16" 6.8 SPC II, Mid-Length, 1:11, S2W®

I used this barrel for a hand built fighting rifle for personal defense applications, hunting and training. I wanted something that would hold it's accuracy for years to come and under periodic hard use, this 5R SPC II barrel from DD fit the bill, especially being the only hammer forged 6.8 SPC barrel available to builders. Using a milspec forged upper (Cerro forge), squaring the receiver, bedding the barrel with rocksett and torquing the barrel nut to 55 ft lbs on a JL Billet NANO Ultra Magnesium Alloy 15" handguard, it weighs about the same as a 16" gov profile 556 barrel with a typical 15" 6061 hanguard, but it shoots so much better! I get MOA or better accuracy with four different loads I use for various applications. The S2W profile is heavy, but it's accurate and holds accuracy even with heavy firing schedules. 5R, 1:11 twist and SPC II chamber are the optimal setup for common bullet weights from 85gr up through 120gr. I get 2605 fps from 110gr Hornady American Gunner (OTM) factory ammo and that's only SAAMI spec. It would be great if DD made a Scout or LW profile in this caliber as well for more common applications to keep weight lower without having to use exotic handguard materials, but I will say the S2W profile is a tank of a barrel and will take anything you can throw at it.

Wanted a 6.8 SPC III for a while. Decided to build a new upper. Wished DD offered a stripped upper I could get my hands on. This thing shot 1/2 Mil groups the first week using my V11 lower and a Vortex Razor HD. Have it mated to a Wilson Combat Upper using a Daniel Defense BCR. Will be finishing it out now that I like it so much with a WC lower. Very fun gun to shoot. S2W profile is a little on the heavy side but the added weight makes it a very soft shooter. This is the ultimate Hog Gun. Just trying to decide on what optic to leave on it. Working on reloads now. It is a little expensive to shoot.

Preliminarily, I'll give it all stars. I have shot less than 200 rounds but thus far (still tweaking loads) it shoots sweet. Nice tight bolt/lock-up, the chamber did not need polishing, rifling looks good (I have not bore-scoped it yet).

I did not want a stainless barrel on this build and the functional benefit of the 16-18" jump is much greater than 18-20". SO in my opinion, 20" is more weight to benefit than I wanted. I also like the profile. I've just not been a large fan of the lightweights where the segment behind the gasblock and in front of the chamber is thinner than that in front of the gasblock to muzzle. Just like a bowstring, barrels vibrate when used.

And if I counted right, there are 5 lands. Now, all things being equal, I prefer 5 lands to 4. Six lands is good as well but on a .277 5 might be a tad easier to clean.

$150 steel is good. The crowning is as well. Well packed and shipped. And, because I am in TN, they GA and it in stock at the time, quick too.

And did I mention a mid length too. I have no timing issues, no finish blems. It is a good barrel.