Q&A Ballistic Advantage E28 - How to Dimple a Barrel and Muzzle Device Accuracy

[@ericoman349]

Why don't you dimple during manufacturing

[@mve9924]

Honestly, the fact that the new BA barrel I acquired isnt dimpled at least once ....makes me want to return it out of principle.

[@mick5740]

Indeed

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

The fact BA isn’t dimpling every barrel that leaves their factory tells me all I need to know about them. Ballistic Advantage is the Temu app of barrel manufacturers.

[@ryanfusari9588]

Why not dimple them from the factory? I get there is a variance in gas blocks but there has to be a happy median.

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

There is no variance in gas blocks unless you’re using an out of spec gas block. Any in spec gas block will index directly off a dimple drilled opposite of the gas port. Two dimples is not really necessary but a single dimple indexed opposite of a the gas port absolutely is.

[@peteregger7928]

Criterion dimples their barrels at the gas port location. Why can't Ballistic Advantage/Aero do the same?

[@gsmithy7995]

They want you to buy their pinned gas block and if you dimple it yourself I assume they void the warranty 🤦🏽

[@mckimmym]

Or you could just dimple the barrels before you sell them.

[@9770G]

Exactly. I ordered a complete upper and lower from Aero Precision but I’m canceling my order now because I found out the gas block in my upper is not pinned, nor is the barrel dimpled.

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

Offering properly manufactured quality products is out of Ballistic Advantages (aka Aero Precision’s 😂) ability. No dimples for you!

[@ChristianGrest]

I actually dimple my barrels the same way. Just take it slow and easy, checking every now and again. Question: Do you prefer the midlength or rifle length gas system on an 18" barrel? I see many manufacturers having both...

[@tilepusher]

I love you guys! I have to throw in my advice on Dimpling a Barrel, because this is the internet & you can't really be sure of how experienced the user is. Get & use a Barrel Dimple Jig, like the one by SLR Rifleworks. This is the only way to make the Dimple in exactly the right spot & NOT ruin your Barrel. One of the Set Screws of the Gas Block is positioned directly opposite of the Gas Port. The Dimple Jig, uses a pointed Set Screw to find the Gas Port in the Barrel & position the spot to drill the Dimple Perfectly & saves the Threads of your Gas Block. If you are uncertain of the future of your rifle setup, like you may change the standard Gas Block for a Adjustable Gas Block, just make the Dimple under the Gas Port, not for all the Gas Block Set Screws, because Gas Block size & position of Set Screws, Isn't standardized for all brands of Gas Blocks. Dimpling is great because it positions the Gas Block perfectly over the Gas Port & stops rotation & movement of the Gas Block. I wish I was in the industry, I would have loved to see you guys at the BA booth at SHOT Show. Keep up the great work.

[@rudym4324]

Don’t they void your warranty if you dimple BA barrels ?

[@JerrBearTactical]

Hello there Ballistic Advantage. Just wanted to let you know I am a True Believer in your barrels love them love them love them. I'm the topic of dimpling there is a company not far from you guys Winter Gardens, Florida SLR Rifleworks that makes and sells a dimpling jig that is awesome. I have used it on a dozen of your barrels / Aero Precision barrels. Y'all have a wonderful day.

[@phitaujwalk]

Sarah, how did you like your first shot show? Clint, how did you get started designing & manufacturing AR barrels?

[@BallisticAdvantage]

Shot Show was a blast! I learned a ton and met lots of amazing industry people and Vegas is super interesting! That is a great question and we plan to do a video on this very topic soon! Thanks so much for watching 😊 -Sarah @BA

[@jordanstamps5475]

Hey BA would y'all ever offer an upper assembly without the hand guard for people that want to add there own later? I wanna use your 8" 300blk barrel with a vox silencer and a 12" free float.

[@dontask8979]

With so many different barrel nuts, you would have to pull it apart anyway.

[@BallisticAdvantage]

Hi Jordan, great question! Be sure to keep watching and see if Clint answers in an upcoming episode 😊 -Sarah @BA

[@TimRiordan1]

Im looking to build an AR15 pistol PDW in 5.56. I noticed that in the Modern Series you have 8" barrel; but in both the Premium Series and Performance Series (.223 Wylde) you offer 7.5" barrels. Why the 8" barrel in the Modern Series and not the other 2 series? Is there an advantage to the 7.5 inch over the 8"? Anyways, love the videos and keep up the good work.

[@BallisticAdvantage]

Hi Tim, thanks so much for the questions, they are great! Be sure to keep watching and see if Clint answers! Thanks for the love 😊 -Sarah @BA

[@kuzz7919]

Clint what are your thoughts on a clamp on gas port compared to a set screw / pinned? Do you dimple any of your barrels along with pinning them?

[@BallisticAdvantage]

Hi Kuzz! Thanks so much for the questions, be sure to keep watching and see if Clint answers in an upcoming episode! 😊 -Sarah @BA

[@mve9924]

A better way is to use one of the $100K+ machines YOU have at the factory...

