Recommend a target upper

toxic

toxic

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
22   0   0
So here's the deal. This spring I plan to head stateside to shoot prairie dogs for a few days. I hope this will become an annual trip. I want to purchase or put together a target upper to reach out quite far. I already have a decent lower with a 2 stage trigger etc...

I do have a stripped upper and most of the tools to assemble my own upper. I've never actually assembled an upper but from what I can tell it's not that difficult with the AR platform. The original plan for that upper was to put a shorty together but now I seem to want a long range upper.

So far I'm thinking a fluted barrel for cooling since it will be a lot of shooting. A handlapped barrel seems to be a standard for long range accuracy but I would hate to damage a really high end barrel by overheating it shooting pdogs. After the Pdog hunt I'd like to use it for some long range target shooting (F class or whatever class my AR would fit into).

I'm not sure on barrel length or if I should go with a rifle or mid length configuration. I'm led to believe the longer configuration is more accurate but I don't really know.

Ideally the upper would be heavy enough or have a muzzle break to minimize lift so I can see the pdogs go splat in my scope. I'm not clear on how a muzzle break may affect accuracy vs a recessed crown style muzzle.

I know DPMS and RRA have target/varming uppers but I'm not sure they are true match barrels. ATRS have Lilja barrels which sounds great but I have never seen one of their rifles in action. Getting a complete upper from them is sounding pretty good though...

I've done a ton of reading online but I"m looking for any additional advice from those who use their AR's to shoot out to 400 yards or even farther.

Thanks.
:sniper:
 
I have an AR and I shoot it out past 400m. I use it for Service Rifle and IPSC & USPSA Multigun. It is an off the shelf STAG Arms upper with a 20' heavy barrel and it will out shoot my smallbore rifle any day of the week. It even shoots the cheapy 55 grain FMJ's to sub MOA. I bought a STAG because i thought there were a reliable AR but I was very pleased to learn they are also accurate.

Out past 300m, if a rifle is sub MOA, the wind is the biggest concern in relation to connecting with a small target.
 
Just remember the minimum length you can take stateside without hassle is 16in. But you are probably looking at rifle length anyway...
 
My Rock River Predator Pursuit 20" upper with 1:8 twist Wylde chamber has been very nice with either 55gr HDY V Max,68 SMK or 77gr SMK projectiles. Not fluted however but quite good accuracy for the price.
 
The RRA with the heavy barrels are AWSOME guns for the money! Had one. Sold it in a fit of stupidity. Want it back. I will get another! 55gr Hornady V-max factory shells would do under .75'' all day long from the bench and sometimes under .5''.
 
toxic said:
I do have a stripped upper
Click to expand...

Something else to think about: one of our better-known CGN participants has noted testing that shows long / heavy barrels and standard uppers don't mix well, due to flex in the upper receiver. I don't recall the details (e.g. the length at which accuracy gains reversed), but if I was building a precision AR upper for a long/heavy barrel I would ensure that the receiver was one of the heavy-walled ones.

Some of your better barrel choices listed already are Lilja and Shilen. Both benchrest manufacturers - while you aren't getting a br-quality barrel for an AR blank, at least the pedigree is good.
 
toxic said:
ATRS have Lilja barrels which sounds great but I have never seen one of their rifles in action.
Click to expand...

Are you sure about that?

I have one of theirs that Rich put together and I'm pretty sure it is a Rock Creek.
Either way, they shoot great and can be had with whatever profile you want.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom