AR-15 18" SPR Recommendations

[Chuynh22]

Hello everyone,

I have been tasked by my brother in law, no kids and high paying job, to help him build an SPR.
I'm relatively new to the AR platform myself, just built mine last year. He has basically given me a budget of around 5K for an upper. The goal of this upper will be just target shooting at the range up to 500 yards

So far I've researched the barrel and will reach out to either White Oak or Compass Lake for an 18" 223 wylde (limited access to match grade ammo) but I am open to suggestions.

Upper receiver will most likely be a Vltor MUR

As far as optics I'm leaning towards the Razor but since he is new to shooting rifles I'm not sure if the reticle is too busy?

I am humbly asking for suggestions on how you would spend 5K.

thank you.

 

[S197]

For that kind of cash you can buy a bad ass factory built rifle that will deliver the same performance and hold its value.

SR-15 E3 LPR MOD 2 M-LOK - Knight's Armament

Knight’s SR-15 Light Precision Rifle Mod 2 is the answer for 5.56mm shooters who want a lightweight match weapon system.

www.knightarmco.com

 

[Molon]

Noveske 18” SPR Barrel Accuracy Evaluation

Noveske’s 18” SPR barrel is a stainless-steel barrel that has a medium contour and a 0.750” diameter gas block journal. The gas block journal for this barrel is designed for Noveske’s low profile gas block and the journal is only one inch in length; standard length gas blocks will not work with this barrel. Fortunately, Noveske’s pinned and set-screwed low profile gas block is included with the barrel (as well as an intermediate length gas tube.)

The Noveske SPR barrel employs an intermediate length gas system which eliminates the short-stroke issues that are sometimes encountered in cold weather with some 18” barrels that utilize a rifle length gas system. The barrel extension has “M4” feed-ramps. The barrel has a 1:7” twist rate and polygonal rifling (not a polygonal bore.)

The chamber found in this barrel is Noveske’s proprietary Noveske Match mod 0 chamber that “was developed to fire MK262 Mod 1 on AUTO in hot environments." I installed the SPR barrel in a Colt M4 upper receiver and free-floated the barrel with a LaRue Tactical 12” handguard.

I conducted an accuracy (technically, precision) evaluation of the Noveske 18” SPR barrel from my bench-rest set-up following my usual protocol. This accuracy evaluation used statistically significant shot-group sizes and every single shot in a fired group was included in the measurements. There was absolutely no use of any group reduction techniques (e.g. fliers, target movement, Butterfly Shots).

The shooting set-up will be described in detail below. As many of the significant variables as was practicable were controlled for. Pictures of shot-groups are posted for documentation.

All shooting was conducted from a concrete bench-rest from a distance of 100 yards (confirmed with a laser rangefinder.) The free-float hand-guard of the rifle rested in a Sinclair Windage Benchrest, while the stock of the rifle rested in a Protektor bunny-ear rear bag. Sighting was accomplished via a Leupold VARI-X III set at 25X magnification and adjusted to be parallax-free at 100 yards. A mirage shade was attached to the objective-bell of the scope. Wind conditions on the shooting range were continuously monitored using a Wind Probe. The set-up was very similar to that pictured below.

For this evaluation, I used one of my standard match-grade hand-loads topped with Sierra 55 grain BlitzKings. When fired from my Krieger barreled AR-15s, this load has produced ½ MOA 10-shot groups at 100 yards.

Three, 10-shot groups were fired in a row from the Noveske SPR barrel from a distance of 100 yards with the resulting extreme spreads:

0.812”
0.732”
0.873”

for an average 10-shot group extreme spread of 0.81”. The three, 10-shot groups were over-layed on each other using RSI Shooting Lab to form a 30-shot composite group. The mean radius of the 30-shot composite group was 0.28”

The 30-shot composite group . . .

N.B. - - This barrel was purchased prior to the untimely death of John Noveske.





….

 

[Trigger Monkey]

There's a ton of directions you can go with this upper build but the below should provide pretty consistent and acceptable results to 500 and beyond.

Vltor MUR Upper
BCM BCG
BCM Charging Handle
BCM MCMR - 13
Aluminum Rail Section
White Oak Armament 18" SPR Barrel ($$ - Solid reputation and performance, I've used three of them and recommend them)
Compass Lake 18" SPR barrel ($$$ - IMO simply a step above WOA, get a Bartlein, Douglass, or Krieger, 1:7 twist, Wylde Chamber and it'll shoot)
Low Pro Gas Block and SS Rifle Length Gas Tube (I have had good experiences with BCM and Aero Precision products, also unless shooting suppressed, an adjustable gas block isn't absolutely necessary in my experience, but it's your BIL's money )
Atlas CAL Gen 2 bipod

Optics wise there's a large spectrum to choose from that are within budget.

