Rifle build for NRA AR Tactical class

[horsemen61]

Update:

I shot my second match a couple of weeks ago and noticed accuracy issues that I couldn’t attribute to missed wind calls.

Went to the range yesterday with the goal of ruling out loads and anything else obvious. Whatever was effecting accuracy at the match became abysmal at the range.

As it turns out the hand guard was installed incorrectly and was putting pressure on the gas tube. It was also slightly loose. After re-installing it the right way I ran into another problem where the gas key no longer aligned with the gas tube and the bolt wouldn’t go into battery.

After some more fiddling I finally got it in working order. Here’s the before (L) and after (R)

View attachment 1090228

Hard to believe but the proof is on the paper.

I also took @MCMXI ’s advice and installed a Magpul PRS gen 3 stock. Big difference. This configuration is rock solid

View attachment 1090229

Slick rifle sir!

 

[Peakbagger46]

What’s “tactical” about that build?

 

[Nature Boy]

What’s “tactical” about that build?

It’s a good question. I could ask the same regarding a myriad of things in the world today that have “tactical” attached to their descriptor.

I’ll let the NRA’s verbiage speak for itself, from 3.3.3 in the rules;

“Any semi-automatic rifle constructed on an “AR-Style Platform” chambered in any caliber from . 233/5.56mm caliber up to and including .308 caliber/7.62mm similar in outward appearance to the “Service Rifle” described in 3.1(c), above, equipped with the standard 10-, 20-, or 30-round box magazine, having not less than 4 1⁄2 pound trigger pull, with standard type “tactical” stock (Military or Police); barrel length not to exceed 20 inches; total weight of the rifle including one empty magazine, bipod and/or sling, if any, and sighting system (scope) may not exceed 14 pounds”
​

 

[Laphroaig]

It looks like the NRA is making room for the older service rifle shooters who are frustrated that they can no longer compete at a level that they could when they were younger. A National Match service rifle checks all of the boxes other than a higher power scope and perhaps the 14# weight limit if one went overboard adding weight. Both are easily remedied.

 

[Nature Boy]

It looks like the NRA is making room for the older service rifle shooters who are frustrated that they can no longer compete at a level that they could when they were younger. A National Match service rifle checks all of the boxes other than a higher power scope and perhaps the 14# weight limit if one went overboard adding weight. Both are easily remedied.

According to what I’ve read the reason for this class is to attract new shooters. Since everyone and their brother-in-law has an AR they tailored the rules to suit with limitations to keep the costs low.

With that said, everyone I’ve seen shooting this new class are experienced sling shooters and F class guys.

I’ve been promoting it to friends and shooting acquaintances who are on the fence about trying a competition but so far haven’t had any luck

 

[Varminterror]

According to what I’ve read the reason for this class is to attract new shooters. Since everyone and their brother-in-law has an AR they tailored the rules to suit with limitations to keep the costs low.

With that said, everyone I’ve seen shooting this new class are experienced sling shooters and F class guys.

Seems about right on both counts - Highpower games have problems with culture and perception (either or both, distinction without a difference), so a new gear class won’t really solve their lower participation issue.

The new class seems to be catering to the “average AR,”but “Average AR folks” still recognize that committed competitors will build an “accurized Average AR Clone” which will outshoot their “Actually average AR,” and especially outshoot their “Average AR folk” skills.

I’ve been doing a bit of research and networking, even informal polling at local public and private ranges and online the last two years or to understand why gun owners and shooters don’t compete. Asking the “5 why’s,” it’s very clear that “I don’t have the right rifle” is a cover for saying, “I don’t have the right rifle because I don’t really want to compete, and wouldn’t even if I did have the right rifle.” When certain gear hurdles are removed, there’s still low participation - because they don’t solve the issue of lacking interest in competition, and solve the failure to promote the perception that “competition can be fun, and competitions can be shot for fun.” Different competitions have set up loaner rifles and ammo, set up mentorship programs, etc etc, and there never seems to be a magic bullet to draw memberships and participation, even when gear hurdles are removed and cost of entry are abated.

 

[arsterling180]

Seems about right on both counts - Highpower games have problems with culture and perception (either or both, distinction without a difference), so a new gear class won’t really solve their lower participation issue.

The new class seems to be catering to the “average AR,”but “Average AR folks” still recognize that committed competitors will build an “accurized Average AR Clone” which will outshoot their “Actually average AR,” and especially outshoot their “Average AR folk” skills.

I’ve been doing a bit of research and networking, even informal polling at local public and private ranges and online the last two years or to understand why gun owners and shooters don’t compete. Asking the “5 why’s,” it’s very clear that “I don’t have the right rifle” is a cover for saying, “I don’t have the right rifle because I don’t really want to compete, and wouldn’t even if I did have the right rifle.” When certain gear hurdles are removed, there’s still low participation - because they don’t solve the issue of lacking interest in competition, and solve the failure to promote the perception that “competition can be fun, and competitions can be shot for fun.” Different competitions have set up loaner rifles and ammo, set up mentorship programs, etc etc, and there never seems to be a magic bullet to draw memberships and participation, even when gear hurdles are removed and cost of entry are abated.

I’d say even in the group of people who shoot more than the requisite sight in their deer gun, most just want to blast and shred.

