Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Build Help?

Hello all,

I am looking at building my first AR and want to apologize because I am sure these quesstions are asked many times.

I bought an Armalite lower several years ago and now want to build the gun. Here are my questions:

Does it matter if it is a 223 vs 5.56 upper? Accuracy?

What rate of twist? 1 in 7? Opinions?

This will be a good start and thanks.


ddj

I'd go with the 5.56 chamber and a 1:9 twist... 9 twists is a good all around twist for most bullets up to 70 gr.

You'll be better off with a 5.56 chamber. I like a 1-9 twist, a 1-7 will limit you to the long heavy bullets only. Free float the barrel and if benchrest type accuracy is your main concern try to find a barrel that's not chrome lined.

Thanks guys.

What is the lightest bullet I could get consistent accurate results with in a 1 in 7 twist?


ddj

One, Armalite is having a sale right now:

http://www.armalite.com/Categories.aspx?Category=743b16c0-8a5a-4289-aae9-b1023636dc54

I just ordered a SASS upper for my AR10 yesterday, the price was the best I have seen.

two, Here's my first 5 shot group with a Armalite 15T 1:8 barrel, that I installed:



loads were 77 grain Federal match ammo. I am quite eager to try some lighter loads for hunting in it. Lots of guys here hunt deer with fast twist .223's, and none complain about the accuracy.

No hesitation recommending Armalite stuff for your lower.

I have a 1:7 barrel and it shoots 40gr V-max into 3/4" 5 shot groups at 100 yards. It likes the heavier bullets better but I'm trying to find a cheaper prairie dog bullet. Fiocci 40 and 50 grain bullets shoot just fine for 300ish yard shots.

I would be happy with minute of coyote at 300 yards. I am mainly looking for a a truck gun but also something that gives me a few "cool" points with my son.


ddj

I got a varmint upper from these guys and it is a shooter.
http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/
check out their new website. Call them with any questions and they can make it how you want it.

55 grain Vmax gets a lot of thumbs up for accuracy and effectiveness on varmints from many people here and they should work just fine in a 1:7 twist rifle. Just test them out first to see what works in your weapon. The best part is that cartridges with 55 grain bullets can be loaded to fit in the magazine with no problem.

I have two AR's. One is my varmint/competition rifle. (If I ever get into competition that is) and the other is a carbine with a 16 inch barrel. I am thinking of adding a short picatinny rail to the bottom of the standard handguard on my carbine so I can install a foregrip. My son says I have to do at least something like that to be "cool".

This is close to what I'm thinking about.

Yep, the fallacy of the fast twist raises its head again from those that don't know..

I run a few 6.5 twists and shot 52s in them a LOT. It would uncork a thin skinned 60 or 64 but if it wasn't a varmint bullet, it shot em fine.

7 twists I"ve shot everything down to 50s just fine.

I've never seen a 1/7 twisted gun that wouldn't shoot 50gr NBT's and I would imagine they'd shoot 40 as well but I don't have any of them anymore. I did however shoot some 45gr Winchester white box HP's in a couple with no problems. 1/9 is a lie sold by the same folks who give you a 1/14 22-250.

Same as above. I shoot a 1:7, and shoot the cheapest 55gr manufactured ammo nearly as well as the 62gr out to 200yds.

For me: at 100yds and shorter, the difference isn't even worth noting..

1 in 7" or 1 in 8" would be my choices. For the chamber I'd look for a .223 Wylde.

Terry