Ballistic Advantage Barrel

[jkody]

I decided to do a little review for those that have recently been discussing using Ballistic Advantage barrels on your builds or for those who may be looking for a barrel.

This gun started life a a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Magpul edition with a light weight profile barrel that I could not get better than 4 inch groups even after free floating it. So, I began my search for a barrel with a profile that I liked and would hopefully do way better than the LW that was on the gun.

I ended up purchasing a Ballistic Advantage 18" .223 wylde, mid length, stainless, premium Hanson series barrel direct from BA on sale for $206. This barrel came with low profile gas block pinned. Shipped to my doorstep in 5 days. Off to the garage I went to get this thing put together.

Ballistic Advantage guarantees the barrel for 1 MOA with match grade ammo. I ended up buying some Hornady 75 grain match as well as PMC 77 grain SMK OTM. Was able to get a nice weather day so off I went. Started out just cooking off AE 55 grain and periodically cleaning the barrel, not really looking or caring about accuracy but once I started to pay attention, I did notice that with the AE 55 grain, my groups were hovering at around an inch, inch and a quarter @ 100 yards.

After switching to match grade ammo, 3 shot groups were between 5/8 and 1 inch and the better groups were coming from the PMC 77 grain match ammo.

Backed this thing up to 200 yards in the hopes to get a 200 yard sight in. I found this to not be a problem as I was maybe a few inches high on the target but windage was on the mark. At 200 yards, I shot 8 3 shot groups with 7 of 8 at or under 2 inches, 1 group was just under 2 1/4 inches but the wind had picked up from near zero to about 5 mph so I'll pin that group on the wind. Best group measured out at just under 1 1/2 inches at 200 yards!



I am very happy with the results of this barrel and highly recommend Ballistic Advantage barrels to anyone looking to upgrade from stock or for a new build.

Gun specs

Upper Smith & Wesson M&P 15
Barrel Ballistic Advantage 18" mid stainless premium
BCG Smith & Wesson
Handguard Troy Alpha 11 inch

Lower Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Magpul edition
Trigger ALG ACE with JP yellow springs
LPK Smith & Wesson, added ambi selector
Buffer/tube Smith & Wesson
Stock Magpul ACS-L
Grip Ergo Ambi

Optic Leupold MK AR Mod 1 3-9 x 40

[L8Apex911]

I put a chrome moly 5.56Nato Hanson profile on my new build, very happy with it so far after 200rnds over the past week. Originally wanted a Daniel Defense but they are extended back order...almost ordered a Noveske.

$170 from BudsGuns!

[TKCastle]

What does a 5 shot group look like? Great review.

[Hoop]

What does a 5 shot group look like? Great review.

I can post pics if you want but mine usually group under an inch for 5 shots @ 100 unless I **** up.

[Gr8ride909]

Aim surplus has them with a pinned gas block

[Bansh88]

Just picked up an SPR upper with a Ballistic Advantage barrel. Havent shot it yet. Its going to be my only scoped rifle.

[jkody]

I only did 1 5 shot group @ 100 yards after 40 rounds rapid fire and it was about an inch and a quarter. With AE 55 grain.

[BMWguy206]

Just curious but why did you get a mid-length gas system rather than rifle length?

[jkody]

Wanted the gas block covered and had the alpha handguard already from when I free floated the stock barrel a couple of years ago.

[golfish]

Very nice OP