Varminterror
Member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2016
- Messages
- 15,016
DB - It seems like you're really focused on matching up to service rifle competition rules - is that because you really want a clone, or because you want to buy a rifle and be able to compete with it without major modifications?
If the latter, then I'll provide a bit of an update to the rules, as I think it'll make your life a lot easier. The new rules are very different than they used to be. You don't need to build a mil-spec M16A2 clone for "Service Rifle competition" any more.
HOWEVER - for these rifles, you'll want a 1:7" twist, as many clubs REQUIRE 69grn+ bullets, and to be effective at the 600yrd line, you'll want to shoot heavier than 69's anyway. At LEAST a 1:8". My current barrel is a 1:8" because of an ordering mix up, so I can't shoot the 80's or 90's like I want, but my scores are still holding on (when I replace it for the 2017 season, it'll go back to 1:7" or 1:7.7" if I go back with a Krieger).
There are two bodies which sanction "service rifle" matches - NRA Highpower and DCM CMP. Both of these publish their rulebooks readily available on their sites, and effectively, they're VERY functionally over-lapping, as both of these rulebooks reference the other in some sections.
For both NRA HP and CMP, the rules have opened up to allow almost ANY 20" AR with a 4.5lb trigger, A1 or A2 pistol grip, and a non-adjustable gas block, using either iron sights or <4.5x32mm optic. The relatively rare, or relatively low regional level "Military Rifle Matches" (a very specific sub-set of rules) still require service rifle clones, but in the normal service rifle categories, it's wide open. Why do I bring this up? Because the "service rifle" looks very, very different than it did even 2-3yrs ago. Almost anything goes now, so you're not stuck with an A2 stock, carry handle, clamshell, 20" A2 clone.
Are you dead set on a fixed carry handle, or do you just assume you need one for the service matches? Fixed carry handle "A2's" are no longer required for service rifle matches, in ANY rule set. Almost all of us shooting iron sights are shooting A3/A4's with detachable carry handles with A2 sights. Even in military match rifle rules, you don't have to have a fixed carry handle, as the A3, M4, and A4's are flattops.
Barrels which don't ship with it already installed typically do not come grooved for front sights - it's on the gunsmith installing the sight to groove the barrel. Most gas block/front sights which don't come installed on the barrel typically aren't even drilled for the pins either - the installing gunsmith has to drill the block then ream the taper.
So no matter what barrel you buy, if it doesn't come with the front sight/gas block already installed, you'll have to drill and ream the block and the barrel (or have a smith do it).
For example:
The good news - you don't need an A2 style gas block/front sight any more either.
Fixed front sights - A2 style gas block/front sights - are no longer required in either rulebook. For iron sights, I use a detachable carry handle with a pinned A2 style sight in the rear and a clamp on front sight on my handguard. For NRA HP, gas block mounted front sights aren't required, and haven't been for a very long time. Most guys match rifles are long barrels with the front sights mounted at the muzzle.
In fact, at least in CMP, fixed sights aren't required at all. Last season, CMP allowed up to 4.5x32mm scopes, which is expected to expand to 6x for the 2017 season (has not been officially announced though). I didn't shoot NRA HP this year, but last I knew, they weren't over onto optics yet, but are expected to convert over for 2017 season as well.
If the latter, then I'll provide a bit of an update to the rules, as I think it'll make your life a lot easier. The new rules are very different than they used to be. You don't need to build a mil-spec M16A2 clone for "Service Rifle competition" any more.
HOWEVER - for these rifles, you'll want a 1:7" twist, as many clubs REQUIRE 69grn+ bullets, and to be effective at the 600yrd line, you'll want to shoot heavier than 69's anyway. At LEAST a 1:8". My current barrel is a 1:8" because of an ordering mix up, so I can't shoot the 80's or 90's like I want, but my scores are still holding on (when I replace it for the 2017 season, it'll go back to 1:7" or 1:7.7" if I go back with a Krieger).
There are two bodies which sanction "service rifle" matches - NRA Highpower and DCM CMP. Both of these publish their rulebooks readily available on their sites, and effectively, they're VERY functionally over-lapping, as both of these rulebooks reference the other in some sections.
For both NRA HP and CMP, the rules have opened up to allow almost ANY 20" AR with a 4.5lb trigger, A1 or A2 pistol grip, and a non-adjustable gas block, using either iron sights or <4.5x32mm optic. The relatively rare, or relatively low regional level "Military Rifle Matches" (a very specific sub-set of rules) still require service rifle clones, but in the normal service rifle categories, it's wide open. Why do I bring this up? Because the "service rifle" looks very, very different than it did even 2-3yrs ago. Almost anything goes now, so you're not stuck with an A2 stock, carry handle, clamshell, 20" A2 clone.
Are you dead set on a fixed carry handle, or do you just assume you need one for the service matches? Fixed carry handle "A2's" are no longer required for service rifle matches, in ANY rule set. Almost all of us shooting iron sights are shooting A3/A4's with detachable carry handles with A2 sights. Even in military match rifle rules, you don't have to have a fixed carry handle, as the A3, M4, and A4's are flattops.
Barrels which don't ship with it already installed typically do not come grooved for front sights - it's on the gunsmith installing the sight to groove the barrel. Most gas block/front sights which don't come installed on the barrel typically aren't even drilled for the pins either - the installing gunsmith has to drill the block then ream the taper.
So no matter what barrel you buy, if it doesn't come with the front sight/gas block already installed, you'll have to drill and ream the block and the barrel (or have a smith do it).
For example:
The good news - you don't need an A2 style gas block/front sight any more either.
Fixed front sights - A2 style gas block/front sights - are no longer required in either rulebook. For iron sights, I use a detachable carry handle with a pinned A2 style sight in the rear and a clamp on front sight on my handguard. For NRA HP, gas block mounted front sights aren't required, and haven't been for a very long time. Most guys match rifles are long barrels with the front sights mounted at the muzzle.
In fact, at least in CMP, fixed sights aren't required at all. Last season, CMP allowed up to 4.5x32mm scopes, which is expected to expand to 6x for the 2017 season (has not been officially announced though). I didn't shoot NRA HP this year, but last I knew, they weren't over onto optics yet, but are expected to convert over for 2017 season as well.
