AR uppers
- Thread starter Lazer32
- Start date
Sprinkman
Well-known member
I have an ATHERIS upper in 6.5 Gendel, and love it. It shoots sub moa at 100 yards using factory Hornady 123 ELD's or SST's.
I also recently purchased an ODIN Works 6.5 Grendel and love it as well. So far, it seems to be a tack driver.
ATHERIS has the 6ARC, and ODIN has both the 6ARC and the 22ARC. Both fit MIL Spec lowers.
I also recently purchased an ODIN Works 6.5 Grendel and love it as well. So far, it seems to be a tack driver.
ATHERIS has the 6ARC, and ODIN has both the 6ARC and the 22ARC. Both fit MIL Spec lowers.
That's good info. I've never been a fan of proprietary systems in general.
Bowhntr6pt
Well-known member
I put together a 6mm ARC upper using a very affordable Ballistic Advantage barrel. Shoots very good and kills on contact.
The 22 ARC is on the "to build" list once brass is readily available.
Right now, I'd go 6mm ARC.
The 22 ARC is on the "to build" list once brass is readily available.
Right now, I'd go 6mm ARC.
@alf I like this idea but I know less about AR barrels than I do about AR uppers. I've built bolt actions before and I'm a prolific reloader but before starting to coyote hunt I had never given a single thought to AR uppers. I have an AR and it shots, were about as far as I had gotten. It just seems like there are an endless supply of manufactures and everyone claims to be the system you are going to want and need. When I look at the market it seems to me that the "tactical" side of selling AR's dominates the selling points and leaves little discussion about what's actually practical and useful. I'm too much of a technical nerd to take things at face value. I want to know the technical aspects about why a design is better and what makes it better. Finally, I want to know that it's going to do what it claims. I figure first hand experience and talking to people is going to be the best way to gather this final part.
alf
Well-known member
Shortly after the 6 ARC came out, I bought an upper from Brownells.
600 rounds later, after trying multiple combinations of bullets & powders, I returned it.
So I bought another. 600 rounds later I finally found a half ass combo that shot OK....then I sold it.
I believe these were BA barrels at the time.
Third choice was a Ranier Arms Ultra Match barrel, which is a Shilen. Didn't take long to find a load that shot 1/2 MOA or so.
Ended up selling it, as it was a 22" tube, & I had my 1st suppressor on the way, & didn't want to slum a 30" barrel.
My last 3 AR barrels have come from X-Caliber. At this time, I wouldn't look anywhere else.
Priced right, short lead times, and shoot great.
600 rounds later, after trying multiple combinations of bullets & powders, I returned it.
So I bought another. 600 rounds later I finally found a half ass combo that shot OK....then I sold it.
I believe these were BA barrels at the time.
Third choice was a Ranier Arms Ultra Match barrel, which is a Shilen. Didn't take long to find a load that shot 1/2 MOA or so.
Ended up selling it, as it was a 22" tube, & I had my 1st suppressor on the way, & didn't want to slum a 30" barrel.
My last 3 AR barrels have come from X-Caliber. At this time, I wouldn't look anywhere else.
Priced right, short lead times, and shoot great.
X Caliber has 22 & 6 ARC. I have 300AAC McGowan (custom) and Kak off-the-shelf, decent middle $ range stuff. I've been happy with Aero upper and SLR adjustable gas block. Timmney or CMC drop in trigger. None of mine have a dust cover. Many places to get the pins and screws to put one together. I don't shoot long range - too old and unstable.
alf
Well-known member
I have built three uppers with these Gibbz side charge uppers, I'm a fan. If you hunt around, about $250 will buy one.
G4 Side Charging Upper Receiver – Right Handed - Gibbz Arms
Click HERE for instructions on how to change the cam pin.
gibbzarms.com
All have Supurlative adjustable gas blocks:
Superlative Arms .750" Adjustable Gas Block, Bleed Off - Solid, Stainless Steel, Matte Finish
Stainless, solid (set screw) patented “Bleed Off”, gas block for the AR15 platform adjusts the gas flow by bleeding the gas out of the block instead of restricting flow like conventional adjustable blocks.
www.bauer-precision.com
All have Toolcraft DLC coated bolt carrier groups:
Toolcraft 6.5 Grendel / 6mm ARC Bolt Carrier Group - DLC
Toolcraft 6.5 Grendel / 6mm ARC Bolt Carrier Group - DLC - TC65GBCGDLC, Best Prices and Fast Shipping at Arm or Ally!
www.armorally.com
This is just what I used, not saying the components are the best, worst, or somewhere in between.
They have just flat out worked for me, one in 22 DTI, one in 6x6.8 SPC, one in 223 Rem.
Hand guards are all over the map in price and somewhat subjective when it come to favorites.
You can save a little to buy what you can from one place to save on shipping.
I do have an extra, real nice Seekins hand guard in the classifieds for sale if that appeals to you.
I've been learning about AR uppers the last few days. I've taken a look at the X-caliber barrels and there are a lot of parameters that I am not sure how to select. For example the contour. Normally I just select a "competition" contour when I buy Proof prefits, but here there are several numbers that I imagine are measurements at different points on the barrel. I'm not sure how to go about picking the right numbers.
For the gas system I chose mid length since I will probably run an 18" barrel and a suppresor. Not sure how to choose gas block journal length. I've tried Google but I can't really fine a good explanation on it yet. Finally, I think 8 twist would work? Thoughts?
For the gas system I chose mid length since I will probably run an 18" barrel and a suppresor. Not sure how to choose gas block journal length. I've tried Google but I can't really fine a good explanation on it yet. Finally, I think 8 twist would work? Thoughts?
