Another budget ar thread

[mi223]

So i have an itch for an ar 15 again... i had one a few years ago and sold it in disappointment. My expectations at the time was way off base, i was expecting it to perform like a precision rifle and a precision rifle it was not. I think i have a more reasonable expectation at this time.

The main purpose of this rifle is just for range shooting fun. There is a club a few hours away that is doing 600 dmr matches and another doing 2 gun rifle pistol matches. I dont plan on diving head first into match shooting, but it would be nice to have a rifle that would allow me to participate and learn with.

I am planning to use a variable optic. I like the vortex strike eagle but may go with a cheaper option from athalon to get me by for a while until i decided if this is something i want to continue pursuing.

What i am looking for is:

reliable (as in not messing with jams all the time but i do not need to trust my life to it).

Reasonably accurate. Hopefully 1-2 moa with bulk ammo and sub moa with load development (not sure if this is realistic)

I want a free floating barrel with mloc or keymod

A nice factory trigger would be nice but i expect that would be upgraded down the road.

These are some of the options i am looking at. Also looking at the build kits from palmetto state armory. I am open to any other options as well.

Mossberg
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/mobile/product/4491/redirect

Troy
https://grabagun.com/troy-defense-troy-carbine-cqb-5-56-spc-a3-or-black-30-round.html

What is the advice from the hide? The mossberg dosnt have a forward assist or dust cover. Not sure how important that is for my application. Not sure if i will ne happie witha rifle at this price point or keep saving. Cabelas has a seekens precision with a vortex strike eagle for 1300 right now. I know i would love that rifle but i cant bring myself to spend that much right now.

Thanks for any help.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[hlee]

You can get more for less by building your own, even factoring in buying the necessary tools. The accuracy is primarily in the barrel.

 

[demolitionman]

I built a budget AR15 rifle length, with a 1:7 twist 18" barrel so I could use the 77 SMK's and try my hand at making it a 600yd steel banger semi-auto gun. Bought a cheap Anderson lower, a CMMG 3lb drop in trigger, psa lower build kit minus trigger, an swfa 10x scope on some cheap weaver rifle rings(yes they worked fine for my eye relief). I'm having no issues tagging 300 to 400yd steel with it. Dopes out real nice to 600 and a 12" plate isn't that hard to ring if the wind is calm. But all this with handloading. This cheapie outshoots my buddies which cost him nearly 3x as much. Maybe I got lucky, or maybe it's just the handloads. Dunno. 250 rounds down the thing. Maybe it'll turn into a pile of crap and shoot terrible after a bunch of time on it and if it does, oh well. I'll slap a WOA barrel on it and keep going.

I reccomend building it. Not buying it. You'll get what you want that way and you'll appreciate it a little more in the end, ya know, after all the roll-pin cussing and what not.

 

[JMcBurn]

http://www.schuylerarmsco.com/produ...d-gen-2-15-m-lok-handguard-combo-black-60-993 upper and handguard $195
http://www.schuylerarmsco.com/produ...d-lower-receiver-gen-2-blem-w-aero-lpk-20-993 lower and LPK $80
http://www.spintaprecision.com/20-223-wylde-1-8-twist-fluted-barrel-sale/ barrel $120
http://www.spintaprecision.com/5-56-nitride-angle-cut-bolt-carrier-group-with-cryo-bolt-sale/ bolt $80

then add buffer, buffer tube, buffer spring, butt stock(or buy a complete lower with budget stock from Schuyler for $135 and you wouldn't have to put it together)

the gas system will cost another 30 bucks or so and you have a complete rifle.
My Spinta barrel shoots 1 moa or so with bulk IMI and has put groups down in the .3-.7 range during load development. But you could get a Ballistic Advantage barrel for around $170 or a WOA that should be tack driver for $250.

 

[Sir]

+1 for building your own, I don't know how many times someone shows me this "great deal" on some Anderson or other basic M4 clone and then spend a ton on a rail and trigger etc...

