AR-15 for competition

[bennadatto]

Evening all!

I am looking at picking up an ar-15 for use in high power competition. I have narrowed my choice down to a RR National Match AR, but I do have a couple questions (first ar style rifle, so I'm in uncharted territory here).

A bunch of the high power guys swear by whiteoakprecision.com for their match grade uppers. Are these uppers really that much better than what comes in the RR box?

Also, this is a general ar question...if I bought the RR National Match lower and an upper from whiteoakprecision, would I need to buy anything else to end up with a complete rifle?

Thanks in advance, and please forgive my noob questions!

 

[cavman]

That is what I did. RRA lower, and WOA upper. John at WOA also sold me the parts kits, all the bits to put them together.

I don't know enough to answer if it is better then the RRA or not.

 

[taliv]

i used a RRA NM. Fine gun. Once I shot the barrel out, I had WOA rebarrel it with one of their house barrels and pin the rear sight.

no complaints with any of it and it never held me back

that said, there are plenty of other companies that make good HP/CMP service rifle guns. Compass Lake and DPMS, etc


assuming you are on a budget and don't have unlimited funds...
I'd skip upgrading the rifle and instead spend that money on a good shooting jacket and sling. also a spotting scope. and more ammo. and match fees. and gas to camp perry and the SAFS.

 

[chrome_austex]

Taliv almost nailed it...

But since the prices are so close (is the white oak upper even cheaper?) then the RRA match lower (nicest trigger I own on any gun...) with a white oak upper does sound pretty good.

RRA will sell you a NM gun with a detachable carry handle that is good to go in service rifle, correct? The A4 railed upper w/ detachable handle removed becomes a fun platform for all sorts of other interesting toys (red dots, full scopes, etc).

 

[bennadatto]

Taliv,

I am seriously considering the SAFS in Camp Perry this summer. Do you know if there is any sort of shuttle that runs from the Cleveland airport to the base? I'd be flying in so flight + rental car = too much $$$ to justify spending with the wife.

Thanks all for your responses. So if I'm reading correctly, if you buy a lower separate from the upper, you will need to purchase as parts kit to get the two pieces to fit together?

Thanks!

 

[taliv]

dunno, bennadatto, but I'm sure there's some option. I always drove. flying with the gun isn't a big deal, but with the range cart, spotting scope and stand, and all the other crap, it was always too much to carry on a plane.

also, i could be wrong, but i think SAFS sells out usually and might be already by this time of year (It did the year i went). Howard or Jon might have better advice, but you should probably sign up soon if you still can.

 

[cavman]

you will need parts.

The RRA lower is just the receiver. The upper is the complete upper.

You still need the pins and stuff like that, and also the buttstock and grip (That is the parts kit)

You will also need the trigger, either the RRA or a Geissle.

So I got the RRA lower, and WOA sold me the upper, the parts kit, and the trigger to me.

I put it together one evening in about three hours as a first timer.

 

[P-32]

ou will need parts.

The RRA lower is just the receiver. The upper is the complete upper.

You still need the pins and stuff like that, and also the buttstock and grip (That is the parts kit)

You will also need the trigger, either the RRA or a Geissle.


So I got the RRA lower, and WOA sold me the upper, the parts kit, and the trigger to me.

I put it together one evening in about three hours as a first timer.

http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/triggers.htm

I bought a Geissle after having 2 RRA 2 stage triggers tuned by John at WOP. Glad I did.

I have2 WOP uppers on RRA lowers. The RRA NM is a fine match rifle, but won't hold a candle to my Kreiger WOP IMHO. You just can't go wrong using a RRA lower with a WOP/WOA upper. I like the pinned sights WOA/WOP offers.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

I have a BushMaster lower with a WhiteOak upper but I started with a Bushmaster and over the years I've swapped parts and stuff so I didn't buy these units from the start. Actually it has a RRA tube and trigger on it.

If you are not sure, I'd recommend the RRA NM rifle complete for an out of the box package. The RRA and the WO are both great guns and both will put you in the grand master category if you do your part. Also, RRA gaurentees 1/2 MOA accuracy out of the box. If you do get the WO upper you can get a lower that already has already has the trigger and stock and everything, you'll just need to put the 2 assumblies together, no big deal at all.

The reason people like WO is because the products are great but also the price point is a little below most of the competitors. If you bought the same quality upper from Noveske the upper alone would cost you 1200.00.

I wouldn't sweat it. Honestly you already decieded you want a NM rifle and you picked 2 of the best choices. You can't go wrong with either.

 

[MistWolf]

You can also check with these guys for more information & advice about National Match competition http://www.usrifleteams.com/forums/

White Oak is well respected on the Forum

 

[P-32]

Nobody I know uses a Noveske upper for high power


both great guns and both will put you in the grand master category if you do your part.LovesBeer, Grand Master? Try High Master.

Noveske the upper alone would cost you 1200.00.

I do know a couple guys who got the RRA NM and one made Master is pretty short order. If you price out a RRA NM and then price out the cost of a RRA lower with a WOP or WOA upper, I would take the WOP for a little more $. I like the pinned rear sight and the 1/4 MOA sights WOP offers.

Lets not forget Compass Lake also builds on heck of a Nm or DCM rifle.

 

[taliv]

RRA comes with 1/4 click sights too

 

[P-32]

Taliv................Rrright..........but the RRA doesn't come with changeable Apertures.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

P-32 - The 10 ring on a NRA HP target is 2 moa at any distance (I'm pretty sure about this but If I'm wrong please correct me.) If your gun and ammo shoot 1/2 moa the only limit to grand master is the nut behind the gun.

No?

 

[taliv]

i think you mean "High Master" ... grand master is IPSC and the KKK i think

i think the reason people don't use noveske is because they're not known for "service rifle"-legal A2 uppers

 

[Lovesbeer99]

Ok I'm offically freaked out from the last post. Yes I double checked my NRA book and I was wrong (I hope my wife doesn't read this) and the correct term I was thinking of was 'High Master'. Thanks for the correction. But I don't think you disagreed with me. Both the RRA and the WhiteOak with the right ammo can put any shooter with the skills in HighMaster.

I like the RRA products and if you want a complete gun out of the box and for the price the RRA is a great selection. It might not have all of the top of the line upgrades, but hey, they are upgrades the shooter can add as he/she progresses and learns.

 

[P-32]

P-32 - The 10 ring on a NRA HP target is 2 moa at any distance (I'm pretty sure about this but If I'm wrong please correct me.) If your gun and ammo shoot 1/2 moa the only limit to high master is the nut behind the gun.

Right, but why limit yourself? My WOP upper can use the 1/4 Moa sights. Using 1/2 MOA sights at 200 move the impact about one inch. aybe don't want to move the impact an inch. If I do then I add 2 clicks vice one, BFD. You 1/2 MOA sight at 600 is 3 inches per click. aybe I'm not brave enough to go 3 inches but will go 1 1/2 inches. I made expert with a 1/2 moa M-14 about 20 years ago with no problem. I should practice like I did when I shot the M-14 and work on making High Master.