Redoing my AR and am contemplating building a whole new upper or buying a built one. Primarily all be used for coyote hunting and the occasional shoot. Had a .223 Wylde upper for the apparent "flexibility" and was not to well versed in .223 vs 5.56 at the time. Debating the same chambering or possibly going to a .224 Valkyrie but am very apprehensive of that chambering. If I built the upper, looking at a Rosco 18" or similar Faxon but am open to others (had a green mountain barrel on my previous upper). Am not opposed to buying a PSA because of the price point but, and this is a big but, my concern is I am going to spend the same as a "premium" upper as I would buying a cheaper upper and swapping out for better parts. Thanks!
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AR15 Upper Build or Buy?
- Thread starter HY3NA47
- Start date
Build the upper virtually before you buy anything. What barrel? What handguard? Bolt and Carrier? Forged or billet upper? Forward assist, dust cover, brass deflector? Which charging handle? Adjustable gas block? Which one? Do you have the tools to build an upper? Torque wrench, various punches, armorers' tool, receiver vice block or "reaction rod?" Are you going to true the receiver face? At home or send it out?
I haven't found an upper yet that was built like I wanted it. It only takes changing one or 2 parts before you're money ahead building vs buying. (Consider that changing the charging handle could easily set you back >$50, and your off-the-shelf deal, isn't.) If you don't have the tools, consider that you will probably want another upper at some point. Amortizing the cost of the tools over a couple of builds will put you money ahead again.
But, if; you don't have the tools, only will ever buy one upper, will never shoot out or otherwise need/want to replace the barrel, and find exactly what you desire, buying an assembled upper is a good option.
I haven't found an upper yet that was built like I wanted it. It only takes changing one or 2 parts before you're money ahead building vs buying. (Consider that changing the charging handle could easily set you back >$50, and your off-the-shelf deal, isn't.) If you don't have the tools, consider that you will probably want another upper at some point. Amortizing the cost of the tools over a couple of builds will put you money ahead again.
But, if; you don't have the tools, only will ever buy one upper, will never shoot out or otherwise need/want to replace the barrel, and find exactly what you desire, buying an assembled upper is a good option.
I would also reiterate the idea that if you can find exactly and I mean exactly what you want. Then go ahead and buy it. But like already stated. If you are going to immediately start swapping parts then shop around for deals and coupons and build exactly what you want.
Being perfectly honest... I got rid of my last .223 Wylde upper because I was honest bored with it and want something more capable at range. My ar is my go to coyote rifle and what it will mainly be, but I do like to stretch the legs of all my rifles.
I'm liking 224 valkyrie, but I've never had a grendel so i can't comment on them. I switched my spr from an 18" 223 wylde to an 18" valkyrie. The valkyrie is a noticeable step up in performance. I shoot by myself a lot, and with the 223 at 600+ yards, it starts getting hard to hear and see on steel. The valkyrie definitely hits a little harder at distance and it makes spotting for myself a lot easier. From an 18" barrel, I'd say 223 is a good 600 yard gun that can stretch to 800, and 224 valkyrie is a good 800 yard gun that can stretch to 1000.
I traded my 6.5 Grendel upper for a bolt 308, I still have a 224 Valkyrie ar upper and just after last season finished building a 17 Remington ar upper for coyotes. I also just received a .20 practical ar barrel. Are you shooting coyotes for fur or sport? If fur you want to consider a .17 or .20 and make your shots count. If your just for sport then I’d go with .224 valk. I’d only go Grendel if you plan on taking any shot that presents itself.
