Poor-arue .223: Yall ever buy parts that turn into rifles?

[estre]

This will be the running story of an attempt at building a budget ~600 meter .223 on beer-influenced "sale" prices.

Why does a rifle come into this world from one part?

I'm new to trying to build for "precision." As I get older I realize I'm not as spry as I used to be on close range rifle work and uncle sugar ain't paying the ammo bill anymore...time to pivot skill sets.





Parts list:

---Upper

- Larue 20 inch A3 (rifle barrel extension) 1/8 stealth barrel ($135 shipped) *** this is what fueled all of this ***

- Unknown no M4 feed ramp upper left over from around 2009-2010, has a key mark (laying around)

- JP clamp on adjustable gas block (laying around)

- Aero BCG, bought used "NIB" ($80)

- MI rail ($160)

- YHM kurz QD barky boi brake cause I don't like neighbors at the range ($71)

- loctite 609 ($9)

- wheeler upper receiver true..er thing (amazon gift card so free)

- anti seize (laying around and fuck it's still everywhere)

- Rifle gas tube (laying around)

- SWFA 10x SS (bought used for $200 around 2019)

- Vortex SPR mount (I legitimately do not know / remember where this came from but I don't remember buying it so we're calling it free)

- charging handle (laying around)



---Lower

- Larue Ar-15 lower ($135 + $15 FFL transfer fee)

- A2 stock complete with spraaaang, buffer etc (laying around)

- A2 grip; I actually had to buy this. Hate me if you must, but A2 grips are tits ($7.99)

- Larue MBT trigger on dumb sale though I don't really like the straight trigger ($60)

Total-ish $900

Build Process:

All parts were de-greased with brake cleaner prior to install*

Started with the wheeler upper action lapping tool. Pretty straight forward; get a nice even ring of silver around the mating surface of the barrel shoulder.

and then ...

go / no-go tested the bolt

and then ...

Mounted the upper and the barrel in the internal action block (looks like the wheeler delta). Applied anti-seize grease on the upper threads and loctite 609 on the barrel exention to torque the MI barrel nut to 40 ft/lbs 3x times (loosening and tightening) before hitting the clicker twice on the respective 4th and 5th times. Took it off the action block and let it rest upside down to set for a few hours.

and then ...

Installed the gas tube in the JP gas block and mounted it to the barrel. Made sure the gas tube didn't contact the upper receiver, used a feeler gauge with .025 for the offset per the jp instructions, torqued the four bolts to 20 inch/lbs. The adjustable gas block is tuned all the way down with one full roation out. I know I will have to mess with this when I start zero'ing. I've never had an adjustable gas block but the instuctions and the corresponding tools are stuffed in the A2 buttstock so even I can't fuck this next range trip up.

and then ...

Cranked the MI handguard retention bolts to 40 in/lbs. Not rocket science.

and then ...

Installed the budget boy 10x SS with the vortex mount to 20 in/lbs. Still level, no need to re-level the optic.



Ammo:

I'll be sending some 55, 62, 69, 75, 77 grain factory ammo but more interested if my pet load will shoot.

Pet load (avg 1.1 -ish MOA):

HNDY 75gr HPBT

LC mixed HS

24.1 gr TAC

Win #41 5.56 primers

Mag seating depth



Also going to try what I have on hand for a "heavy" .223 load: Acc 2495, VV N140, Varget, Benchmark





Feedback for build / other tips appreciated



ETA: I'm going to try to only respond in this thread after couple of beers to keep the spirit of the build alive.

 

[estre]

Range trip reserved

 

[estre]

Fur box photos reserved

 

[MO Fugga]

Well, kinda. I have 2 blackout pistols, first one, built a PSA lower, and bought a complete PSA upper. A couple of years later, saw a cool Spike's upper and lower and decided to build out a complete pistol with better parts and more experience. I'm happy with it, but I want a 6" 1:5 twist now.

 

[Downtown]

I once built an AR around a Seekins Precision bolt catch I bought on a whim. Yes, I realize I should probably get help.

 

[Blaster7Romeo]

This is my new favorite thread lol

 

[rdinak]

Amazing how spare parts grow into new rifles.

 

[J-Fonz]

I picked up a 16" and 14.5" on that ridiculous deal. I'm hoping they don't turn into new rifles.

 

[CheapBasterd]

You mean you’ve never built an AR because you had a gas tube laying around?

 

[TonyTheTiger]

I've attended matches where upon check-in every shooter gets a shirt and a goodie bag. My wife has audibly sighed when I've pulled a mag release button or grip out of said bag.

 

[roostercogburn98]

- Larue 20 inch A3 (rifle barrel extension) 1/8 stealth barrel ($135 shipped) *** this is what fueled all of this ***

- Unknown no M4 feed ramp upper left over from around 2009-2010, has a key mark (laying around)

These two statements confuse me

 

[Trigger Monkey]

I understood what he was saying. I think LaRue used rifle extensions on a lot of his barrels, maybe all, not extensions with M4 feed ramps so the receiver would need to be set up that way too. They're not as common now I think but you could get flat top uppers with or without the notches for the feed ramps.

 

[JS/]

Strange...I had an A5 receiver extension with spring and heavy buffer just laying around. Every time I looked at it throughout the winter it had somehow gained a part. By spring it had morphed into a 16 inch carbine with White Oak barrel, Aero M4 enhanced upper and matching handguard. The white oak barrel and Aero upper mated so superbly that I thought it had been dropped from heaven.

 

[estre]

Celebrating surviving another day of work moving 1's and 0's with a few ranch waters. The real ones, not that bullshit in the can.

I picked up a 16" and 14.5" on that ridiculous deal. I'm hoping they don't turn into new rifles.

Those barrels were a steal. I'm happy to see you also had zero plan when adding them to the cart, waiting 15 minutes, then buying them.

