20" upper for AR

[Sky]

20" Inch Custom Upper

DTI 20" 1x9 heavy barrel
Standard Bolt and Carrier
Yankee Hill Machine Light Weight Free float Four rail hand guard
Yankee Hill Flip up front sight gas block
A2 flash hider
Flat top upper
charging handle

$568.00

Thinking about getting this upper.....

Can buy the upper for $395 everything else adds the extra bucks. With this upper and two other add-ons (different charging handle and rear Buis) the price will probably come close to $700 complete. They will install and ship the completed unit plus test fire. SOP for them.

This is a 20" and was kinda thinking a 22" might be better for over 300 yard shooting?

It is for mounting on my Bushmaster lower when the night scoped upper is removed or just mounted on the Del-Ton carry handle lower when I expect to do longer distance shooting. Or is this just a waste due to black rifle fever?

I think 21.6 or .8" is optimum for the 5.56 barrel length?

There are many offerings for all kinds of prices. Del-Ton and CMMG have been good to me and the Bushmaster opinion is still out....Have not shot it enough to feel one way or the other but expect it will suffice for my plinking and hunting.

All my ARs are 16" or less and was just thinking about a 5.56 with 22" upper?

Advantages, disadvantages, or should I just change calibers? Yes I know a standard AR should have no problem at 400 yards. I just want to "not bloody" but kill hogs at that range without the bullet dropping close to 26" at 400 or 11" at 300 yards?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9aA67Wi7TM

Good comparison by Nutnfancy on 5.56 and 7.62x39

 

[Zanad]

the 18-20" barrels seem to me like a compromise made on ballistics for a handy carbine and a longer(ish) shooting rifle. Since you seem to have the 16" carbine covered and you want to branch out and shoot longer distances without totally buying a new gun then go with the 22" barrel if you want to prairie hunting becasue of the better velocity of the cartridge.



on a side note: Do you reload by any chance?

 

[Sky]

No sir I do not reload but I have bought Russian! It's my poor attempt at humor.

 

[Skylerbone]

What bullet weight are you shooting? The 1:9 is great for 60gr. and under, if you want a heavier bullet a 1:7 might be better.

Do you need a flash hider?

Do you need a railed forearm or would a freefloat that accepts rail attachments (add a rail where needed) be acceptable?

What BUIS are you looking at? Would you use it or swap out another optic/upper instead?

What charging handle are you looking at? Is it a functional piece?

 

[Sky]

A2 flash hider
4 rail free float Yankee hill. Think their hand guard on this upper comes with a free float but I need to check because I did not ask; just gave them my requirements and they gave me the price.
Yankee Hill flip up front sight
SOG armory charging handle with tac latch
I have 3 aim 40l rear sights that work good for me but many do not like them or the company. May try something cheaper on this build.

 

[Skylerbone]

I'd recommend an RRA Varmint A4 upper in 20" with the chromed bolt carrier group (no charge upgrade right now) and the upgrade to a BCM Gunfighter/large latch for $25. That's $655 for a stainless steel air gauged bull barrel, free float alum. (tube style) hand guard, larger tactical charge handle and wylde chamber for .223/5.56 ammo. Those are the suggested prices, a local shop may give a nice discount.
http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=270

I would suggest A.R.M.S. 71L sights to save you money, $30/ea. at:
http://www.botachtactical.com/ar7171flsi.html but only if you feel they are worth it for a 300+yd. shot.

If you need to mount a light or other accessories, get a set of #22 throw lever scope rings and add an A.R.M.S. ring cap #22TRC and rail #22TRR or perhaps one of these:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=662670

 

[Skylerbone]

I might also add that while the above gear would work great in my opinion, better optics would gain you even more accuracy. At $700, there are a tremendous number of scopes available including caliber specific to spruce up what you already have.

Good luck either way.

 

[wnycollector]

I have a very similar DT upper. I would suggest that you consider a Government profile barrel for your upper. A 20" government profile barrel weights slightly less than a 16" HBAR. That weight savings makes a very big difference in balance/feel!

Here is the link to build your own DT 20" custom upper http://www.del-ton.com/Custom_Upper_p/cu102.htm


My upper is stock except for addition of a badger tac latch (since my rifle is scoped).

 

[Sky]

Thanks will check those out. Any and all ideas are appreciated.

 

[Sky]

Whew been on the web sights for the last two hours err 3!!

Would you guys think the 24" or 20" barrel or is there just not that much difference except for weight?

 

[Skylerbone]

http://www.holsters.com/closeouts/opticpromos/RR-CQLR.asp

Have a look and decide if this might be the ticket for your carbine upper. I have their 3-9 on my 30-06, my Rock River is topped with a Leupold Mark AR which uses a mildot and BDC dial.

 

[Sky]

Beautiful scope and dang they are proud of it!

 

[Sky]

OK last question?

For those who have shot the 24" barrel versus the 20" is it worth the extra 4 inches. Is the weight difference that great or accuracy?

 

[Sky]

Think I gonna order from Rock River Arms with the free chrome up graded bolt carrier on Monday. Just don't know if 20 or 24" upper?

 

[John Wayne]

The only 24" .223 rifle I have shot was a single-shot. The main difference I noticed is that it had a LOT less muzzle blast and percievable noise than the 16" barreled AR-15s I have fired.

Any AR with a 22-24" bbl. is pretty much going to be a bull-barreled rifle set up for long range/bench rest/varmint shooting. These rifles are going to be very accurate and won't heat up as fast, but aren't exactly maneuverable either. If all you want to do is punch paper with it at long range, go this route.

To me, the 20" is the best compromise bbl. length for someone who is only going to buy one rifle/upper. If you already have a 16" rifle though, you might want to get the other extreme and go with the 22/24" upper.

 

[MistWolf]

I have yet to find an AR barrel assembly that offers a 22" barrel as a standard length. The difference between the 20 & 24 inch barrels will be a matter of personal preference. If you're going to be using this rifle for long range shooting at varmints, get the 24" upper. I handled a 24" Bushy Varminter and I liked how it balanced and it's a light rifle for it's class. You can save yourself some money & weight by not getting a four rail handguard. Do you really need all that "rail" estate? (Even if you don't need it & simply want that type of rail, go for it!)

How much is that Varminter upper? You can get a complete 20" LaRue Stealth upper for around $1100. It has top shelf BCG and a LW50 SS ion black coated barrel, Wylde chamber polygonal rifling and a rifle length railed handguard. They shoot tight little groups.

As far as twist rates go, a 20" barrel with a 1:9 will handle up to 70 gr bullets due to it's increased muzzle velocity. Many 1:9 carbine barrels are fine with 70 gr bullets. Each barrel is a law unto itself. You won't know for sure what it likes to shoot until you shoot it

 

[Sky]

The complete 24" Rock River with free upgraded chrome bolt carrier is $640. Best deal I have found.

I was gonna get the Del-Ton until Skylerbone mentioned this upper. I do not need the quad rails the Rock River comes with the RRA aluminum free float tube. But I might get a different rail for bi-pod and or other attachment. Dunno yet still formulating my plan.

 

[MistWolf]

$640 isn't a bad price. Make sure the bolt carrier has a firing pin shroud and is a full circle design. For myself, the barrel is a bit heavy on the RRA.

For some reason, Dopey Me thought you were looking at Bushmaster uppers. They weigh less

 

[Sky]

MistWolf my feelings exactly!