Vortex Gen III 1-10 in a Seekins/Vortex Mount (If he wants to pretend 3 gun on the weekends and shoot out to 500)
Nightforce 4-16 ATACR in NF Unimount (If he wants excellent optical and mechanical performance with not a lot left in the piggy bank after)
Burris XTRIII 3.3-18 in Badger Unimount (If he wants good optical and mechanical performance with more money left over for extras)

 

[Brandon05_88]

KAC LPR, CLE, and WOA are what I’ll echo. Another that you’ll find if you look hard enough is Keystone Accuracy.

I have one CLE upper, and I’m wanting another in the configuration you’re describing. Use the parts Trigger Monkey described. Don’t forget a solid trigger in the lower. I’m partial to Geissele SSA-E.

Coming from a fellow with no kids and a well paying job, do him a favor and get a NF 4-16x42 F1 in either a Unimount or Spuhr.

 

[FatBoy]

Shit, for that money you could build and scope two full rifles. My mk12mod0 “only”ran me maybe $3000 with the 2.5-10x24NXS and Full sized IPSC to 750y is pretty easy. 500 and in it’s silly accurate. Not bolt gun but close and that’s with the scope limitations. You’re in a great place with that budget.

Unless he’s set on 223, maybe look at the LaRue builder kit. They can be had for less than $2k. Add a Geissele trigger and a scope and you’re still under $4k and the damn things shoot. I’m not huge fan of the way the handguard connects but I cannot argue with its effectiveness.

 

[Chuynh22]

Noveske 18” SPR Barrel Accuracy Evaluation

Noveske’s 18” SPR barrel is a stainless-steel barrel that has a medium contour and a 0.750” diameter gas block journal. The gas block journal for this barrel is designed for Noveske’s low profile gas block and the journal is only one inch in length; standard length gas blocks will not work with this barrel. Fortunately, Noveske’s pinned and set-screwed low profile gas block is included with the barrel (as well as an intermediate length gas tube.)

The Noveske SPR barrel employs an intermediate length gas system which eliminates the short-stroke issues that are sometimes encountered in cold weather with some 18” barrels that utilize a rifle length gas system. The barrel extension has “M4” feed-ramps. The barrel has a 1:7” twist rate and polygonal rifling (not a polygonal bore.)

The chamber found in this barrel is Noveske’s proprietary Noveske Match mod 0 chamber that “was developed to fire MK262 Mod 1 on AUTO in hot environments." I installed the SPR barrel in a Colt M4 upper receiver and free-floated the barrel with a LaRue Tactical 12” handguard.

I conducted an accuracy (technically, precision) evaluation of the Noveske 18” SPR barrel from my bench-rest set-up following my usual protocol. This accuracy evaluation used statistically significant shot-group sizes and every single shot in a fired group was included in the measurements. There was absolutely no use of any group reduction techniques (e.g. fliers, target movement, Butterfly Shots).

The shooting set-up will be described in detail below. As many of the significant variables as was practicable were controlled for. Pictures of shot-groups are posted for documentation.

All shooting was conducted from a concrete bench-rest from a distance of 100 yards (confirmed with a laser rangefinder.) The free-float hand-guard of the rifle rested in a Sinclair Windage Benchrest, while the stock of the rifle rested in a Protektor bunny-ear rear bag. Sighting was accomplished via a Leupold VARI-X III set at 25X magnification and adjusted to be parallax-free at 100 yards. A mirage shade was attached to the objective-bell of the scope. Wind conditions on the shooting range were continuously monitored using a Wind Probe. The set-up was very similar to that pictured below.

For this evaluation, I used one of my standard match-grade hand-loads topped with Sierra 55 grain BlitzKings. When fired from my Krieger barreled AR-15s, this load has produced ½ MOA 10-shot groups at 100 yards.

Three, 10-shot groups were fired in a row from the Noveske SPR barrel from a distance of 100 yards with the resulting extreme spreads:

0.812”
0.732”
0.873”

for an average 10-shot group extreme spread of 0.81”. The three, 10-shot groups were over-layed on each other using RSI Shooting Lab to form a 30-shot composite group. The mean radius of the 30-shot composite group was 0.28”

The 30-shot composite group . . .

N.B. - - This barrel was purchased prior to the untimely death of John Noveske.





….

Thank you for this in-depth response!

 

[Chuynh22]

KAC LPR, CLE, and WOA are what I’ll echo. Another that you’ll find if you look hard enough is Keystone Accuracy.

I have one CLE upper, and I’m wanting another in the configuration you’re describing. Use the parts Trigger Monkey described. Don’t forget a solid trigger in the lower. I’m partial to Geissele SSA-E.

Coming from a fellow with no kids and a well paying job, do him a favor and get a NF 4-16x42 F1 in either a Unimount or Spuhr.

I've read into CLE and White Oak, do you
Mind if I ask what the CLE upper consists of? Does that mean CLE built the upper or just the barrel?
I've looked into higher end scopes but I honestly feel the higher magnified scoped wouldn't do well for a novice shooter like my Brother In Law...

