Help me build a ###y long range AR

WASNTME

WASNTME

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Dead center of Saskatchewan.
Greetings humans. This is my first AR build. But not my first AR. The only parts I have so far are a stripped Aero Precision lower I bought to give Trudeau the finger awhile back and a Magpul PRS stock in black that I got a smoking deal on. I would like it to be precision but still in .223. I'm thinking maybe .223 wylde. I'm willing to pick away at this project $500 or $1000 at a time. So suggestions?
Trigger
Barrel (need a length too because I'm dumb)
Bolt Carrier Group
Hanguard (free floated obviously)
Gas tube
Gas block
Buffer kit
Lower parts kit
Charging handle

Thanks.
 
I've owned a bunch of monolithic Colt Canada IUR complete 15.7 uppers, a couple of which were really accurate. Free-floated from the factory, great barrel.... what's not to like? Well, heavy, but not a big concern for a bench rifle. And best of all, available pretty affordably on the EE on a regular basis.
 
Long range.
Precision.
.223.
AR.

If you aren't going to single load it, and wish to have a repeater, cartridges must fit the magazines. That limits bullet length/weight.
You will want to maximize velocity. That would indicate a longer barrel. 24" with a 1:8 twist would probably maximize your long range potential for a repeater. Anything longer would require a custom barrel.
If you are content to single load, you could use a faster twist to stabilize the heavier VLDs.
 
WASNTME said:
Greetings humans. This is my first AR build. But not my first AR. The only parts I have so far are a stripped Aero Precision lower I bought to give Trudeau the finger awhile back and a Magpul PRS stock in black that I got a smoking deal on. I would like it to be precision but still in .223. I'm thinking maybe .223 wylde. I'm willing to pick away at this project $500 or $1000 at a time. So suggestions?
Trigger
Barrel (need a length too because I'm dumb)
Bolt Carrier Group
Hanguard (free floated obviously)
Gas tube
Gas block
Buffer kit
Lower parts kit
Charging handle

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Get a Jury Custom 20” barrel and target crown (great Canadian made quality) matched to a quality headspaced matched bolt. A light or ultra light gas block and 15”-18” inch quality handguard (Midwest Industry). A good TWO stage trigger and Magpul precision stock and quality buffer spring. This will get you going as the other items sans the scope and mount is just bling.

You have mad a good choice by choosing an Aero Precision set as they are great product.
 
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Areas to focus on if you want it to be precise (in order of importance):
Barrel - spend your money here. Barrel length only translates into velocity, which is important if you plan on shooting out past 300m. Faster velocity means less time in flight to target. Less time being affected by external forces which helps. It doesn’t make the barrel more accurate though. Several good companies make good barrels. My favourites are Krieger if budget isn’t an issue or WOA if you are pinching pennies. Bartlien is excellent for precision rifles, and they make AR barrels as well. I just haven’t tried one of their AR barrels.

Free float rail - There are tons of options here. The key is that they don’t touch the expensive barrel you just bought. Personally, I like the sturdiness of Daniel Defense, but I also like BCM and VLTOR if you opt for a “monolithic” type rail.

Trigger - A good trigger will help with accuracy. It won’t make your gun more precise. It will just ensure the user interface is as friendly as possible. I would put Geissele SSA at the top, but I like TriggerTech as well.

The rest of the gun is just bells and whistles. Personal preference mainly.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I was unaware the Alberta Tactical could be purchased as a lower and then have all the other AR goodies added. I was aware of their non-restricted guns, just not that their lowers were THAT compatible.
 
WASNTME said:
Thanks for the input guys. I was unaware the Alberta Tactical could be purchased as a lower and then have all the other AR goodies added. I was aware of their non-restricted guns, just not that their lowers were THAT compatible.
Click to expand...

You will still need an ATRS upper as it is proprietary, hence the NR status. Most all other AR parts will fit the upper/lower combo.
77 grain TMKs are about the heaviest projectile you can fit in a magazine and has a high BC.
If you want faster and heavier projectiles go for a 224 Valkyrie or another wildcat like the 6mm AR if you handload. Both use a larger bolt face. Running a few #s real quick and the Valkyrie might have the advantage but I'm just plugging in known velocities for the 77 Grain TMKs that I have. Other heavier bullets in the Valkyrie may be better. Either cartridge can get you to 1000 yards.
 
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scourge18a said:
You will still need an ATRS upper as it is proprietary, hence the NR status. Most all other AR parts will fit the upper/lower combo.
77 grain TMKs are about the heaviest projectile you can fit in a magazine and has a high BC.
If you want faster and heavier projectiles go for a 224 Valkyrie or another wildcat like the 6mm AR if you handload. Both use a larger bolt face. Running a few #s real quick and the Valkyrie might have the advantage but I'm just plugging in known velocities for the 77 Grain TMKs that I have. Other heavier bullets in the Valkyrie may be better. Either cartridge can get you to 1000 yards.
Click to expand...

