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Building AR15

dmaxAl said:
How does your load compare to regular M885?
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Almost everyone who loads will agree that you get much tighter groups than milsurp ammo and slightly better groups than the best match ammo. You will also save a little, especially when you reload the brass. I shot some 65gr SGK the last time I went to the range and had groups that were half as big as milsurp ammo.
 
BLU_G.6K said:
Almost everyone who loads will agree that you get much tighter groups than milsurp ammo and slightly better groups than the best match ammo. You will also save a little, especially when you reload the brass. I shot some 65gr SGK the last time I went to the range and had groups that were half as big as milsurp ammo.
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This I know, I reload for all my bolt guns. Was interested in your velocity and std dev for this particular load. thx.
 
dmaxAl said:
This I know, I reload for all my bolt guns. Was interested in your velocity and std dev for this particular load. thx.
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I still have yet to shoot it through my chrono. The chrono is still in the damn box! :laughing
 
dmaxAl said:
How the hell do you work up a load with the chrono still in the box? :wtf
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For semis I just follow the loading manual and start out in the middle range and look for pressure signs and then work up to max listed load data.

For bolt guns I do pretty much the same except I load various OAL. You don't have to have a chrono to tell if what you are doing is working for you or not.
 
BLU_G.6K said:
So tell me what your process is and what equipment you are using and your best results.
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Same as everyone else. Start low, build up, look for pressure issues, find a load that works for that rifle...

I chrony all my new loads, looking for about 2 sigma deviation. Sometimes too fast is detrimental. The load I'm working on right now is for my 338LM. I have it up to 2950fps, 250gn scenar. Shoots about 3/4 moa. Not happy with this, but the velocities are consistent so it's either me or the gun. More likely me.
 
dmaxAl said:
Same as everyone else. Start low, build up, look for pressure issues, find a load that works for that rifle...

I chrony all my new loads, looking for about 2 sigma deviation. Sometimes too fast is detrimental. The load I'm working on right now is for my 338LM. I have it up to 2950fps, 250gn scenar. Shoots about 3/4 moa. Not happy with this, but the velocities are consistent so it's either me or the gun. More likely me.
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A 338LM is on my wish list. You almost have to load your own if you shoot that round. I do have a Sako 85 Grey Wolf in 338 Federal. The 210 TTSX shoot very well! It's boring to shoot because they're all touching. I use Lapua brass and GM primers and the LVR powder. Table says it should be 26xx fps
 
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I'm trying to decide if I throw down $725 for a complete 18" upper with stainless 1/8 223 wylde barrel to mate to my spikes lower OR throw down $800 for a complete Ar with 18" rainer arms barrel, noveske receiver, DPMS lower, YHM free float.

Problem there is it will leave me with a non-used lower and that is dangerous....cuz I'll want to build another one :teeth
 
BLU_G.6K said:
A 338LM is on my wish list. You almost have to load your own if you shoot that round. I do have a Sako 85 Grey Wolf in 338 Federal. The 210 TTSX shoot very well! It's boring to shoot because they're all touching. I use Lapua brass and GM primers and the LVR powder. Table says it should be 26xx fps
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Cool, now we have ascertained we both know what we are talking about, can we get back on track with the OP and get him an AR?
 
Dubbington said:
I'm trying to decide if I throw down $725 for a complete 18" upper with stainless 1/8 223 wylde barrel to mate to my spikes lower OR throw down $800 for a complete Ar with 18" rainer arms barrel, noveske receiver, DPMS lower, YHM free float.

Problem there is it will leave me with a non-used lower and that is dangerous....cuz I'll want to build another one :teeth
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There is no such thing as an unused lower....
 
dmaxAl said:
Cool, now we have ascertained we both know what we are talking about, can we get back on track with the OP and get him an AR?
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OP's choices are endless. I think a few have given him some great advice.
 
Ratters said:
I got some flat toothed Channel Lock pliers. No need for tape, haven't marred a single receiver since getting them. They're awesome! :thumbup
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I use hammer and a punch.:dunno Nevet had any issues.
 
Or just dont be a cheap ass and order a set of roll pin punches :twofinger

You are going to be building more anyways, you just dont know yet.....
 
Not hating, just curious--my military experience with the M16A1 and A2 was that this basic design is a fragile, hard-to-clean, jamming POS--what's better about the AR-15?
 
Gabe said:
Not hating, just curious--my military experience with the M16A1 and A2 was that this basic design is a fragile, hard-to-clean, jamming POS--what's better about the AR-15?
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It's not an M16 A1/A2? :laughing

Assuming you're not someone whose experience with the M16A1 consisted of Vietnam, I would say that by the time you put hands on an A1 it was a 30+ year old rifle. A4s are the M16s currently in service in Iraq/Afghanistan, and even when I had a newer M4 the fact remained that it had been used and abused by the time I got it. I did get a chance to handle a few brand new M4s in 2009 and there's a world of difference just between the "few years old as abused by previous soldiers" and "brand new with factory packaging oil slathered all over the inside of the plastic wrapping".

New changes to magazine springs, followers, bodies, etc have improved reliability as well. The gas tube is the hardest and most PITA area to clean around in my opinion, which is why I'm a big fan of piston uppers. New extractor and bolt designs also help with reliability issues. :dunno it's still a very ergonomic platform to shoot from.
 
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NorCalAthlete said:
It's not an M16 A1/A2? :laughing

Assuming you're not someone whose experience with the M16A1 consisted of Vietnam, I would say that by the time you put hands on an A1 it was a 30+ year old rifle. A4s are the M16s currently in service in Iraq/Afghanistan, and even when I had a newer M4 the fact remained that it had been used and abused by the time I got it. I did get a chance to handle a few brand new M4s in 2009 and there's a world of difference just between the "few years old as abused by previous soldiers" and "brand new with factory packaging oil slathered all over the inside of the plastic wrapping".

New changes to magazine springs, followers, bodies, etc have improved reliability as well. The gas tube is the hardest and most PITA area to clean around in my opinion, which is why I'm a big fan of piston uppers. New extractor and bolt designs also help with reliability issues. :dunno it's still a very ergonomic platform to shoot from.
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I used A1s in the Nastynal Guard in the 90s and newish A2s in the USMC in the late 80s-early 90s. I do remember the magazines being a lot of trouble, but I think the basic AR-15 design was flawed from the start--forward assist lever? Really?--and the Pentagon has kept buying them because of contractual obligations or whatever. Sure, they work fine if you maintain them properly, but in dusty, shitty conditions--combat conditions--it's a hassle. I was a heavy machine gunner, but I'd be nervous to depend on one of those to protect my life...
 
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