trajectory and more energy delivered to the target at longer ranges. However, longer barrels can also make the rifle less maneuverable and heavier.
Various barrel lengths are available for the 350 Legend AR-15, each offering a different set of pros and cons. Popular choices include sixteen-inch, eighteen-inch, and twenty-inch barrels. A shorter sixteen-inch barrel offers the advantage of being more compact and lighter, ideal for hunting in brush or situations where maneuverability is critical. However, it may sacrifice some muzzle velocity, especially with heavier bullets. The slightly longer eighteen-inch barrel typically offers a good balance between velocity and maneuverability. You can generally achieve a better performance at longer ranges with a barrel of this size. Finally, the twenty-inch barrel provides the highest potential velocity, leading to flatter trajectories and better downrange performance. However, it adds significant weight and length to the rifle.
The Right Twist Rate
Twist rate refers to the rate at which the rifling inside the barrel causes the bullet to spin. This rotation is crucial for stabilizing the bullet in flight, improving accuracy. A proper twist rate ensures that the bullet doesn’t tumble or yaw as it travels downrange.
The recommended twist rate for the 350 Legend depends largely on the bullet weight you intend to use. Most manufacturers recommend a twist rate of one-to-sixteen inches, one-to-eighteen inches, or one-to-twenty inches. The one-to-sixteen-inch twist rate is often suitable for most bullet weights. The one-to-eighteen-inch twist rate is usually recommended for lighter bullets, while a one-to-twenty-inch twist rate may be better suited for heavier projectiles.
The impact of the twist rate on accuracy is significant. A twist rate that is too slow will not stabilize the bullet, resulting in poor accuracy. A twist rate that is too fast can over-stabilize the bullet, which can also reduce accuracy.
Materials Matter: Understanding Barrel Construction
The materials used to construct the barrel greatly influence its performance, durability, and cost. Different materials offer different trade-offs.
One common material is 4140 Chrome Moly Steel. This is a popular choice due to its good balance of durability and cost. It is readily available and widely used in firearms production. 4140 steel is typically treated with processes to enhance its resistance to corrosion. Another option is 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium Steel, which is a more robust variant of 4140 steel. It offers improved strength and is often preferred for applications requiring extended use or more demanding conditions.
Stainless steel barrels are also a popular option. Stainless steel offers superior corrosion resistance, making it ideal for use in wet or humid environments. Stainless steel barrels are often known for their excellent accuracy potential. However, stainless steel barrels can be more expensive than chrome moly steel.
Besides the base materials, surface treatments such as Nickel Boron or Melonite can improve the barrel’s wear resistance and corrosion resistance. These coatings create a hard, slick surface that reduces friction and improves durability.
Profile and Features That Define a Barrel
The barrel profile refers to the shape and thickness of the barrel. It affects weight, heat dissipation, and stiffness. Lightweight profiles, such as pencil barrels, are designed for minimal weight, making them ideal for hunting rifles or rifles used for carry. Standard profiles offer a good balance of weight and rigidity, while heavy profiles provide maximum stiffness and improve accuracy, but at the cost of increased weight. Bull barrels are the heaviest and most rigid of all, often used in precision shooting applications.
The muzzle threading is essential for attaching muzzle devices such as compensators, flash hiders, or suppressors. The thread pitch for the 350 Legend AR-15 barrels is most often five-eighths of an inch by twenty-four threads per inch. This is important, especially if you plan to use a suppressor or other muzzle devices.
The gas block journal is the portion of the barrel where the gas block is mounted. Make sure that your barrel is compatible with the AR-15 gas system.
Careful consideration is needed with the chamber of the barrel. Make sure that the barrel is properly chambered and compatible with the cartridge. This will ensure that the cartridges will load properly.
Some barrels have fluting, which involves machining grooves along the barrel’s exterior. Fluting reduces weight and increases the surface area of the barrel, which can help dissipate heat more quickly, improving accuracy during prolonged shooting.
Manufacturers and Brands to Consider
Several reputable manufacturers produce high-quality 350 Legend AR15 Barrels. Researching these brands will greatly assist in finding the best options.
Some of the best-known manufacturers include Ballistic Advantage, a company renowned for producing high-quality barrels at competitive prices. They offer a wide range of options, including different barrel lengths, profiles, and materials. Faxon Firearms is another popular choice. Known for innovative designs and excellent performance, Faxon barrels often incorporate advanced features. Wilson Combat is also a top name in the AR-15 barrel world. The barrels from this company are known for their premium quality and exceptional accuracy.
When comparing different barrel models, consider the features that are most important to your shooting needs. Things like barrel length, material, and twist rate are all things you should consider. Compare pricing and read reviews.
For purchasing your barrel, consider trusted retailers and online stores. Check with specialty shops and online retailers like Brownells, MidwayUSA, and Primary Arms, among many others.
Proper Installation and Maintenance
Once you’ve chosen your 350 Legend AR15 Barrel, proper installation and maintenance will make it a success.
The Process of Putting It Together
Installing a new barrel requires specific tools. You will need an AR-15 barrel wrench, a torque wrench, and a bench vise with barrel vise blocks. Ensure that you follow all safety precautions before beginning the installation process. Secure the receiver in the vise, and using the correct barrel wrench, remove the original barrel. Make sure the barrel nut is torqued to the correct specifications.
Care and Upkeep of Your Barrel
After installation, proper maintenance is essential for extending the barrel’s lifespan and ensuring optimal performance. Regularly clean your barrel using a cleaning rod, bore brush, and cleaning solvent to remove carbon and copper fouling. Make sure that you dry the barrel thoroughly.
Store your AR-15 in a cool and dry environment. This will help prevent corrosion. Also, check your barrel periodically for signs of wear and tear. This will allow you to address any issues before they negatively affect performance.
Dealing with Common Issues
Troubleshooting problems with your AR-15 is a key aspect of building and maintaining your rifle. Issues with accuracy, feeding, or extraction can often be resolved with troubleshooting. If you encounter accuracy problems, make sure that your barrel is properly installed and that your scope is correctly mounted. If you experience feeding or extraction issues, check your gas system and ammunition.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best 350 Legend AR15 Barrel is essential for maximizing the performance of your AR-15. Understanding the various factors discussed in this article will help you make an informed decision. Carefully evaluate your specific shooting needs, hunting goals, and budget to find the barrel that best fits your requirements.
Consider the factors mentioned, compare options from reputable manufacturers, and then consider the features and characteristics that matter most to your shooting needs. Researching, building, and testing are all key parts of enjoying your customized AR-15. Now, equip yourself with the knowledge and start building your perfect 350 Legend AR-15!