I've been considering a 224 Valkyrie build a well. Seems like a no brainer over 223. My only fear is its age and not sticking around long-term.
 
so when I built mine

Trigger - triggertec adjustable flat trigger, it's crisp, light, easily adjustable, and so far dependable(zero regrets)
Barrel (need a length too because I'm dumb) - I went with a 20 inch, 1:8 twist, 223 wylde chamber, custom made by ATRS in the thickest profile I could get. the god eugene stoner designed the AR and the gas system to work with a 20 inch barrel. If he designed it for a 20 inch barrel, who am I to question him?
Bolt Carrier Group - Lantac, it's coated with the souls of children to reduce friction, fouling and stoppages (and it's silver, so it looks all purdy through the ejection cover). It's been reliable, and when I've been lazy and run it dirty and dry, it's still been reliable, so I'm happy)
Hanguard (free floated obviously) - I went with a seekins precision sp3r, it has 5 sides, and gives me a LARGE flat bottom, for shooting off barricades and it is very solidly attached (and leaves my gas block adjustable without needing to remove the rail), no regrets
Gas tube - cheapest one I could find in the correct length
Gas block - adjustable, tuned to the point where it locks open (always) but the buffer doesn't slam home. It ejects so reliably you could set your watch by the ejection pattern.... crap, I don't remember the make, but I got one with detents and with the nut on the front so I could get to it under the rail. I could never own an AR that doesn't have an adjustable gas block as most are way over gassed
Buffer kit - just a regular/stock rifle buffer (not a carbine buffer), I considered the jp enterprises silent buffer for tweaking if needed (but it is not needed)
Stock - Magpul PRS. I looked in to the luth-ar stock, and it didn't look solid. I find I prefer my gear to feel solid, and I am ok with the weight. the Luth-ar might be solid, I just wasn't interested in taking the risk so I went with "old faithful"
Lower parts kit - I used a daniel defense lower parts kits, but honestly, just about any LPK would do. If I were to do it again, I'd buy the cheapest lpk without a trigger and grip
Charging handle - radian raptor, IMO the best there is...


Before going down this road, I'd consider an non-restricted build, for me, I WANTED an AR, but it would be nice to take something out to my friends land to plink away at 600 yards. as for the 224 round, it seems pretty interesting, but the bigger concern is where can I shoot it? inmy area, the only longer ranges are military ranges, and they aren't all approved for "new" cartridges. Petawawa for example is approved for 223/556, 762 nato/308, 303 british and 338 Lapua I believe. So if I tossed a 224 valk barrel on, I couldn't take it to those ranges, and would be stuck at 300 yards. So do some homework before commiting to an AR build, and the caliber.

Good luck, and have fun. Building an AR is fun
 
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For your first Precision AR There is nothing wrong with a .223 and then switching to an exotic caliber at a later date. The .224 Valkyrie, 22 Noslers are great speedy choices, but can take some effort in finding a good custom reload. Even a 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel are great 6mm choices.

Choice and adaptability is the beauty of the AR platform.
 
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20 inch is the longest you want, anything pass that you are losing velocity. Bartlein / Shilen barrels are all good barrel, send the bolt out along with it and the upper and have the gunsmith lap and square it.

223 is fast and flat ballistic but light bullet, no experience with 224 valkyrie. Just a hype i think with that. Stick with a caliber that will last around for more than a hockey game (223/308).
 
Check out both of my threads on sub MOA builds with MDI SLR receiver sets. One is .223 Wylde, the other is 6.5 Grendel. Both are using Canadian IBI barrels and shoot lights out!! Also, seriously consider a Trigger Tech trigger, they break like the proverbial glass rod.
 
tiriaq said:
Long range.
Precision.
.223.
AR.

If you aren't going to single load it, and wish to have a repeater, cartridges must fit the magazines. That limits bullet length/weight.
You will want to maximize velocity. That would indicate a longer barrel. 24" with a 1:8 twist would probably maximize your long range potential for a repeater. Anything longer would require a custom barrel.
If you are content to single load, you could use a faster twist to stabilize the heavier VLDs.
Click to expand...

Sqr said:
Get a Jury Custom 20” barrel and target crown (great Canadian made quality) matched to a quality headspaced matched bolt. A light or ultra light gas block and 15”-18” inch quality handguard (Midwest Industry). A good TWO stage trigger and Magpul precision stock and quality buffer spring. This will get you going as the other items sans the scope and mount is just bling.

You have made a good choice by choosing an Aero Precision set as they are great product.
Click to expand...

22"-24" barrel. Some will state that any longer than 20" is a waste of time, and if you take a study done by a few guys with a few different factory loads seriously that would seem to be the case. Others indicate that there are no gains over 22", again only using a limited number of loads, in this case three different Ball loadings. I don't believe this applies in this application as you'll likely be using heavy projectiles and slower powders. Heavy bullets, and slower powders should allow you to take advantage of those last few inches, and if you are planning on shooting 600 yds - 1000 yds every little bit of velocity will help reduce drop/drift. If it were me I'd go 1 in 7, or 1 in 8. Shoot Hornady 73gr ELD's, or 75gr Match out of the magazine to 600 m, and some kind of 75/80 VLD for farther (single load). As for chamber, I haven't put much thought into that. If I'm not mistaken a .223 chamber is better for accuracy, but there might be an advantage to having a NATO throat...loading those VLD's long may have some advantages re powder space and overall accuracy, just not sure if that would apply to a gas gun as it does to a bolt gun. All this diddling with projectile weights etc., may make an adjustable gas block a good idea.

Use the search to look up some of Sqr's builds. He's one of the few guys here who seems pretty focused on ultimate accuracy from the AR platform.

As for all the fiddly bits, I'll defer to others. Just keep in mind that some of the "best" parts are really just the most expensive. Your Aero receiver is a great example, quality part at half the cost of some of the bigger names.
 
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