Hunter55
Active member
I built an Aero Precision in a 6.5 CM with a heavy contour 22" barrel with the goal of shooting Sub MOA. The upper and lower delivered on sub accuracy with no problem and reliability was was outstanding. However, this build was for a range gun and I wouldn't build an AR upper with a heavy contour barrel, to heavy to tote around IMO, 13 1/2 lbs at this point in my life isn't fun. For the money Aero uppers deliver on a good coyote rifle
Look at the contour/threading dropdown, except for larger cals, not much choice. Thread size to match your muzzle device. Heavy contour on larger cal gives a stiffer barrel but more weight. Superlative GB is about an inch - my AR10 rifle barrel came with a huge (long) gas block but the carbine was smaller. You want the .750 GB jounal. You could just call them with question. And have them H.S. to their bolt (get complete GBC/bolt from them). Then you need a reaction bar (or upper clamp box), torque wrench and pin punch set. Might ask if you provide the upper and hand guard, will they assemble for you? IIRC McGown did that for 10$. It's still an upper so no FFL needed. I have the tools and built my others.
bohunr
Active member
what about a barrel from wilson combat ? i bought a 20" super sniper barrel from then in 223 wylde, i've shot 1/2 groups at 200 yards using factory federal 53 grain v-max
wilsoncombat.com
5 star reviews (i dunno)
6mm ARC AR Barrels - Wilson Combat
Wilson Combat has been the innovator in custom pistols, long guns, and accessories since 1977. Home of the Wilson Combat 1911, EDC X9, WCP320, and more!
wilsoncombat.com
5 star reviews (i dunno)
spotstalkshoot
Well-known member
For a hunting build, you likely will want a lower weight barrel, 20" max for running suppressed.
Light weight profile, has a .750 gas block diameter. The journal length, if you know the gb you will use measure the length. Usually the large diameter barrels use longer gb(gas block). Mid length rifle(get the correct gas tube) allows for a shorter hand guard. If you need/want an almost barrel length hand guard, you can go rifle length. Just make sure you can access the gas block if you choose an adjustable-wise for a suppressed rifle.
Light weight profile, has a .750 gas block diameter. The journal length, if you know the gb you will use measure the length. Usually the large diameter barrels use longer gb(gas block). Mid length rifle(get the correct gas tube) allows for a shorter hand guard. If you need/want an almost barrel length hand guard, you can go rifle length. Just make sure you can access the gas block if you choose an adjustable-wise for a suppressed rifle.
Dane G
New member
My vote would be 6 ARC for it's versatility. Can shoot 58 grain vmax at 3400 fps (hand loaded) or heavier stuff like 108 ELDM's for whitetail sized game. I see you stated your suppressor is .22 cal so that seems to be the determining factor here and guessing your going 22 ARC then? A lot of good info in here already so I'll try and just add too it from what I've learned. My knowledge is mostly based around 6 ARC but i think it applies to 22 ARC as well. I went down this road of wanting to build a 6 ARC gas gun and researched and gained a ton of knowledge. Then realized i just wanted the simplicity of a bolt gun so i said screw it and bought a howa 6 ARC barreled action from brownells. I put it in a stocky's carbon vg stock and it shoots great! I'll still build a 6 ARC gas gun some day and will slowly acquire the pieces to do so.
I see x-caliber barrels have been mentioned and are highly praised.
I've also seen people have good results with ranier arms and craddock RTR barrels. These are more on the budget friendly side imo but still yield good results. If you plan on shooting suppressed you want a rifle length gas system for 16"-18" barrels. Midlength will be over gassed
www.rainierarms.com
craddockprecision.com
Seems like most of the other components have been covered pretty well already. I'll add BCM sells a blem upper receiver for a steal. I've used them with great success. They are thermal fit so no lapping of the upper is necessary.
bravocompanyusa.com
Also don't overlook the buffer system. In many cases it seems it is necessary to play with springs and weights to get a 6 ARC tuned properly.
Like you've mentioned there is tons and tons of info and manufactures out there. It takes time to digest it all.
Here's a video from brownells i found helpful for building AR's
Here's a great watch or listen for learning about tuning AR's from the Hornady podcast
and if you want to drool over some amazing AR builds check out BRD Gun works
good luck
I see x-caliber barrels have been mentioned and are highly praised.
I've also seen people have good results with ranier arms and craddock RTR barrels. These are more on the budget friendly side imo but still yield good results. If you plan on shooting suppressed you want a rifle length gas system for 16"-18" barrels. Midlength will be over gassed
Rainier Arms Match 6mm ARC AR-15 Barrel - 18\\\
Satisfaction Guarantee We are so confident in our barrels that we offer a 100% money back guarantee within 90 days of purchase. If our barrels don’t meet or exceed your expectations, for any reason, return it for a full refund.
www.rainierarms.com
RTR 6mm ARC 18"
craddockprecision.com
Seems like most of the other components have been covered pretty well already. I'll add BCM sells a blem upper receiver for a steal. I've used them with great success. They are thermal fit so no lapping of the upper is necessary.
BCM® Upper Receiver - M4 Flat Top (M4 Feedramps) Complete (Unassembled) - DEMO/Scratched
Fully Assembled, with round forward assist and ejection port cover, and T-Markings laser etched into receiver. This receiver has the M4 feedramps machined in.
bravocompanyusa.com
Also don't overlook the buffer system. In many cases it seems it is necessary to play with springs and weights to get a 6 ARC tuned properly.
Like you've mentioned there is tons and tons of info and manufactures out there. It takes time to digest it all.
Here's a video from brownells i found helpful for building AR's
Here's a great watch or listen for learning about tuning AR's from the Hornady podcast
and if you want to drool over some amazing AR builds check out BRD Gun works
good luck