 

[260shooter]

+1 on the Noveske SPR barrel and NF 4-16 Atacr. The SPR can make use of 16X.

 

[TxWelder35]

Some good 223 ammo instock right here. I’d probably grab some while you can

IMI Razor Core 5.56x45mm NATO Ammo 77 Grain Sierra MatchKing Jacketed

Established in 1933, IMI is a defense systems house specializing in the development, integration, manufacturing and life cycle support of modern land,...

www.midwayusa.com

Or if you want the really Gucci ammo you can get inline for some of this

Black Hills MK 262 MOD 1-C, MIL PACK | V1 Tactical

v1tactical.com

 

[Strykervet]

For that kind of cash you can buy a bad ass factory built rifle that will deliver the same performance and hold its value.

SR-15 E3 LPR MOD 2 M-LOK - Knight's Armament

Knight’s SR-15 Light Precision Rifle Mod 2 is the answer for 5.56mm shooters who want a lightweight match weapon system.

www.knightarmco.com

No shit, if you're as new at this as you say you are... Don't experiment with his $5k. OTH, he should be invested enough to figure some of this out himself so I guess he gets what he gets.

KAC or HK, your choice. But for that price you can get 7.62. Shit, for that price you can get a goddamn LMT M4 and an FN Mk20 and call it a day.

 

[Brandon05_88]

I've read into CLE and White Oak, do you
Mind if I ask what the CLE upper consists of? Does that mean CLE built the upper or just the barrel?
I've looked into higher end scopes but I honestly feel the higher magnified scoped wouldn't do well for a novice shooter like my Brother In Law...

BCM receiver, BCG, and CH/CLE 16” Douglas upper with a 13" KMR handguard. NF 4-16x42 F1 in a Spuhr. Geissele SSA-E. Magpul ACS-L stock.

The barrel is a Douglas spun up by CLE, with their chamber, which is a 16" recon mid-length 1:7" configuration. Only notable difference is 5/8-24 muzzle threads.

75/77 grain bullet is coming out at 2625-2650 fps. Plenty for 600 yards.

I had the NX8 1-8 on a different 16" upper, and it isn't conducive to precision. I originally went to the NF 2.5-10x42 on this rifle. It works, but the NF 4-16x42 is tits. I'm usually in the 12-14x range.

 

[Chuynh22]

For that kind of cash you can buy a bad ass factory built rifle that will deliver the same performance and hold its value.

SR-15 E3 LPR MOD 2 M-LOK - Knight's Armament

Knight’s SR-15 Light Precision Rifle Mod 2 is the answer for 5.56mm shooters who want a lightweight match weapon system.

www.knightarmco.com

Thank you for that recommendation! Unfortunately the SR15 lower is banned in CA, I'll be on the lookout for the upper though!

 

[TxWelder35]

Thank you for that recommendation! Unfortunately the SR15 lower is banned in CA, I'll be on the lookout for the upper though!

How about JP? They make a fine rifle also

 

[drewthebrave]

I'd look at ordering a complete rifle from Precision Reflex Inc or Compass Lake Engineering and spending the rest of the budget on a Nightforce or Vortex Razor Gen 3.

If he's not tied to the Mark 12 style SPR, I'd consider JP Rifles or a custom build from Craddock Precision.

 

[Bully]

I would lean heavily toward JPEnterprises. Rifles built as a system. If I ever grow up and start making money again (it's not looking good) I'd be looking at them to build something for me.

 

[S197]

No shit, if you're as new at this as you say you are... Don't experiment with his $5k. OTH, he should be invested enough to figure some of this out himself so I guess he gets what he gets.

KAC or HK, your choice. But for that price you can get 7.62. Shit, for that price you can get a goddamn LMT M4 and an FN Mk20 and call it a day.

Huh?

 

[shax2lex]

For that money, why waste the time. Go buy a JP rifle and be done with it. Then go buy some wicked scope.

 

[drewthebrave]

I am one by one changing AR scope mounts to AERO PRECISION.

Wrong thread? Since you brought it up, I wouldn't recommend this for any precision oriented use. Too many issues with wandering zero with mine. Issues went away when I switched to Warne, LaRue and ADM mounts. I still have one Aero on my lightweight build that's holding up well for mild range use.

 

[whawk]

My DD 18" gun is a laser beam.

 

[Chuynh22]

For that money, why waste the time. Go buy a JP rifle and be done with it. Then go buy some wicked scope.

I'm actually eyeing the JP 18" LRP07 or the SR15 LPR

 

[Criver600]

CLE upper with a Krieger or Bartlein, nothings going to outshoot that. Nightforce NX8

 

[shax2lex]

I'm actually eyeing the JP 18" LRP07 or the SR15 LPR

Just do that and you will come out so much better.

 

[TurboTrout]

JP - CTR-02™ Rifle and Upper Assemblies