Gunsmithing Accurizing...... Doing a 7mm AR build ???

[Blasst]

I was wondering if anyone has their AR rifle trued and various parts accurized when building like we do with bolt guns?

Other than quality parts...trigger, barrel, etc....What other things does a custom builder of quality firearms do when <span style="font-weight: bold">accurizing an AR specifically</span>.

truing, bedding, etc...what else???


Jim

 

[Mgordon]

Re: Accurizing an AR???

Jim,

Asking all the secrets already????

You can apply some of the same theories, such as truing the upper receiver, bedding the upper and lower, re-crowning, match parts...etc..

I'd say it mostly lies in the barrel and chamber....assuming other components are working as advertised.

Mark

 

[Blasst]

Re: Accurizing an AR???

so I could send in my bolt, barrel, and upper receiver and have them checked, then bed the upper and lower and it might make a difference huh?

Sounds good to me.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Mgordon]

Re: Accurizing an AR???

There is some controversy about the bedding, but it allows the upper and lower to lock down tight, allowing the whole rifle to feel more solid and the hammer to strike the firing pin the same way every time. Much of the accuracy improvements that are performed are aimed at making the firearm function the same way every time.

PM Sent.

Mark

 

[Blasst]

Re: Accurizing an AR???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: US Handgunner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Jim,

Asking all the secrets already????

</div></div>

missed that remark....I was doing some vigorous thinking I guess.

Yes...all the secrets LOL...I am going to build an AR that is as accurate as I can get it ...just for the fun and reward of doing it and cut as many ????? from the equation as I can.

 

[scotharr]

Re: Accurizing an AR???

ARs are way different than bolt guns. Bedding is rarely done. Here is what will get you 99.9% of the way there.

1. Get a top notch barrel with the extension already installed and mated to a new bolt from a reputable AR shop like Compass Lake Engineering or White Oak Armaments. Buying these as a system makes sure the headspace is optimized for function and accuracy. Of course, there are other good shops, but these two are known to cater to competitive highpower shooters...you will be sure it is done to their high standards.
2. Make sure the barrel is free floated. This is important when shooting with a sling or from a bipod.....well its important pretty much always.

3. Good optics with a good mounting system. No different than any other rifle.

That's it. You can talk about a bunch of other stuff, but you are working at the margin. The items shown above will get you a 3/4MOA gun out to 600 yards....and that is damn good. A good trigger would be next on my list, but its not essential, especially when shooting prone from a bipod.

If you can't stand the simple answer, then read "Black Magic, The Ultra Accurate AR-15" by John Feamster. He will delve into the other 0.1% you are interested in. Unlike most, he backs his opinions with testing. He even covers bedding the upper and lower together....yes, a small improvement.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Re: Accurizing an AR???

I have not personally experienced but have heard of one supposedly reputable builder state this about ringing the most accuracy out of the platform. An extremely tight chamber where you would need to neck size or turn the necks. By removing the ability to have 100% reliable rapid feeding from a magazine and taking more of a single load approach, it was claimed you could obtain 1/4 MOA from .223. I believe that this was referenced specifically to a .223 chamber, not a Wylde. I have no idea what bullets the actual shooter was using, but would have to guess NOT 80 SMK? The 1/4 MOA claim was from the shooter back to the smith once he had it in hand.

I believe some of the best accuracy claims I've heard about the platform are from those using some flavor of 6mm. Obviously starting off with a really quality barrel and headspaced bolt in any caliber ought to set you off right. It's funny though, because as many people who will say get a Krieger, WOA, Rock, whatever barrel, don't usually post any pictures of groups they shot with their wonder AR.

 

[scotharr]

Re: Accurizing an AR???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fngmike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have not personally experienced but have heard of one supposedly reputable builder state this about ringing the most accuracy out of the platform. An extremely tight chamber where you would need to neck size or turn the necks. By removing the ability to have 100% reliable rapid feeding from a magazine and taking more of a single load approach, it was claimed you could obtain 1/4 MOA from .223. I believe that this was referenced specifically to a .223 chamber, not a Wylde. I have no idea what bullets the actual shooter was using, but would have to guess NOT 80 SMK? The 1/4 MOA claim was from the shooter back to the smith once he had it in hand.
</div></div>

A really tight chamber and ARs do not go together. Your AR will indeed turn into a single-shot rifle and you will be very frustrated. Just get a bolt gun if this is what you are looking for. I have never heard of anyone chambering an AR so tight that you have to neck turn brass. Given how rough an AR treats brass, that is just a terrible idea. Stick with a Wylde chamber and marvel at the most accurate semi-automatic ever invented.

