Best budget AR-15 upper receiver for target build?

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troy fairweather

troy fairweather

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I am starting to make a list for parts, like to do a target ar-15 build. Looking for the best upper receiver without going craxy, are there any common uppers used by the target/bench rest guys use.

I'd like to try out the 6mm arc when it comes out, or a 6.5 G

I'd guess a side charger is more ridged.
 
troy fairweather said:
I'd guess a side charger is more ridged.
Click to expand...

Side chargers are a cool idea, there is a fellow over on the M14 forum that builds them. They ARE proprietary, however, so you will lose some amount of build flexibility, at least as far as what they have available for upper receivers and BCG's. He also happens to be a big 6.8SPC guy, he and I have talked about that, too. As soon as you get outside the realm of 5.56mm, everything becomes very subjective.
 
Charlie98 said:
As soon as you get outside the realm of 5.56mm, everything becomes very expensive.
Click to expand...

Fixed it for you. :D

Without a fair amount of expense involved it may be hard to find what you’re after. I’m imagining an unthreaded configuration? Lots of bull barrels out there, some suspiciously cheap and not likely to produce eye catching results.

I’ve been mulling over the same idea, a rig that tests my skills but haven’t committed to funding something I reeeely don’t need.
 
I recently built an AR-15 using "HGH" parts entirely the upper (had a nice varmint type barrel) and the lower, cost me less than $300.00 total, I already had the 6 position stock which I believe came from a Bushmaster, along with the Timney trigger, the buffer spring, etc. this rifle will place all 5 rounds in a one hole group at 100 yards, and place a complete magazine of 20 rounds within MOA. BTW the barrel is 1/7 twist, and you have the option of 1/8, 1/9. Using the 75grn Sierra HP/BT. Out to 500 yards, which is the farthest I've shot it, it will produce 5 round groups within 3". That is my choice of quality inexpensive parts, and I'm quite sure they carry the .308, as well as the 6.5. I know right now they are swamped because of the Virus, but be patient and I'm sure they will help you out.
 
IMO, upper branding dosent matter. It only matters how straight everything is, and for the most part even the cheap ones are pretty consistent.
The better quality upper maybe more likely to have everything line up, but Ive yet to have even a cheap upper not produce good results when used with a good barrel and bolt....BC dosent really matter to me either, tho I do like the way the NiBs and TiN looks.

again that my opinion, but it allows me to spend a little more on a bolt and barrel.

My experience with building ARs for pure accuracy is very limited tho. Only one I really built was my old heavy Grendel.
 
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I am really still on the fence of what I want and need. If like a nice long and heavy target rig, the 24" would be nice for the few extra fps . Then there's the me that wants something for hunting, 18-20 barrels are easier to find and lighter, plus I don't have the range to shoot very far. For 1-300 yards a 223 would be much better for punching paper.

Who knows it could turn into a 16" light weight build, read some guys are thinking the 6 arc. May not come out until 2021,
 
troy fairweather said:
If like a nice long and heavy target rig, the 24" would be nice for the few extra fps .
Click to expand...

I've often wondered if there is any advantage to the 24" barrel vs a standard 20" barrel in .223? Certainly there is some, but at the cost of weight and convenience?

I carried a standard M16A1 in the Army... 20" barrel, and I have a Colt H-Bar now. After shooting my 16" AR's, the H-Bar feels like a boat oar! ...yes, it's only 4" of barrel, but....
 
I built a bench shooter AR for the purpose of 100 yd sub MOA shooting. I didn't get high end components and in the end, I accomplished just that.

I used a cheap Anderson "slick side" upper...back then it was $30, now it's $40. AIM doesn't currently have them in stock, but I'm sure they're available elsewhere.

https://aimsurplus.com/anderson-manufacturing-lightweight-sport-ar-upper-receiver/

It hasn't given me a single problem, it was cheap and works just fine.
 
Charlie98 said:
I've often wondered if there is any advantage to the 24" barrel vs a standard 20" barrel in .223? Certainly there is some, but at the cost of weight and convenience?

I carried a standard M16A1 in the Army... 20" barrel, and I have a Colt H-Bar now. After shooting my 16" AR's, the H-Bar feels like a boat oar! ...yes, it's only 4" of barrel, but....
Click to expand...
For this upper a 20" maybe better for 6.5g, does not look like the 6arc is coming out this year. I do want to build a heavy 24" 223 some time tho.
 
Typetwelve said:
I built a bench shooter AR for the purpose of 100 yd sub MOA shooting. I didn't get high end components and in the end, I accomplished just that.

I used a cheap Anderson "slick side" upper...back then it was $30, now it's $40. AIM doesn't currently have them in stock, but I'm sure they're available elsewhere.

https://aimsurplus.com/anderson-manufacturing-lightweight-sport-ar-upper-receiver/

It hasn't given me a single problem, it was cheap and works just fine.
Click to expand...
I seen a few places have the slick side for $47ish. Don't know if there any stuffed then a forward asst upper but you do save 10-15 bucks on parts.
 
js8588 said:
Yeah, but 3 handguards are going to result in spending a good bit more $ on new builds. That's why you're getting em.
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Haha ya, be interesting what upper they turn into. Should be nice tho from what the handguards look like, depending better then what I got now. I really am thinking a 16-18" could cover a lot and even get more use them my 16" hbar 223W.
 
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