I understood what he was saying. I think LaRue used rifle extensions on a lot of his barrels, maybe all, not extensions with M4 feed ramps so the receiver would need to be set up that way too. They're not as common now I think but you could get flat top uppers with or without the notches for the feed ramps.

View attachment 8408910

Thanks for that post @Trigger Monkey ; exactly explains it. ITT we're in the II quadrant (top left). There will be a market for flat tops with no m4 cuts left over from that Larue sale from opticsplanet.



After the few ranch waters post work (made at home cause I'm cheap) my neighbor and I decided it was due time for a quick accuracy test. Damn this thing is showing potential. Threw on the turbo k I had laying on the workbench (next to all the anti seize fucking everywhere), picked the smallest piece of mulch in the flower bed, ranged it with my vortex range finder around 6 - 6.1 inches from muzzle, dialed for elevation, dialed back parallax to reading glasses setting, and smoked it first round down range. Terminal performance of the sub load using 7.1 grains of titegroup and a berry's 62 grain projo was so impressive that I couldn't even find the target afterward. These subs were developed for an 11.5 SBR and the rifle gas system + choked gas system made it stupid quiet.

Real plans time: Trying to find a couple hour block in the next few weeks I can get out to the 100y range and actually get some groups. Will not be shooting suppressed in order to get it tuned for just the brake. I haven't decided what can will be dedicated to this one.

 

[6.5SH]

Those barrels were a steal. I'm happy to see you also had zero plan when adding them to the cart, waiting 15 minutes, then buying them.



Thanks for that post @Trigger Monkey ; exactly explains it. ITT we're in the II quadrant (top left). There will be a market for flat tops with no m4 cuts left over from that Larue sale from opticsplanet.

Larue used to sell them as LT-007 and as an assembled upper; LT-101 with their quad hand guard. They did offer the Stealth barrels in both rifle and M4 feed ramp configs. These blow out prices are likely left overs from those. IIRC when the "Stealth 2.0/Ultimate Upper" came out those were all M4 cut and what they seem to have standardized on. Even their current barrel page has contradictory text saying all barrels are available in A3 rifle or M4 carbine cut, yet you can only select M4 to order.

 

[Blaster7Romeo]

where are these " blow out prices " on LaRue barrles? I am in the market for a 16inch


ETA : optics planet.. found it

 

[91Eunozs]

Hey look! A spare roll pin…damn, now I have to build another rifle around it.

yeppers…those dang ARs are like tribbles in the safe.

And yeah, I actually this entire upper around the Reptilia scope mount that I bought on a whim because I like the shade of gold/tan/FDE anodizing.

 

[6.5SH]

where are these " blow out prices " on LaRue barrles? I am in the market for a 16inch

LaRue Tactical Rifle Barrels for Sale Up to 62% Off — 4 products / 7 models

SAVE on our line of LaRue Tactical Rifle Barrels at OpticsPlanet. Low Prices on LaRue Tactical Rifle Barrels + Free Shipping on orders over $49!

www.opticsplanet.com

 

[estre]

Crawfish boil so there's been some day drinking happening. Continuing the spirit of parts that turned in to rifles here's nanners. Nanners started out from a 3x Primary Arms Prism I won at a raffle for $20 in tickets.
Ended being built from a promise from a buddy that if I built a banana gun he would give me a chikilla banana magazine. It's one of my favorite 'what ever' pig guns / loaner with a pvs-14.
I don't remember all that I put into it (what I had laying around), but it's probably something like BA barrel, magpul fixed stock, some rando forend, yhm kurz flash hider, tool craft bolt. larue trigger (again $60 on sale).

 

[lash]

Great thread. I currently have three that started as parts I couldn’t pass up. All Frankenguns that shoot really well. I once bought a 350 Legend barrel on a whim. It now sets with a bunch of parts that will hopefully be a fun hunting rifle.

I’m a bit worried that if I put it all together, I’m going to have a few extra parts still on the bench though…

 

[357Max]

 

[357Max]

You assholes!!!!

I already know the rifle length gas is a typo. It's mid length, but 8T is interesting for subs suppressed. Hopefully it'll shoot supers decent also.
Cant find shit for info on this barrel, but for that price I'm be the Huckleberry.

And you know why I did that, cause I happen to have a Aero M5 upper and a Centurion 14" CMR laying around.

@bigjake83 - Any insight on these Larue large frame fast twist SS stealth barrels????

 

[CaptNemo]

"On the grounds that any answer I might give could be used to incriminate me, I choose to invoke my right to remain silent under the 5th Amendment."

 

[Mike_in_FL]

The biggest lie I ever told myself was that I was just going to build a bunch of uppers.

 

[RTH1800]

Once I bought a really cool big bore rifle and went on a safari and a Brown Bear hunt. Does that count?

 

[357Max]

illegitimate child spawned from this thread is complete.

Poor-arue 16" 8T Stealth 308. That barrel deal morphed into this. Law folder, LW carrier, Rubber City bolt/pin, Stag receiver set, National match trigger, yada yada yada.

Hope it shoots

 

[oldrifleman]

illegitimate child spawned from this thread is complete.

Poor-arue 16" 8T Stealth 308. That barrel deal morphed into this. Law folder, LW carrier, Rubber City bolt/pin, Stag receiver set, National match trigger, yada yada yada.

Hope it shoots


View attachment 8430881

Yeah since your wife is going to kill you for letting the spikes dig into her dining room table I do think that surplus parts breed more parts and scream to be allowed to co-exist as a whole rifle.

 

[357Max]

Yeah since your wife is going to kill you for letting the spikes dig into her dining room table I do think that surplus parts breed more parts and scream to be allowed to co-exist as a whole rifle.

She was asleep when I finished it & took the pic