FAXON MATCH SERIES HEAVY FLUTED 18" RIFLE-LENGTH 223 WYLDE AR15 BARREL
FaxonFaxon Match Series — 18" Heavy Fluted .223 Wylde AR-15 Barrel (Rifle-Length Gas)
416R Stainless • 5R Rifling • Heavy Fluted Profile • Nickel Teflon M4 Extension • Salt Bath Nitride Inside & Out
The Faxon Match Series 18" Heavy Fluted .223 Wylde pairs match-grade materials and manufacturing with a heavy-fluted contour that improves thermal management and stiffness while trimming weight vs. a straight heavy barrel. Designed for shooters who demand repeatable accuracy over long strings of fire, this barrel is purpose-built for competition, precision training, and duty applications.
Manufactured from premium 416R stainless and button-rifled with 5R lands, then treated with salt bath nitride inside & out, each barrel is stress-relieved, air-gauge tested, MPI-inspected, and headspace-verified in-house. The M4 extension is finished with Nickel Teflon to increase lubricity and tighten the extension-to-receiver interface for consistent shot-to-shot performance.
Key Benefits
- Heavy Fluted profile: Increased rigidity and cooling surface area with weight savings compared to full-contour heavy barrels.
- .223 Wylde chamber: Optimized for match accuracy with .223 Rem while safely accepting 5.56 NATO pressures.
- Match-grade construction: 416R stainless, 5R rifling, 1:8 twist for excellent accuracy across bullet weights.
- Salt Bath Nitride I/O: Enhanced corrosion resistance, reduced fouling, and extended barrel life.
- Nickel Teflon M4 extension: Improves feeding and repeatable receiver fit.
- Full QC: Stress relieved, air-gauge tested, MPI, and headspace checked at every barrel.
Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
Why pick a Heavy Fluted barrel?
What are the advantages of 5R rifling?
Is salt bath nitride safe on stainless?
Overview: 18" Match Series Heavy Fluted .223 Wylde Barrel
The Faxon Match Series 18" Heavy Fluted .223 Wylde is engineered for shooters who demand stability, heat management, and match-grade accuracy in a rifle-length platform. Built from 416R stainless bar stock and button-rifled with 5R geometry (1:8 twist), this barrel minimizes jacket deformation and fouling while maximizing uniformity shot-to-shot. The heavy fluted contour increases the barrel's surface area for better cooling and adds rigidity where it counts — delivering consistent groups through sustained strings of fire without the full weight penalty of a straight heavy barrel.
Faxon Match barrels receive a salt bath nitride treatment inside and out to lock in the bore, enhance corrosion resistance, and reduce the frequency and severity of fouling. Each barrel is fully stress-relieved, air-gauge tested, magnetic particle inspected (MPI), and individually headspace-verified to meet demanding quality standards. The M4 extension is finished with a Nickel Teflon coating to improve dry lubricity and tighten the extension-to-receiver fit — a small detail that improves feeding and mechanical consistency.
The rifle-length gas system smooths the recoil impulse for faster follow-ups and more controllable strings, making the 18" Heavy Fluted an excellent choice for precision matches, extended training, and duty use where sustained accuracy and temperature management matter. If you want a match-grade barrel that stays cool, shoots straight, and lasts, the Faxon Match Series 18" Heavy Fluted .223 Wylde delivers.
- Barrel Material:
- 416-R Stainless
- Barrel Type:
- 5R Button Rifled
- Caliber:
- .223 Wylde
- Barrel Length:
- 18"
- Barrel Twist:
- 1:8
- Barrel Profile:
- Heavy Fluted
- Barrel Gas System:
- Rifle
- Outside Finish:
- QPQ Nitride
- Muzzle Thread:
- 1/2x28
- Gas Block Diameter:
- .750"
- Gas Block Journal Length:
- 1.1"
- Barrel Extension:
- M4 - Nickel Teflon Coated
- Barrel Weight:
- 1.93 Lbs
- Crown Type:
- Recessed 11-degree Target Crown
Reviews
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Faxon 18” .223 Wylde Heavy Fluted Match Barrel
Initially I had some trouble getting this barrel to group, but last weekend it turned into a laser beam and put 3 consecutive shots into less than an inch at 100 yards with 55 grain ball ammo. It retained that level of accuracy with 77 grain S&B ammo, and I was able to repeatedly ring the 10” gong at 550 yards with iron sights yesterday. Very impressed.
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FAXON MATCH SERIES 18" HEAVY FLUTED, .223 WYLDE, RIFLE-LENGTH, 416-R STAINLESS QPQ NITRIDE, 5R, NICKEL TEFLON EXTENSION AR-15 BARREL
Barrel arrived two days after placing the order. Looks great and has excellent accuracy.
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Fluted .223 wylde 18"
Very good barrel. Used for a build for varmints, mainly coyotes.
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Very nice barrel
This barrel has very nice machining, finishing, and fit. The fluting reduces enough weight to make this more than just a range gun. The accuracy of this barrel is what made me purchase more Faxon barrels. I am getting consistent sub MOA with BH 77 gr factory ammo.
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Nice barrel
Bought this as a replacement for an 18 inch FN barrel that would not print groups below 2 inches. Very pleased with this barrel. First five shot group after break in was just at an inch with 77 grain handloads.
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Match Series 18" Heavy Fluted .223 wylde
Great quality! Extremely accurate.
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Outstanding, Sub Moa All Day
First precision AR I've attempted, First match barrel. Faxon has excellent quality, would highly recommend.
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Excellent
I have owned this barrel for about two years as of the time of this review. I bought this barrel for an SPR build and I am not disappointed. This has been an excellent barrel; very accurate. This was my third Faxon barrel and will not be my last. I don't think you can get a better barrel for the money, so I keep coming back to them.
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Faxon match series 18 inch heavy fluted .223 wylde
So far a great barrel. Good lock up and seems to be holding a tight group. Will give a further update once I've zeroed and started shooting it in competition.