WVgoodguy22
Active member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2019
- Messages
- 398
I am going to build my first MSR, which I should have started 8 years ago or so, but political fear reasons (a bear den sized hole I don't want to go down) and the fact that my Marine brother left his old school Bushmaster AR-15 at home since he didn't need it in the service and said that I or anyone in the family could use it/shoot it for fun or hunting. I upgraded it with a flat top receiver, Warne one piece scope mount, and an engraved dust cover as a Christmas present. I even did some hunting reloads for it (65 grain Sierra GameKings in front of CFE223), went as heavy as I could for a 1:9 twist barrel (18 inch). Well long story short, he finally did take it back and is going to use it for hunting in SC for hogs and deer, etc... So I want to build my own AR, make it kind of my own. I mostly want it for coyote/varmint hunting and some fun bench rest target shooting. I live in West Virginia so most shots would be under 300 yards, usually under 100. But wouldn't mind taking it out to more wide open spaces if I have the opportunity for coyote, groundhog and prairie dog hunting.
For my first one I plan on building a complete lower receiver and ordering a complete upper receiver in 5.56/223 Wylde probably from BCA or Palmetto State or another reputable company site. My original thought was to find one in either 18-20 inch barrel, stainless preferred but not necessary, in either 1:7 or 1:8 twist rate to accommodate a wider range of bullet sizes. But with the shortage of availability of some products with many people buying up many MSRs and their build components because of the uncertainty in the world over the last few months (another rabbit hole I don't want to go down), I was wondering what people thought of even going with a 16 inch carbine length barrel for my purposes or keep waiting and looking for another 18-20 inch rifle length upper to come back in stock.
Usually longer barrels add velocity regardless of platform until a point of diminishing returns, hence also adding energy on target. From what I have read or watched a 20 inch has 150-200 fps more velocity at the muzzle vs a 16 inch barrel. I have heard that shorter barrels to an extent can be more inherently accurate since they are more rigid and have less whip, etc... I am not sure of the weight loss or gain trade off between a 16 on one end and 20 on the other, I know other factors matter as in barrel profile, the handguard, etc... so it would be difficult to tell. I don't have the budget to buy the lightest and best components. Even though it would be cool to be able to build the lego of rifles one piece at a time, I don't have all the tools needed for the upper nor the experience yet even though I have watched dozens and dozens of videos, but it isn't the same as hands on.
My youngest brother whom recently came back to civilian life after 4 years in the Army said that their assigned weapon had 16 inch barrels and they had to shoot 300 yards with them. i am not sure if it was iron sights, but that is my guess.
I do have a Nikon P-223 4-12x42 BDC scope (with sun shade) waiting for it thanks to an awesome fellow Hunt Talker, so I am looking forward to starting and eventually completing this build (I will probably base my rear stock style and size based on what size and length upper I get for balance considerations). I know have quite a bit of more research to do and I am not in a big hurry, hopefully by the end of the year, but the earlier the better so I can shoot it more. lol So any help would be appreciated.
I am also thinking of putting a .450 BM upper on it later for straight wall restricted deer states like Ohio, as well as wild boar hunting and thicker cover black bear hunting in PA, WV or NC. Plus big bores can be fun to shoot (obviously in a safe manner like anything else). 6.5 Grendel is another consideration, but my brother is doing that to go with his .350 Legend (what a cocky name for a newish caliber haha) that he will eventually let his kids use since they can grow with the platform and they don't recoil as much.
I know that buying a bolt action .223 or .22-250 or even a MSR would be easier for my purposes, but this is something that I have want to try to do for a while now as stated above. Any help would be appreciated.
For my first one I plan on building a complete lower receiver and ordering a complete upper receiver in 5.56/223 Wylde probably from BCA or Palmetto State or another reputable company site. My original thought was to find one in either 18-20 inch barrel, stainless preferred but not necessary, in either 1:7 or 1:8 twist rate to accommodate a wider range of bullet sizes. But with the shortage of availability of some products with many people buying up many MSRs and their build components because of the uncertainty in the world over the last few months (another rabbit hole I don't want to go down), I was wondering what people thought of even going with a 16 inch carbine length barrel for my purposes or keep waiting and looking for another 18-20 inch rifle length upper to come back in stock.
Usually longer barrels add velocity regardless of platform until a point of diminishing returns, hence also adding energy on target. From what I have read or watched a 20 inch has 150-200 fps more velocity at the muzzle vs a 16 inch barrel. I have heard that shorter barrels to an extent can be more inherently accurate since they are more rigid and have less whip, etc... I am not sure of the weight loss or gain trade off between a 16 on one end and 20 on the other, I know other factors matter as in barrel profile, the handguard, etc... so it would be difficult to tell. I don't have the budget to buy the lightest and best components. Even though it would be cool to be able to build the lego of rifles one piece at a time, I don't have all the tools needed for the upper nor the experience yet even though I have watched dozens and dozens of videos, but it isn't the same as hands on.
My youngest brother whom recently came back to civilian life after 4 years in the Army said that their assigned weapon had 16 inch barrels and they had to shoot 300 yards with them. i am not sure if it was iron sights, but that is my guess.
I do have a Nikon P-223 4-12x42 BDC scope (with sun shade) waiting for it thanks to an awesome fellow Hunt Talker, so I am looking forward to starting and eventually completing this build (I will probably base my rear stock style and size based on what size and length upper I get for balance considerations). I know have quite a bit of more research to do and I am not in a big hurry, hopefully by the end of the year, but the earlier the better so I can shoot it more. lol So any help would be appreciated.
I am also thinking of putting a .450 BM upper on it later for straight wall restricted deer states like Ohio, as well as wild boar hunting and thicker cover black bear hunting in PA, WV or NC. Plus big bores can be fun to shoot (obviously in a safe manner like anything else). 6.5 Grendel is another consideration, but my brother is doing that to go with his .350 Legend (what a cocky name for a newish caliber haha) that he will eventually let his kids use since they can grow with the platform and they don't recoil as much.
I know that buying a bolt action .223 or .22-250 or even a MSR would be easier for my purposes, but this is something that I have want to try to do for a while now as stated above. Any help would be appreciated.