 

[Walkalong]

Some people just don’t like keeping score. I had fun win or lose, mostly lose, in Benchrest, and I have fun no matter where I place shooting PRS or NRL-22.

The competition is what I like, where it counts.

I never practiced with my Benchrest rifle, couldn’t really afford it anyway, but it wasn’t fun /challenging like a match.

I don’t practice with my PRS rifle, too expensive, but I have practiced NRL-22 with my buddy Jeff.

 

[Varminterror]

I don’t practice with my PRS rifle, too expensive, but I have practiced NRL-22 with my buddy Jeff.

That’s a big differentiator for PRS compared to many other RIFLE sports. Practice analogies in 22LR or 223 are much more relevant - more like action shooting sports. I used to use a 22LR adapter in my Service Rifle, but never really loved it. But PRS does get meaningful practice from 22’s and 223’s. Mathematically, it doesn’t make sense, as the cost of another complete rifle and optic would pay for a LOT of ammo and barrels, but it’s nice to go out on a 300yrd range with the 22LR and get the same practice as going out to 800+ with my centerfires. I do practice a bit for PRS - not as much as I should, and I do much more dry fire and 22 than centerfire. Usually I’ll use 1 day matches as practice, whether I’m there shooting the entire match or just shooting a bit of structured practice between taking photos, or helping run the match.

After seeing @Nature Boy ‘s thread on this NRA Tac rifle, I’ve been goading one of the Kansas ranges near me (50 miles?) which hosts Service Rifle and XC matches to start with this NRA Tactical Class game. They’ll often piggyback different disciplines into a single day to let guys get more out of their travel. I’d even build another Service Rifle and shoot that in the morning and then shoot NRA Tactical with some of my existing AR’s in the afternoons if they’d host these matches.

 

[Nature Boy]

Having sorted out the issue with my rifle I’m going to revisit my load development. My goal is to head out early in the morning before Satan turns on the furnace.

77 SMKs, 80.5 Full Bores, 85.5 LRHTs and 90 VLDs. Trying Varget this time around

 

[Varminterror]

@Nature Boy - dude, any time I think about shooting 90 Berger’s in 223, it makes me so very happy. That’s one of the relatively few remaining “incentives” which make me miss shooting Service Rifle (and wish for NRA Tac around here)!

Of course, it was 103F here yesterday, and even though I never really mind the heat, the thought of donning two hoodies and strapping up in my leather Creedmoor jacket isn’t so appealing!

 

[rdnktrkr]

Thank you for bringing this up, I can't wait to hear about your load work up and getting comfortable with your rifle.

I'm curious about the choice of 223 vs 224 valk, 6mm ARC or 6.5 Grendel, I've always thought those were more accurate at over 500yrds.

 

[The Glockodile]

...most just want to blast and shred.

Yeah!

Pew pew pew!!!

 

[The Glockodile]

77 SMKs, 80.5 Full Bores, 85.5 LRHTs and 90 VLDs. Trying Varget this time around

View attachment 1091078

Such pretty little pewticles!

 

[Nature Boy]

I started a separate thread in the reloading section to discuss load development for this project here

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/precision-ar-223-load-development.908347/

 

[rdnktrkr]

I was looking at the rules and have a couple of questions, 1; 20"barrel does that include any muzzle device? I see brakes are not allowed but flash hiders are. 2; What is 2 convertible sighters? (round one has unlimited sighters and rounds 2&3 have convertible sighters 3; Being a semi automatic rifle can you cut the gas off and shoot it as a single shot? (a friend does that with a side charging 6mm and says he is more accurate) 4; looks like there is 2 categories, 223/556 and above, would 224 Valkyrie be in the same class as "above"? 5; can drop in triggers be used or do they have to be mil spec? 6: Is there an advantage to having the bipod mounted farther out using a 18" handguard instead of 15"?
I was looking at building another AR for accuracy and have purchased a barrel but it is a 24" Valkyrie and 22" 6mmARC so I was looking at the rules before I went further, I have an Aero lower and upper and enough parts to complete my build (3lb drop in)

 

[Nature Boy]

1; 20"barrel does that include any muzzle device?

Just the barrel

2; What is 2 convertible sighters? (round one has unlimited sighters and rounds 2&3 have convertible sighters

To the best of my knowledge convertible sighters (counting them as a record shot) are only used under Full Bore rules (BTW, you can shoot this AR configuration in a Full Bore match). In High Power matches the 2 sighters each in the 2nd and 3rd match are not convertible. I’ve only shot one Full Bore match and if I recall you have to declare your sighter as a scored shot before taking your next shot.

3; Being a semi automatic rifle can you cut the gas off and shoot it as a single shot?

I saw no mention of it in the rules so I assume it’s OK to do it.

4; looks like there is 2 categories, 223/556 and above, would 224 Valkyrie be in the same class as "above"?

It’s really just one category, inclusive of calibers from .223 through .308, so a .224 Valkyrie would be good to go.

5; can drop in triggers be used or do they have to be mil spec?

My reading of the rules only stipulates a minimum pull weight of 4 1/2 lbs

6: Is there an advantage to having the bipod mounted farther out using a 18" handguard instead of 15"?

In my opinion, the further out, the more stable

 

[Walkalong]

In my opinion, the further out, the more stable

As long as it is stiff and doesn't flex easily......

That is what the MPA Spigot is for, to get more length between the rear support and the bipod.