Thinking about building my own...talk me in/out of it?!

B

B. Miller

New member
After selling my DDM4V3 almost 2 years ago when times were tough, I am ready to start procuring my next toy.

I am considering going down the slippery, slippery of slope of building my own AR. My cousin did it last year and it seems like a fun "hobby."

I am looking to spend around $2,500 on the gun itself (not optics), but have been debating buying an already assembled gun from a manufacturer like my trusted Daniel Defense. What I'm also debating is what caliber I should do? Should I change it from 5.56 to, say, 6.5 Creedmor? I love that idea. Speaking of loving, I LOVE the look of Wilson Combat's new " Ultimate Hunter ." But is it really worth the money?

What I would love to hear from you are the following:

1) What manufacturers can you recommend for the different parts/accessories I will need? Tools are already accounted for, so I am particularly interested in recommendations on uppers/lowers, barrel, trigger, etc. The cosmetics I can worry about later.

2) Caliber! The 6.5 CM is tempting, but since I don't reload at the moment, the cost of shooting is a concern I need to look into.

3) Am I crazy? I think the main reason I want to go DIY is that you can match the quality of a manufacturer like Knights Armament, Wilson, DD, BCM, Noveske, etc, without spending an arm and a leg. That's what I'm looking to accomplish. And, in the process, I think I will have a lot of fun doing it
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4) Where are good places to shop for parts?

Thanks for any and all help you provide. I would like to have fun with the thread, and feel free to include builds of your own, listing parts/prices when possible.

(Mods, I am putting this in the Firearms sections just because it seems to get more traffic; if it's really a big deal, I am very sorry and understand if it needs to be moved to the AR section)

UPDATE: I am now leaning towards the Grendel instead of CM
 
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Wow I checked out the link, an I don't see north of 3k there. You could build that for 1500 probably with good parts.

You are apparently looking at the large platform by going 6.5 CM. There's less options than the small platform but still lots to look at. BHW makes CM barrels, and even have some in stock at truesportingarmsllc.com. Or talk to Ritch Johnson and order one just how you want it. Also looks like Wilson Combat sells the barrels. And Midway, and a whole bunch of others.

I would try Aero for a receiver set but there are a bunch of those out there also.

Bolts, if going CM I would go JP's HP bolt. It uses a smaller diameter firing pin than the standard. It's my understanding this helps eliminate pierced primers that can be a problem with heavier bullets in the CM and 260. I have that problem with my 300 Saum. It's fine with lighter bullets but go heavier than 168's and you'll poke holes in some primers. Yes even with cci34's.

Use an adjustable gas block IMO, I like clamp on vs set screw style.

Handguards and stocks, take your pick, as well as triggers. Lots of good options.

That's really all there is to it. And you probably know that the large platform isn't going to be a light weight rifle.
 
RPG(Rich's Prescion Guns) a sponsor here builds a very nice firearm. If you look at the past Egg Shoot guns they have been built by him.

The 6.5 Creedmore is a large cartridge, AR-10 platform, the 6.5 Grendel is in the AR-15.
 
Originally Posted By: AWSRPG(Rich's Prescion Guns) a sponsor here builds a very nice firearm. If you look at the past Egg Shoot guns they have been built by him.

The 6.5 Creedmore is a large cartridge, AR-10 platform, the 6.5 Grendel is in the AR-15.

He builds great uppers but unfortunately does not do the large frame 10's. This is mainly as a result of lack of industry consistency and standardization being nin-existent with them.

Greg
 
Thanks for the replies thus far!

Originally Posted By: 204 ARWow I checked out the link, an I don't see north of 3k there. You could build that for 1500 probably with good parts.

You are apparently looking at the large platform by going 6.5 CM. There's less options than the small platform but still lots to look at. BHW makes CM barrels, and even have some in stock at truesportingarmsllc.com. Or talk to Ritch Johnson and order one just how you want it. Also looks like Wilson Combat sells the barrels. And Midway, and a whole bunch of others.

