Question about floating an AR barrel?

[BsChoy]

Not sure if this should be here or in the hunting section but here goes! I am starting my first AR build and really like the look of the ff quad rails (going for a 20" SPR look-a-like) but the prices are kind crazy. I saw the rails that UTG makes and actually handled some on a 20" at a local store and they were solid. The rifle is going to be used for 300 yd max paper and I just want it minute of coyote out to that range for the predator season.

Is it necessary to have a floated barrel for that kind of accuracy or can I get the look I want without the cost and go with the UTG rails and a single rail gas block for the BUIS?

Thanks.
Chris

 

[strat81]

Assuming you are a good shooter, with a good trigger and ammo, yes, you can get away with the UTG rails in your circumstances.

However, I recommend saving up a bit more and buying some used MI or YHM rails off the Arfcom EE.

 

[Eyesac]

UTG is pretty cheap crap IMO, like the above post, check out YHM, they're pretty cheap and it's good quality, they also have many configurations to choose from.

 

[highorder]

Yankee Hill Machine products are FAR better that the UTG crap for only a little more money!

 

[rino451]

No need to float. 4MOA at 300 yards is about pie plate. Not many guns bad enough to NOT hit that assuming decent ammo/shooter. Doubly so if you're going to use optics.

 

[B.D. Turner]

My coyote gun is a Bushmaster CMP AR-15. It has a full float barrel but wears regular handguards. The CMP is very accurate right out of the box.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

From personal use and reading, it looks like free-floating an AR gets you about 0.5 inches better at 100yds. So it probably isn't necessary.

On the other hand I second the notion that the YHM is much better product for only a little more money.

 

[brian923]

go yhm, and dont look back. quailty machined free float rails, with the same dimensions of a samson rail, at 1/3 the price. i have onne and love it.

that being said, my colt hbar had regular handgaurds on it and it shot sub-inch groups out to 200 yards. though it is an hbar...

 

[Owen]

you don't need to free-float for your purpose.

 

[BsChoy]

Thanks for the responses guys it looks like YHM all the way!! hahaha the wife is going to love me!

 

[AR-15 Rep]

Go with the YHM, you will be happier you did.

 

[Zach S]

I have a UTG forend on mine. It holds up well to my VFG and light on my HD carbine, but it will go on my 9mm or rimfire plinker as soon as I get something better (probably the MI FF). I took the cheapest way out since I plan on replacing it anyway, and my HGs wouldnt hold up to a VFG.

I dont think you would have been unhappy with the UTG fore end, but I dont think you'll wish you got it instead of the YHM.