Shilen vs rock creek?

[JuanC]

I have a buddy wanting to sell me a barrel. He has a new shilen and rock creek. Both are 18" and fluted. Not sure what the difference or if 1 brand is better than the other. Not sure what to go with.

[1911man]

Is he asking the same price for both?

[Texas]

Shilen hands down!

[JuanC]

Is he asking the same price for both?

Yea, same price for both.

[VASCAR2]

Shilen, mine has been great. I got my 6.5 Grenel Shilen 20" from Midway a few years ago. I'm very satisfied.

I looked at Rock Creek's web site and they sell cut rifled barrels but I was unable to find any specific information on their AR-15 barrels. There was some info of barrels for bolt action but nothing I found on 6.5 Grendel barrels. Just curious which chamber/bolt, twist they use on their 6.5 Grendels.

The Shilen barrels are known product as several forum members have used Shilen barrels. Maybe if a forum member has a Rock Creek barrel they'll chime in.

[mdram]

shilens site says .125 bolt face, thought this was bad?
or was it made by someone on a shilen blank?

[65Whelen]

I've got a 16" Rock Creek barrel, SAAMI chamber and .136 bolt. With Nosler BTs it shoot sub-moa, Hornady SSTs shoot moa. Rock Creek has a good reputation for cut rifling barrels. This barrels is listed for sale here on the forum, nothing wrong with it, just want to go to a longer barrel.

If you don't mind what is your buddy asking for those barrels?

[Drillboss]

shilens site says .125 bolt face, thought this was bad?
or was it made by someone on a shilen blank?

Do you have a link to the .125 bolt face, because I can't find it? I bought a Shilen barrel from Midway, and it came with an Alexander Arms bolt (0.136").

[mdram]

Do you have a link to the .125 bolt face, because I can't find it? I bought a Shilen barrel from Midway, and it came with an Alexander Arms bolt (0.136").

http://www.shilen.com/wp/ar15-drop-in-barrels/

it says
"Shilen’s AR bolts are right hand bolts with a .125 face depth."

there is no differentiation for the grendel

[VASCAR2]

My Shilen Match Profile 20" 1:9 twist from Midway came with a Matched bolt which is .136 and has a SAAMI chamber. Shilen sells barrel blanks which can be finished by the buyer. Shilen is also a supplier and builds barrels to customer specification. According to Shilen's web site the buyer has the option to supply a bolt.

I think the only way to know for sure which chamber and bolt Shilen used on a particular barrel is to call them. They can probably tell whether the barrel was sold as a blank or finished by them. If they produced the barrel they should be able to give specific information on the chamber. I read where one person called Shilen and the person who answered the phone was not knowledgeable on the 6.5 Grendel barrels sold by Shilen and provided some confusing information. Getting the correct answers on the phone is always going to require talking to people that actually know the product.

[Drillboss]

http://www.shilen.com/wp/ar15-drop-in-barrels/

it says
"Shilen’s AR bolts are right hand bolts with a .125 face depth."

there is no differentiation for the grendel

Thanks. The Shilen site I was on didn't have the /wp in the URL and didn't mention anything about bolt face depth. I have to agree with VASCAR2, call and keep asking questions until you're sure about the answer. It's not always an easy task.

[mdram]

maybe one of the sites is older

thats the one i found in a search.

i agree a call.

or he can measure the bolt of the barrel being offered

[Compton2000]

Shilen website does not recommend fluting barrels. I would question that barrel. My 20 inch from Midwayusa has a bolt face of .136, measured 2 days ago. Barrel was purchased fall of 2015