Oh, and regarding posting groups....heck no. Post your scores from an F-Class or XTC match. The F-class X-ring is 1/2MOA and the 10 is 1MOA. ARs have won plenty of competitions out to 600 yards....on a calm day.

Here's someone who used an AR to beat all the bolt guns in THE match: http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2008/08/10/bernosky-wins-camp-perry-high-power-championship/
PS. That's a WOA upper.

 

[pklin1297]

Re: Accurizing an AR???

One smart thing I did when building mine was to go with a Compass Lake Engineering 1-7 twist barrel. Now granted the fit between my Mega upper and lower receivers was great, and I used a lot of quality parts throughout, I truly believe, like Scooter-Pie mentioned in #1, that the barrel was what made the gun accurate. At 100 yards I consistently got tiny groups (with 77gr. hand loads). Even with factory Black Hills ammo it did very well. CLE built my barrel from a Douglas blank and had it in my hands from order to arrival in 1.5 weeks... That sealed the deal between them and the WOA barrel I was also considering.

 

[Blasst]

Re: Accurizing an AR???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fngmike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I believe some of the best accuracy claims I've heard about the platform are from those using some flavor of 6mm. Obviously starting off with a really quality barrel and headspaced bolt in any caliber ought to set you off right. It's funny though, because as many people who will say get a Krieger, WOA, Rock, whatever barrel, don't usually post any pictures of groups they shot with their wonder AR. </div></div>

I hear ya on that....I have a 6.5 grendel that is pretty impressive and easy to shoot.

Yes few people seem to post pics of good groups unless they are selling a gun.

Maybe they don't have a camera with them when the lightning strikes.

On this build I'll go with a cut rifled barrel in 7mm (Bartlein, Rock, Krieger) whoever can get to it and I'm trying to find the most rigid receivers I can. Rock creek maybe. I like the receivers Larue is making but they aren't selling parts (for large frame AR's anyway)..... So I am narrowing my parts suppliers down...and getting ready to order things as I find them.

Thanks for the input.

jim

 

[Blasst]

Re: Accurizing an AR???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SoCalPete</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One smart thing I did when building mine was to go with a Compass Lake Engineering 1-7 twist barrel. Now granted the fit between my Mega upper and lower receivers was great, and I used a lot of quality parts throughout, I truly believe, like Scooter-Pie mentioned in #1, that the barrel was what made the gun accurate. At 100 yards I consistently got tiny groups (with 77gr. hand loads). Even with factory Black Hills ammo it did very well. CLE built my barrel from a Douglas blank and had it in my hands from order to arrival in 1.5 weeks... That sealed the deal between them and the WOA barrel I was also considering. </div></div>

hey...good info. Thanks. I'll have to check out CLE.

jim

 

[pklin1297]

Re: Accurizing an AR???

I don't have a habit of taking a camera with me to ranges, and the camera phone won't cut it. After the novelty of shooting good groups wears off, I put shoot-n-see dots over previously shot groups and shoot those again, then repeat. When that gets old, my friends and I ring steel at 200 and 300 yards if the range has them set up but that's about as far as my regular range goes here in Fontana, CA. I used to be able to shoot circles with my CLE barrel over my friend's Rock River 18" upper .223, then he went and got a Rem built by Randy (HateCA) at R&D...

 

[Blasst]

Re: Accurizing an AR???

hey...my phone camera takes kick ass pics...but I am so used to using a bigger camera I always forget it has a phone in it.....Sheesh!

dangerous game......
http://www.jimlowell.com

 

[nicholst55]

Re: Accurizing an AR???

One thing that nobody has mentioned is the trigger. I <span style="font-style: italic">assume</span> that you have already replaced the issue trigger group with a quality aftermarket unit like a Geiselle. You'll <span style="font-style: italic">never</span> get the kind of consistent accuracy that you seek without an aftermarket trigger.

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: Accurizing an AR???

When it comes to AR's I say it comes down to a couple of things for me - Barrel and Trigger control. I agree with the above poster about Geiselle; I have two DMR's and they are the best trigger out on the market today. Of course it also the most expensive too.