new build with two uppers, suggestions/advice?

[68WJ]

For the 130gr SST, does anyone know the ogive dimension? With BC's similar to the 140gr, there is the potential that the ogive would require and even longer COAL and exceed the magazine allowance. I believe this is what was reported with the 130 VLD.

[jason41987]

hmm, im reading reports of people being able to fit 150 grain bullets in their AR15 magazines, but the tail end does stick back further in the case itself, reducing powder capacity a bit.. the bullets shown had plastic tips like the hornady, i think they were barned TSX tippped bullets though

[jason41987]

so, anyway... ive learned a number of ways of saving money on this build, doing my own trigger job (ive done them on shotguns and other rifles before), sticking with DI for the long range rifle, using an A2 stock if i can find one in flat dark earth or olive drab to match the colors, these barrels are very good value (the AR performance barrels), inexpensive bolt to go with it... im going to repurpose the money saved into good optics, any suggestions?

also, im kind of curious what kind of zoom im going to need for 600-1000 yard shots on the long range rifle (shooting metal plates), and i might get one of the trijicon powered red dots for the carbine upper

so.. optics suggestions?

[jason41987]

i was searching brownells and found these stocks http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2...-15-BUTTSTOCKS .. im going to use this stock, and either drill it out for an adjustable cheek rest, or get a fabric universal cheek rest to strap over it

OR.. im going to buy the mako collapsible stock with adjustable cheek rest for it... one of these two will be my stock, ergo grip, and ill drill out the free float tube to attach rails to where i need them, for a sling and bipod for the long range rifle, and short quad rail for the carbine

[constructor]

hey everyone.. ive been looking for a new AR type rifle with two uppers, wanted more power, range, ballistics, and narrowed it down to 6.8 and 6.5 grendel, and i had no opinion on either cartridge then, but i looked into the ballistics charts, checked out some hand load data, and ran some numbers and well.. ballistically i didnt find much difference at all between the two, tested the 110 grain 6.8 vs 123 grain 6.5, tested the longest bullets available in both that still fit the magazine.. and well, ballistically they were the same at 800 yards, 6.8 was better before that, and 6.5 barely inched ahead at 1000... not enough for me to base my decision on ballistics alone, and couldnt ignore the huge aftermarket support, better feeding, and all around better cartridge of the 6.8 SPC, so thats the route i went (im still getting hate mail from those that went with the grendel)

so.. for the long range upper im thinking 18 or 20 inch medium contour barrel, trying to decide nitro carburized or stainless steel.. free float tube drilled out for a top rail, and a short run of rails in the front of the forearm on the sides and bottom, low profile gas block, no forward assist, and i may go with a side charging non reciprocating charging handle... ergo grip... id like to get an A2 stock with an adjustable cheek rest i could install myself, with the side charging handle it could be located wherever i wanted.. but i cant find one in the color scheme im going for, they seem to be black only so probably go with the M4 style which also has an adjustable cheek rest i can add... i need to find a good scope for it

the other will be a piston operated carbine, the advantage of going with the M4 type stock with adjustable cheek rest is it seems well suited to be used with both uppers, same grip, 16" barrel, mid length or carbine gas system and a red dot sight as well as flip up backup sights

so i need to find good optics for this, barrel selection, and a solution for the trigger, id like a crisp, clean 3lb trigger, could i get that by doing a trigger job on a standard trigger group?..

anyway, thats my plan for now... any questions or suggestions?

Hate mail...funny but, not doubted. I get some of that too and just don't understand why.
Bill Springfield does trigger jobs on factory triggers but when you get down to 3 lb you're taking a chance. It really depends on how much you want to spend for other choices. Geissele makes the best triggers on the market IMO, they have several different versions now. Most are 2 stage but they do have a single stage. JP's triggers are among the most popular 3 gun triggers.

[fdxpilot]

i was searching brownells and found these stocks http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2...-15-BUTTSTOCKS .. im going to use this stock, and either drill it out for an adjustable cheek rest, or get a fabric universal cheek rest to strap over it

OR.. im going to buy the mako collapsible stock with adjustable cheek rest for it... one of these two will be my stock, ergo grip, and ill drill out the free float tube to attach rails to where i need them, for a sling and bipod for the long range rifle, and short quad rail for the carbine

Save yourself a few bucks and look here

http://dsgarms.com/Category/321_1/Cavalry_Arms.aspx

For your carbine, I would either get a SOPMOD from B5 (about half the price of the LMT version, and still US Mil approved,) or one of the various Magpul ACS or STR stocks.

[BradL45]

For long range deer hunting in an AR15, a 6.8 or Grendel makes sense.

Using a 20 inch 6.8 ARP barrel and a 110 AB, 2800 fps is easy with AA2200, and others have loaded to 2850. 400 yards plus and the bullet is still expanding.

Using a ARP 18 inch 264, 130 Sciroccos' and CFE powder, I've reached 2500 fps. The Scirocco's are a soft bullet and I'm getting copper fouling.

Both the above rock long distance. The 6.8 load shoots slightly flatter and the Grendel has a little more horse power. Accubond has been more accurate for me.

Lots if good hunting loads available for the 6.8, but hand loading helps for both of these.

SSA-E trigger, you'll smile.

[jason41987]

what about using an M4 carbine type stock for both with adjustable cheek rest?. then i wouldnt have to change anything out on the lower

[jason41987]

ya know.. im holding off on the second upper for a while.. first im going to start with a 16 inch mid-length rifle, and see what i think of the performance of that rifle.. i may not even want something with a longer barrel, so ill just start off with the one for now and focus on that one...

im thinking of maybe going with a side charger, or a monolithic upper if i find anything i like... still 50/50 on the piston idea, 6.8mm for sure... since this will be a general purpose rifle, as well as hunting, im going to get a scope later on... for now, i think ill get a good red dot sight, maybe an eotech since i really like the design of these, big, easy to see through and pretty rugged... and probably get an inexpensive, essentially disposable variable zoom scope as well, just something to get my feet wet in using telescoping optics, to really get a feel for the different times zooms and see what i like at the ranges i prefer to shoot at before dropping the cash on a high end optic

so.. instead of two OK uppers, im just going to put together one extraordinary rifle, and see just what kind of performance i can squeeze from a 16 inch barrel (though theres a 25% chance i may go 18 inch) and see what i have first

[346CI]

If shooting targets at 600+ yards is your goal, you might want to check out some of the 6mm wildcats such as the 6X45, 6mmARP, 6mmBR, etc. All of those are going to rock at long distances. If you want to hunt within 400yds and run a 16" bbl, the 6.8 kicks arse.