[@chrissewell1608]

Clint, do you recommend the use of a Barrel Dimpling, alignment Tool? And does Ballistic Advantage sell them?

[@shelbymorton6248]

Slr makes an awesome dimple jig.

[@brenthanson894]

Mother of god!! I’m internet famous!!! But seriously, thanks for answering my question.

[@AlphaRomeoOneFive]

Congrats! What's it like to be so closely related to Clint lol?!

[@craigmyers5569]

Check out Johnny's Reloading Bench. He did a 4 part series seeing the impact of muzzle devices had on accuracy and harmonics. thereloadersnetwork.com/2018/08/04/barrel-harmonics-testing-part-1/

[@BallisticAdvantage]

Hi Brent! Thanks so much for you fabulous question! Please shoot me an e-mail with your contact info so that we can send you some patches! [e-mail] 😊 -Sarah @BA

[@brenthanson894]

AlphaRomeo-OneFive if only! Family reunions would be a great time.

[@JerrBearTactical]

Lucky bastard ... lol

[@AlphaRomeoOneFive]

Sooo, any plans for pistol barrels yet 😉 and which gun is each of your favorites that you own and why?

[@MrRkangel]

When did you move to 5R rifling in the Modern Series (at least 300 blackout)? Why 5R in the Modern and not Hanson? What are the advantages?

[@BallisticAdvantage]

This is a great question! Be sure to keep watching and see if Clint answers 😊 -Sarah @BA

[@MrRkangel]

Cool! Thanks! I've used BA barrels in multiple builds. They always run great!

[@w2rac]

Superlative Arms says clamp on gas blocks are stronger than pinned/dimpled.

[@Loonie1029]

What new products did you release at Shot Show?

[@BallisticAdvantage]

We should do a video on this! Thanks for watching!!! 😊 -Sarah @BA

[@mrmom22]

I've heard of Lapping a barrel and that one can do this with special ammo. Is lapping a barrel needed. especially since buttons rifling is so prevalent now?

[@BallisticAdvantage]

Great question! Be sure to keep watching and see if we use your question in an upcoming episode! 😊 -Sarah @BA

[@josephsantana3094]

Does dimpling still need to be done on barrel with a pinned gas block? I just got a ba hanson 12.3 and it did not come dimpled for the set screws. It just has the slot cut for the pin.

[@isdaaatrite]

Same, I got the 14.5. Did you end up dimpling yours? I just put the pin, straightener the block out and tightened the screws.

[@josephsantana3094]

@@isdaaatrite I didn't dimple just put the pin and in an tightened the screws with locktite and sent it. I've only put about 500 rounds through it as I haven't been able to shoot much the past several months but so far it's still just as tight as when I first put it on nothing has come loose or moved.

[@ClangandBang]

Can I ask my question in person, as in be a guest in a Q&A video?

[@BallisticAdvantage]

We were just talking about having guests on Q&A.... stay tuned! 😊 -Sarah @BA

[@ClangandBang]

"Are you serious Clark?"

[@Skylyned]

There is no "gently" drilling QPQ barrels. You'll burn through drill bits while wandering all over the place enough to destroy your gas block you're using as a jig

[@mick5740]

Does right to bear use your bArrels ? Un dimpled a gas block walked after maybe 500 rounds ! What kind of crap is this !?

[@laskymk1846]

11.5 9mm barrel with cooling fines like the thompson submachine gun???

[@donhammer186]

My "?" regarding this video is... Why do so many barrel mfg's fail to notify buyer's that it is necessary to account for the missing handguard cap between the gas block and barrel when using a freefloat handguard as opposed to a standard A-2 captured handguard, or offer a shim to take up the space? How many good barrels get the blame for lack of knowledge, and how many good barrels get miss dimpled??

[@gsmithy7995]

The serious question is why is it you me and one other person the only other ppl that seem to understand what you are saying ...sad

[@donhammer186]

@@gsmithy7995 Thanks' G Smithy, I honestly thought more builders would have understood. (!?!)

[@alexv6324]

"Old Chinese proverb, don't dimple your barrel when you're angry." Is that from Mulan?

[@BallisticAdvantage]

Haha, I wish! 😊 -Sarah @BA

[@Ninja6485]

It's from Gun Tsu

[@AlphaRomeoOneFive]

Is Clint a father for the third time yet? Sarah I hope you are enjoying shot show and having a good time!

[@BallisticAdvantage]

He is! It's his third girl! And Shot Show was a blast!!! 😊 -Sarah @BA

[@hemaldesai2604]

I dig your account name brother! I had to read it a couple times before I realized what it was lol

[@AlphaRomeoOneFive]

@@hemaldesai2604 Thanks bro!

[@dontask8979]

Who thinks they need "Ballistic Sarah" patches and tees?

[@BallisticAdvantage]

Haha yes! I like this idea! 😊 -Sarah @BA

[@dylconnaway9976]

How simple our problems sounded in 2019...