Need advice on a build.

[libertyman777]

I'm thinking about building an AR 223/5.56. I've done some lowers in the past and have the tools to do an upper. I'm just not sure that it's going to be cost effective compared to a kit.

I have a DPMS lower that was taken off another rifle There seems to be some slop in that when I tried to install a RRA two stage trigger in it, the pins seemed loose. I pulled it out and dropped the trigger in a RRA lower and they were nice and tight. But I think I can still use the lower. I put a Timney drop in trigger in a rifle for a buddy and there were set screws in the bottom of the unit that applied pressure against the pins, this should work with this lower.

I've got about $650-$850 to work with if I don't have to buy another lower. I need the rifle to shoot a solid .75 MOA. Also, this will be a hunting rifle Hogs, coyotes and deer.

Barrel length is not critical but I'd like to stay in the 16" to 18" area. Certainly not interested in a 24" anything.

A simple Aluminum free float tube will suffice.

Front sight post is fine as is a picatinny gas block.

A2 stock is okay too (I actually prefer it).

I put a RRA two stage in my son's AR and I like it but the Timney was nice too. I just need clean and predictable, 3-5 pounds.

So, what to do. There are kits out there and they seem cost effective. But I'm wondering if I can do better by spending all I can on barrel and trigger.

Brave Company is listing flat top uppers for $99 assembled, $74 stripped blems. Free float tubes seem to be anywhere from $55 to $100. Butt stock kit $55 from Midway. The lower has all the internals except the trigger and pins. I also have a BCG but would like a new bolt. YHM has a rail extension for $40 that will allow me to use standard rings. Oh and I need a grip. I believe we're running either an Ergo or Hogue but whichever, I like it, $25

So far I'm in for $250 to $300.

So I need a barrel, appropriate gas block/sight, gas tube and pin a trigger. On the low end, I'll have $350 to spend, seems unrealistic. But at $550 I could probably have something nice. Subtract $175 for the Timney Trigger and I've got $375 for a barrel and bolt.

Feel free to make comments and suggestions. I'm sure I've left something out too.


Thanks,

Paul

 

[TonyAngel]

Re: Need advice on a build.

Paul, this was my latest build and it is a solid sub MOA shooter. I don't say that meaning that I've shot a couple of sub MOA groups with it. What I mean is that it will put ten rounds into 1" or less consistently with the right load. For me the right load is a combo of either a 69 or 77gr SMK over a charge of RL15 powder with a Remington benchrest primer.

I have, in the past, used several barrels that performed very well. Most notable among them was the Bravo Company SS410 16" barrel. The reason I say it was the most notable is because it was a short and lighter profile barrel that seemed to be almost immune to the effects of heat. With that barrel I put a single 20 round string into 1.2" with a smoking hot barrel (before I started the string). The bottom line is that there are many good barrels out there. For the build pictured, I went with an 18" barrel from Superior Barrels. It is a Douglas Match barrel that was profiled by Compass Lake and distributed by Superior Barrels after they applied their proprietary coating to the barrel, inside and out. The coating is tough and withstood several rakes across the finish with a pair of scissors. The upper and lower that I used are really unimportant, except to say that the fit and finish of the Vltor upper and Spike's lower are excellent. For the trigger, I went with a two stage Geissele SSA-E. It serves very well as a field precision trigger.

With this barrel and my standard load of 24.1gr of RL15 under a 77gr SMK, it clocks a solid 2650fps. Since the barrel has a rifle length gas system, it shoots very softly and follow up shots are fast.

I do have a few words of advise based only on my opinion. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the stuff from Bravo Company. I've used LOTS of it, but for a precision build, I'd go with something like a Daniel Defense upper. They cost a little more, but the examples I've worked with proved to be just a tad tighter in tolerances resulting in a better fit and I guess I'd say a more linear path of travel for the bolt carrier. The barrel to upper fit has also been good and tight with the upper always being square to the barrel extension. The last precision build that I tried to do with a BCM upper was a bit disappointing until I lapped the face of the upper square to the barrel extension (this is the build that put 20 rounds into 1.2"). Again, this was just my experience. Yours may differ.

I'd say that the two most important parts are going to be the barrel and trigger. Feed it right and it should do what you are looking for.

As for the free float tube, I used the Bushmaster V-Match tube, although I found it to be a bit thin. An alternative would be the Model 1 Sales tube. It goes for $40 and I found them to be a sturdy piece. They are thick enough to drill and tap to add sections of rail, if you need to.

On this particular build, I used a BCM bolt carrier that I had, but the bolt was a matched bolt that I got with the barrel from Superior Barrels. I really can't speak highly enough of the way the 18" with rifle length gas system shoots. I think the barrel and bolt was like $425 shipped.

The gas block that I used it just a generic set screw gas block. I think it's a Yankee Hill. When I get a chance, I think I'm going to go with a clamp on type of block. I think it will provide a better gas seal (not that I'm having problems) and will be stronger in case it takes a knock.

This rifle, as you see it, weighs right at 11lbs. I've had no problems humping it around.

My only regret with this build is that I'm starting to wish that I had put more magnification on it. Out to 300 yards or so it's really good at hitting really small stuff. I really can't comment on how well it shoots other than what I've already said because I'm not a good enough shooter to push the rifle with the little 10X on it. When my .308 goes to the smith to have the new barrel fitted, I might just drop my Nightforce 5.5-22X on it to see what it can really do.

Good luck with the build.

BTW, if $375 is your absolute cap for a barrel and bolt, you could do a lot worse than a Bravo Company SS410 barrel and BCM bolt. Like I said, mine performed very well. The only reason I tore it apart and built this one is because I got bored with it and wanted to try something new that would allow me a faster follow up shot and a bit more velocity. The 18" does that.

 

[libertyman777]

Re: Need advice on a build.

Thanks Tony. That's exactly the type of information I was looking for. There's not a lot of difference between $375 and $425. And that's a very good looking rifle BTW.

I forgot to mention that I have a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 MD to put on top. I was wondering if it was too much magnification but after your input I think it may be just right.

Paul