They always end up having more in it than if they had either just built their own or bought a mid level AR. Even if you just find a deal on a complete upper you like and put together your own lower you will still save cash.

But if you do decide to build, make sure and buy a quality BCG, I have seen several people put together a decent gun and then throw some cheap no name BCG in it and then wonder why it has functioning issues.

 

[Bakwa]

+2 for building your own. Rainier Arms guarantees Sub MOA out of all their barrels as a FYI.

Edit: Here's a link to their page. https://www.rainierarms.com/

 

[L.R.Novice]

I would say that your expectations are 100% realistic. Bulk ammo will typically group from 1-2 MOA and match ammo and/or reloads should easily get you down less than 1 MOA many times around .5 MOA.

I have had good luck with PSA components and wouldn't hesitate to recommend a build. But look at prices first. With prices as good as they are now, you might be able to find exactly what you want for a good price with a name brand that might hold its value better.

 

[mi223]

I have had good luck with PSA components and wouldn't hesitate to recommend a build. But look at prices first. With prices as good as they are now, you might be able to find exactly what you want for a good price with a name brand that might hold its value better.

This is what I was wondering and why i posted the link to the two rifles above. I am not against building but buying a turn key setup does appeal to me.

Any recommendations for a upper that would meet my criteria and i could put together a lower?

Thanks for the replies. Keep them coming


Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[L.R.Novice]

This is what I was wondering and why i posted the link to the two rifles above. I am not against building but buying a turn key setup does appeal to me.

Any recommendations for a upper that would meet my criteria and i could put together a lower?

Thanks for the replies. Keep them coming


Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

I've never owned or shot a Mossberg or Troy AR so I can't comment on those rifles.

The PSA uppers I have used are good and I believe they would meet your criteria. Personally I stay away from their PTAC line as I have heard less than positive comments about them; however, I have no experience to back that up.

Here is a quick video I did on a build:
https://youtu.be/iEuK43BgkyI

Good luck!

 

[Dirty D]

BCM sells really high quality uppers and lowers that have cosmetic blemishes for cheap, it sounds like you aren't looking for a safe queen so the cost difference will cover some nice components.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

For 600yd with a .223/5.56, I want 24". This is my 600yd AR, a Stag Model 6 Super Varminter. Opinions are going to vary, but for the price and the way it performs, this rifle fits my definition of a bargain.

To reproduce it on the cheap, I would build, and the key component, the barrel, is this one, from Midway. It's not a big buck barrel, but it shot the same as my Model 6 using my 600yd load when my buddy built his rifle around it.

Neither is going to be a run-n-gun rifle, the barrel is just too long and heavy. For that, I would build a separate upper. I did, and I put my main investment into the barrel. Once again, I went with a Stag barrel, and I also left off the threading/muzzle device (NY?). I am very pleased with its accuracy using factory 55gr (Prvi-Partizan/PPU) and 62gr (M-855, and Fed Fusion MSR 62gr Bonded) ammunition. For a reliably accurate BDC with these loads, try this Bushnell AR Drop Zone scope. The Vortex AR SPARC dot sight is excellent in the run-n-gun application. I make most of my match handloads from my own fired PPU 55gr 100yd practice ammo.

Greg

 

[mi223]

What do you guys think about this upper if i paired it with one of their complete lowers?

http://palmettostatearmory.com/blem...lightweight-upper-with-bcg-ch-516444658b.html



Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[mi223]

Also. Looking at ggk's parts list and that is a 15 in handgaurd. What do you guys recommend? I was thinking 12 in with 16 in barrel. But would i be better suited with a 15in with 18in barrel? Not like i am kicking in doors and need a short compact rig but i do like short and easy to handle

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[Bakwa]

What do you guys think about this upper if i paired it with one of their complete lowers?

http://palmettostatearmory.com/blem...lightweight-upper-with-bcg-ch-516444658b.html



Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

If I was going PSA, I'd get one of their CHF barreled rifles/uppers from their premium line. [Wait till they go one sale around a holiday]. Also for range shooting or hunting I'd get a faster twit rate like 1:7 so it could do a better job stabilizing the heavier stuff.

