The Faxton AR15 barrel gives me two things I want in an AR15 barrel, accuracy and light weight. Faxon is known as one of the best AR15 barrel makers and the quality of this barrel top notch.
The Faxon AR15 Match Series 18″ Gunner barrel in 6.5 Grendel is the latest upgrade to my Hog Hunting Rifle. It is made of 416-R, has 5R rifling, Nitride finish, and a Nickel Teflon barrel Extension. My 6.5 Grendel Hog Hunting Rifle has gone through many changes and the Faxon barrel definitely makes it a better hunting rifle.
My 6.5 Atheris Upper assembly is very accurate but just too heavy for an old guy like me to lug around chasing hogs. After looking around for a light-weight barrel that was also accurate, I found the Faxon Match series Gunner barrel that weighs only 1.68 pounds.
Faxon’s AR15 barrels are manufactured in-house from gun-barrel-quality bar-stock. Like the Atheris barrels, the Faxon Match Series is made from 416-R stainless steel and has 5R rifling. 5R is a hybrid rifling, with lands opposite grooves and reduced sharp angles that reduce jacket deformation increasing velocity and easy cleaning. The barrels are Nitride treated inside and out, improving barrel life.
The extension is coated in Nickel Teflon which maintains dry lubricity, corrosion resistance, and with the coating, tightens up fit between the extension and receiver – again improving upon accuracy. The combination of these features produces a very accurate, lightweight barrel. See all the features below.
- Barrel Material: 416R Stainless Steel
- Barrel Type: 5R Button Rifled
- Barrel Caliber: 6.5 Grendel Type II
- Barrel Twist: 1:8
- Barrel Length: 18”
- Barrel Profile: Gunner
- Barrel Gas System: Mid
- Inside Finish: Salt Bath Nitride
- Outside Finish: Salt Bath Nitride
- Muzzle Thread:5/8-24
- Gas Block Diameter: .750″
- Gas Block Journal Length: 1.9″
- Barrel Extension: M4, Nickel Teflon Coated
- Weight: 1.68 lbs
- Magnetic Particle Inspected
- Recessed Target Crown
Faxon AR15 Barrel Accuracy
Both factory Hornady 123 SST ammo and handloads shot an inch or better at 100 yards. In addition to the Hornady ammo used for hogs, I loaded Speer TNT 90gn HP’s for my coyote loads. Using a full charge of IMR8208 powder, the 90gn HP’s clocked 2800 fps from the new 18″ Faxon Gunner.
I was eager to get out and hunt with the new barrel, so I did not spend a lot of time shooting groups at the range. I went through the recommended break-in procedure and the next five shots produced a one-inch 5-shot group at 100 yards. I was ready to hunt.
Fax AR15 Barrel on the Hunt
The first hunt with the Faxon AR15 Gunner barrel was great. Doug and I found a sounder of about 10 hogs and made a successful stalk to within about 50 yards. See the action below as we take out several of the hogs.
I highly recommend the Faxon AR15 Match Series 18″ Gunner barrel. You do not have to sacrifice good accuracy to save weight. For hunting, this barrel is all you need for 250-yard coyote shots. It shoots factory ammo under one MOA, and it only weighs about a pound and a half.
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