Help me build a Target AR!

[baddarryl]

Hi all. I want to build a 20 inch rifle for punching paper out to 600 using 5.56/.223. I am settled on that caliber as I have tons of brass for it and am just getting into longer range shooting before moving up.

What I want to do is build a rifle that is better than what I can buy for the same $$. I want a flat top upper for a scope. 20 inch to take advantage of that round I will spend money where it really matters on the trigger, 1:7 twist barrel, bolt etc, but not where it is really not needed. No need to go crazy as I am not a bling sort of guy.

Thank you!

[stagpanther]

Although it's fairly new--I'd take a look at Nosler's 22 from a good barrel maker.

[ligonierbill]

There are plenty of books out there, but I recommend The Competitive AR15 Builders Guide by Glen Zediker. I've only put together one, for varmints, not an ultimate rifle, but it was helpful to me.

[ed308]

Spend money on a quality .223 Wylde barrel, trigger and glass. Go with a free float handguard and make sure you lap the upper receiver before installing the barrel. I like AR15 Performance barrels. They group .5" MOA with the heavy HPBT bullets 68 grs and up. For triggers, LaRue's 2 stage MBT is hard to beat at $125.

[baddarryl]

For triggers, LaRue's 2 stage MBT is hard to beat at $125.

I have one of those in a Del Ton and you are dead on about that.

[gshayd]

I would 2nd lapping the receiver. If you are going to punch paper for group size a good trigger is a must. I would spend money on a better barrel.

[rickyrick]

Lapping is fairly easy and quick on the AR.

[bedlamite]

http://ar15performance.com/inc/sdetail/38007/12239
http://www.graniteridgeoutfitters.co...10001-MLOK.htm
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...prod40120.aspx

[Chainsaw.]

Good barrel from white oak, good trigger (CMC drop in) and good glass and you are off to the races.

[Art Eatman]

Back twenty years ago I messed around with a Bushmaster Match Target. It was truly a "half-MOA, all day" shooter. The key seemed to be the free-floated heavy barrel. However, it weighed 9.5 pounds with mag and scope.

[Model12Win]

I can highly recommend the "red box" Black Hills 77 gr. pills. They are what the operators in Afghan have been using to eliminate tangos with extreme prejudice downrange in the sandbox. It is a heavier pill than the normal 5.56 and reaches further.

[bfoosh006]

I gotta say... by the time you buy all the needed parts... you might be better off with a factory pre-assembled upper.

Something like this has all the makings of a solid 20" match upper.

Good barrel, good chamber, good twist, FF tubed, good brake, if it came with a charging handle and BCG... I would say it is an outstanding deal.

https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/category-s/389.htm


That said... and if you want to still build your own....I recommend you buy the best barrel you can afford, lap the receiver face, followed by a LaRue $99 trigger ( They go on sale ) and a variety of "known" accuracy ammo.

IE, Austrlian Outback 55gr BlitzKing, 69gr SMK, Fed. 50gr Tipped Varmint, various 77gr SMK, ...and try some MEN 56gr FMJ, and GECO 55gr FMJ for 100-200yd practice.

I suggest you use a good, solid bag to do any accuracy testing...using a good bag for the accuracy testing of various rounds will help, dramatically, show if your rifle likes or dislikes a specific brand of ammo... after you have found a round your rifle likes, then you can rest assured , any snafu's are from you and not the ammo .......
The best I have seen out there is the "Dog Gone Good" bags... that thing will lock your rifle in place.. completely.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...shooting-bags/

For years I used a inexpensive scope out to 500yds... it finally developed a VERY slight movement in the reticle... so don't think you have to buy the most expensive scope up front...

[bacardisteve]

I would look into a pre assembled upper that fits your criteria. Compass lake can build you a 20" upper with a Kreiger barrel matched bolt and free float handguard for about $900. White oak uppers are also very good. I have a compass lake build and even on my worst day I maintain half moa.

[turtlehead]

http://www.larue.com/barrels?sort=popular

Pretty good deal on the Stealth. MBT trigger for $99 also offered in the package.

[BWM]

At the cost to day you can by them for about what it cost to build one time you figure cost of shipping. I jest did 2 builds and I could had saved about 100.00 on each gun and would had a warranty. My first new one was a Windham VEX-SS standard model 925.00 my next one was a Arma Lite 15A4B 900.00 my next one was Arma Lite M-15 TBM 950.00 with a wylde barrel all three are .5 MOA I have put Timney in 2 and put Velocity in 2 There is 2 3lb and 2 31/2 lb I like the Velocity as good as the Timney,s

[damienph]

Mine isn't built from parts but is a factory 24" DPMS stainless heavy barrel. The model is DPMS Bull 24. The only change that I made was to install an RRA 2 stage trigger. It is a fantastic prairie dog gun. I can usually consistently hit up to 400 yards, beyond that, I do believe that the rifle is capable, it's just that the scope and I are not.

I believe that most barrels will give you the accuracy that you want, the more importance elements are a quality trigger and a good scope.

[Nathan]

Look at the Compass Lake Engineering website. They have very nice custom built uppers with super high quality barrels!