Are you in the market for a new AR-15 barrel but struggling to decide between Faxon and Ballistic Advantage?

These two brands are among the most popular choices for high-quality barrels, and the decision can be tough.

That’s why we’ve put together this article to help you understand the key differences between Faxon and Ballistic Advantage and ultimately determine which one is the best fit for your build.

Get ready for the ultimate battle of the barrels: Faxon vs Ballistic Advantage!

Faxon vs Ballistic Advantage

The Battle of the Barrels

We will break down the design and manufacturing of Faxon barrels and Ballistic Advantage barrels.

After the detailed breakdown, we’ll decide who we would go with based on our research and experience with both brands.

Faxon vs Ballistic Advantage at a Glance

 

Since both companies are known for their barrels, we will focus on that for our comparisons to see who is the overall winner.

Barrel Profile

Ballistic Advantage barrels are designed without a shoulder, which helps keep the barrel from bending too much when firing in full auto mode.

This design helps the barrel return to its original position more quickly, allowing for faster follow-up shots.

On the other hand, Faxon barrels use what they call a “Gunner” profile, which combines the thickness of a Government profile with the lighter weight of a Pencil profile.

This helps reduce barrel whip and increase heat resistance.

Because Faxon barrels are lighter than Ballistic Advantage barrels, we’ve decided to give Faxon the advantage in this area.

For more information on barrel profiles, check out our article titled AR15 Barrel Profiles | Choosing the Right One for Your Build.

Barrel Length

Faxon offers barrels of varying lengths, ranging from a compact 7.5 inches all the way up to a full-size 24 inches.

Meanwhile, Ballistic Advantage provides barrels with lengths ranging from 8 inches to 24 inches, giving customers a range of options to choose from.

Both manufacturers provide the same rifle barrel lengths, so this comparison is more or less a draw.

For a more in-depth discussion on what the best barrel length is for different calibers, check out the following articles.

Barrel Materials & Corrosion Resistance

Faxon relies solely on 4150 / “Mil-Spec” or 416-R steels for their barrels when it comes to heavy-fire applications, while Ballistic Advantage employs a durable, matte black QPQ corrosion-resistant exterior finish.

Both Faxon and Ballistic Advantage use high-carbon content steel in their barrels, making them resistant to high-heat scenarios and reducing wear over time. It’s difficult to choose between the two, so we’ve decided to call it a draw.

Faxon vs Ballistic Advantage
These barrel blanks just came out of the stress relief oven…off to the lathes they go! (Photo: Faxon Firearms)

At Ballistic Advantage, the manufacturing process starts with the finest quality 416R & CrMoV steel. To prepare for the button rifled process, the barstock is cut to length and then drilled, reamed, and rifled.

In addition to the button rifling, Faxon Firearms also uses nitrides on the entire barrel, both inside and out. This means that the Faxon barrel has the same level of corrosion and abrasion resistance throughout.

Due to the slight advantage in corrosion resistance, we’ve decided to give Faxon the win for this category.

Barrel Twist Rate

Ballistic Advantage provides a range of twist rates for their AR Barrels depending on the caliber being used.

For calibers like 5.56 Nato, .224 Valkyrie, and .300 Blackout, they offer a twist rate of 1:7, while for calibers such as 9MM and 308 Win, they offer a twist rate of 1:10.

On the other hand, Faxon uses variable twist rates for calibers like 300 BLK, which they have 1:5 twist options for. All twist rates (outside of 8.6 BLK) are chosen so the widest array of ammunition can be used.

The newer 8.6 Blackout round uses a fast twist rate of 1:3 to stabilize the large bullet in flight.

For more information on the rifling that Faxon uses, check out this article covering 5R Rifling vs. Traditional Rifling: Which is Better?

Faxon vs Ballistic Advantage
The term “5R” refers to the shape of the lands and grooves, which are rounded instead of sharp-edged. The rounded edges of the rifling reduce the amount of deformation and stress on the bullet as it travels down the barrel, resulting in less fouling and improved accuracy. The design of the 5R rifling helps to reduce bullet deformation, leading to less drag and a more stable flight path.

And the overall Winner is…

When it comes to choosing between Ballistic Advantage and Faxon AR-15 barrels, we ultimately lean towards the Faxon barrels.

Faxon Firearms is a well-respected manufacturer of precision rifle barrels that are designed for various applications. Their barrels are carefully crafted from high-quality materials, with a primary focus on accuracy, durability, and weight reduction.

Faxon provides a wide range of rifle barrels that come in different calibers, such as 5.56 NATO, 6.5 Creedmoor, 300 Blackout, and 7.62x39mm, among others. Additionally, they offer various barrel lengths and profiles that range from lightweight pencil barrels to heavy profile barrels that guarantee maximum accuracy.

Faxon rifle barrels stand out because of their unique patented flame and straight fluting technology that not only enhances the appearance of the barrel but also increases its heat dissipation and rigidity, thus improving accuracy and performance.

Their rifle barrels are crafted using top-grade materials, including 416-R stainless steel and 4150 steel, and come in different finishes like QPQ Nitride. These materials and finishes are chosen for their ability to withstand wear, corrosion, and heat, ensuring that your rifle barrel can withstand even the most challenging shooting conditions.

Whether you’re a competitive shooter, hunter, or law enforcement professional, Faxon rifle barrels are an excellent choice for anyone seeking high-quality, precise, and reliable rifle barrels. The company’s dedication to precision engineering and attention to detail guarantees that each barrel is crafted to the highest possible standards, resulting in a product that will exceed your expectations.

It’s worth noting that Faxon manufactures all their rifle barrels in-house, utilizing cutting-edge machinery and advanced quality control processes. This enables them to maintain rigorous quality control throughout the manufacturing process, ensuring that every barrel leaving their facility meets their stringent standards for accuracy, durability, and overall performance.

Faxon vs Ballistic Advantage
This Gunner barrel is getting a quality check in our QC lab, ensuring that every part is up to our standards. (Photo: Faxon Firearms)

All Faxon rifle barrels come with a Lifetime Guarantee, meaning that they will repair or replace any barrel that fails due to defects in materials or workmanship.

This guarantee is a testament to Faxon’s commitment to producing high-quality rifle barrels that are built to last. When you select a Faxon rifle barrel, you can be confident that you’re getting a product that is not only precisely crafted but also backed by a company that stands behind its work.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing a high-quality barrel for your AR-15, Faxon stands out for its exceptional accuracy and versatility.

While Ballistic Advantage is known for its durability and cost-effectiveness, Faxon truly excels in these key areas. Of course, the ultimate decision will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Both brands offer fantastic options that you can’t go wrong with.

Take a closer look at the features we’ve highlighted and consider investing in a Faxon barrel for your next AR-15 build or upgrade.

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