Rainier Mountain Series or BCM BFH barrel or....

[opie011]

I've been looking at these and can't decide which one. Looking at both 16" midlength. I have a 14.5" BCM LW middy upper and its awesome. I know I can't go wrong with either but I have no experience with Rainier barrels. If there's another make I should look at, please post up...looking to stay around the $300 mark.

[jackthewall81]

What are Noveske barrels going for these days? They are my personal choice.

[BuffCyclist]

No real input, but I think I read somewhere that the Rainier barrels were made by Black Hole Weaponry, but they may just be blanks, can't recall.

I was really intrigued by the Rainier new line of barrels, but for a longer wait time I could get what I really wanted, an 18" with rifle length gas system.

eta: Last I checked, noveske barrels were up in the $500 range.

[opie011]

No real input, but I think I read somewhere that the Rainier barrels were made by Black Hole Weaponry, but they may just be blanks, can't recall.

I was really intrigued by the Rainier new line of barrels, but for a longer wait time I could get what I really wanted, an 18" with rifle length gas system.

eta: Last I checked, noveske barrels were up in the $500 range.
Ive read that their barrels (maybe blanks) were made by BHW also?? Their Mountain Series are made from M249 machine gun barrel steel which, correct me if I'm wrong, are made by FNH? I've had to deal with Rainier customer service before and it was top notch!!

Would love a Noveske barrel but too rich for me:(

[ray1970]

I'm in the market for a quality, 16" mid gas barrel also. Thought I was going to go with a Noveske but not only would it set me back $450 ish but they are hard to find in stock anywhere. I was looking at the Rainier ones but not the ones you were looking at. I was looking at the ones with the polygonal rifling.

Let me know if you find a really good deal on something cool.

[Rabid]

Your looking at the right time, the Rainier select 16" barrels came back in stock for the 1st time in months https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=3279 if you don't mind a stainless colored barrel. Surplus Ammo & Arms has the Black Hole Weaponry (BHW) version in a black finish http://www.surplusammo.com/blackhole-weaponry-ar-15-16-mid-length-stainless-steel-5-56-1-8-poly-barrel/#arpartsfinder.com

I have BHW version of this barrel and i highly recommend it. The difference between the BHW barrel and the version made for Rainier by BHW is the Rainier has a little more metal removed and the Rainier has 5 groove rifling opposed to the 3 groove on the BHW barrels. These barrels are pretty beefy and are going to weigh more then the BCM BFH barrels. FYI These barrels do not have true polygonal rifling, the rifling is much more akin to 5-R rifling.
39213
Rainier uses different company's to make their different grades of barrels (IIRR Shillen makes the Ultramatch, Wilson makes the Match and BHW makes the Select) and i have no clue who makes the mountain series but the select series is supposed to be a step up and in your price range.
Another barrel that would be hard to beat for the money are the White Oak Armament barrels http://www.brownells.com//rifle-parts/barrel-parts/rifle-barrels/ar-15-m16-match-barrels-prod54526.aspx?avs|Make_3=AR-15/M4&psize=96&avad=avant&aid=112619&cm_mmc=affiliate-_-Itwine-_-Avantlink-_-Custom+Link

[opie011]

So you're saying the select is a step up from the mountain series?

[Rabid]

Sorry i should have been more specific. From talking to them my understanding is in the accuracy department they are. You are going to pay a premium on a cold hammer forged barrel because they are so popular and will last longer before they are shot out. The 233/5.56 is a forgiving round on barrels so expect 10k+ rounds out of either barrel before you get key holing but a CHF barrel will handle more abuse like mag dumps and bi metal jackets used in Russian and Privi ammo. My guess is the mountain series are FNH barrels or blanks too, and we all know they are good barrels. It is going to depend on what you want out of your rifle on what barrel you choose.