 

[JMcBurn]

Also. Looking at ggk's parts list and that is a 15 in handgaurd. What do you guys recommend? I was thinking 12 in with 16 in barrel. But would i be better suited with a 15in with 18in barrel? Not like i am kicking in doors and need a short compact rig but i do like short and easy to handle

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

Personally I am just fan of the longer handguard to both cover the barrel farther and allow me to get a bipod as far forward as possible. I know some people have had really good luck with the PSA uppers. And that is a pretty good deal, could afford a drop in trigger for pretty close in cash to your original choices. Or you can just shoot it with the mil spec and get used to it.

The example parts I listed are exactly what I purchased and am more than happy with. I just replaced the trigger cause I got a Geissele Hi Speed National Match for Christmas from my GF.

 

[mi223]

So you run a 15 in handgaurd with 16 in barrel?

Oops just checked the link and its 20. What are some thoughts on barrel length. I was thinking 16

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[mi223]

There is so many options available... Anyone have preference of aero or psa. GGK's parts list looks pretty solid. But i do like that the psa is a pin together and shoot.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Like was said before, don't buy PSA unless you're getting something from their Premium line. I only found 1 upper recently that had those requirements in a 16" middy. Seems like they've discontinued some of that line. They do have incredible sales worth watching daily email.

Aero has quality stuff and use BA barrels. I'm not sure 1 moa is realistic with what I would consider bulk ammo.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

 

[JMcBurn]

There is so many options available... Anyone have preference of aero or psa. GGK's parts list looks pretty solid. But i do like that the psa is a pin together and shoot.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

Well that same place offers shorter barrels. If you buy a complete lower building an upper is incredibly easy on the aero M4E uppers (all you have to do it tighten the barrel nut and do some simple bolt together stuff)

With a slightly bigger budget you could buy a white oak barrel or other more guaranteed manufacturer

 

[mi223]

I have been looking a lot lately. And i am leaning towards a psa enhanced trigger moe lower and then an aero m4e upper. Little more than i planned to spend but i think i will be happy with it.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[Rerun7]

If you don't plan to build then I'd highly recommend a complete BCM upper and then put the lower together yourself so you can pick your trigger, etc.

Their ss410 barrels are sub moa with some load development and you can always swap it later if you want to make it even more accurate. It's pretty turn key.

 

[mi223]

Well i ordered a psa moe lower yesterday. It also jas their enhanced polished trigger. 160 with free shipping. I was hoping to get a matching upper and lower but this has the stock i want at the cheapest price i can find. Probably wait on an upper until fathers day or memorial day and try to get a deal on upper parts. Leaning towards copying GGK's parts list only with a 16 in barrel. Unless of course I find something else for a great price.

Psa has their Nickle boron bcg for 100 and free shipping right now. Thinking of getting one ordered as well

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[Bakwa]

Well i ordered a psa moe lower yesterday. It also jas their enhanced polished trigger. 160 with free shipping. I was hoping to get a matching upper and lower but this has the stock i want at the cheapest price i can find. Probably wait on an upper until fathers day or memorial day and try to get a deal on upper parts. Leaning towards copying GGK's parts list only with a 16 in barrel. Unless of course I find something else for a great price.

Psa has their Nickle boron bcg for 100 and free shipping right now. Thinking of getting one ordered as well

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

Their BCG's work well enough. Nothing fancy, but they work just fine.
There are plenty of good complete uppers out there that will fill you accuracy needs. BCM, PSA Premium line, Stag, Spikes, Colt, KAC, BRO, etc... Just depends on how much you want to spend. Conversely, there are a lot of budget uppers that would be super reliable, but may not be as accurate as you want them to be. Just some food for thought.