I would try Aero for a receiver set but there are a bunch of those out there also.

Bolts, if going CM I would go JP's HP bolt. It uses a smaller diameter firing pin than the standard. It's my understanding this helps eliminate pierced primers that can be a problem with heavier bullets in the CM and 260. I have that problem with my 300 Saum. It's fine with lighter bullets but go heavier than 168's and you'll poke holes in some primers. Yes even with cci34's.

Use an adjustable gas block IMO, I like clamp on vs set screw style.

Handguards and stocks, take your pick, as well as triggers. Lots of good options.

That's really all there is to it. And you probably know that the large platform isn't going to be a light weight rifle.

How heavy are we talking?

I haven't made my mind up on a CM or large-platform AR yet, just don't want to limit my options
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Thanks for the recommendations. I will be checking them out shortly!


Originally Posted By: AWSRPG(Rich's Prescion Guns) a sponsor here builds a very nice firearm. If you look at the past Egg Shoot guns they have been built by him.

The 6.5 Creedmore is a large cartridge, AR-10 platform, the 6.5 Grendel is in the AR-15. Originally Posted By: GLShooterOriginally Posted By: AWSRPG(Rich's Prescion Guns) a sponsor here builds a very nice firearm. If you look at the past Egg Shoot guns they have been built by him.

The 6.5 Creedmore is a large cartridge, AR-10 platform, the 6.5 Grendel is in the AR-15.

He builds great uppers but unfortunately does not do the large frame 10's. This is mainly as a result of lack of industry consistency and standardization being nin-existent with them.

Greg

Thanks guys. If I decide to go with an AR-15 platform I will definitely keep RPG in mind.

While I know that ultimately the decision is mine, I would love to hear/see what people have and the reasoning behind their selections.
 
I can't give you a weight but they are big and bulky. You can make them lighter with slim or carbon fiber float tubes and such. I made a 243 that was manageable. But the bolt carrier itself is almost twice as heavy it seems, and receivers are maybe 30 to 50% bigger/heavier, the barrel extension is much bigger/heavier.

The exceptions are the dpms G2, and I guess the new Savage one is scaled down also. That might be how I'd go since they offer a CM. Using factory ammo limits the choices as there are a lot of great wildcats available in the ar15 as well as the wssm rounds.
 
Originally Posted By: 204 ARI can't give you a weight but they are big and bulky. You can make them lighter with slim or carbon fiber float tubes and such. I made a 243 that was manageable. But the bolt carrier itself is almost twice as heavy it seems, and receivers are maybe 30 to 50% bigger/heavier, the barrel extension is much bigger/heavier.

The exceptions are the dpms G2, and I guess the new Savage one is scaled down also. That might be how I'd go since they offer a CM. Using factory ammo limits the choices as there are a lot of great wildcats available in the ar15 as well as the wssm rounds.

Given that I don't plan on shooting out to 1,000 yards, maybe I will take baby steps and look more into the Grendel!!
 
I just weighed a DPMS style 308 24" I built at 11.4 with a Leu 4X12 and magazine. I weighed a bull barrel 243 LBC 20" at 10.4 with a big Vortex and my American 30 18" gun with a 3X9 and ACE stock at 8.0 Picking your barrel profile on the AR and some parts selection makes 8 pounds an easy mark for a usable rifle.

I love truck axle barrels so I have lots of them on my uppers but an 11 pound AR15 feels much different than a some weight AR10 to me. My 243 LBC bull barrel AR with 2 pounds of lead in the butt weighs in at 14 pounds. I'd like to bump that a bunch but there's no way to do that.

My 458 SOCOM in fighting trim comes in at 7.5 pounds thanks to a unique barrel from BHW. It is carry a lot and should a bit type deal but If I ever get to drop the hammer on something big and close I'll be glad to be packing it. There are two in Alaska right now that Ritch built that guides are carrying. God bruin medicine.

Greg
 
Do you walk with guns that heavy?

As of now this is mostly going to be a range/fun gun. My camp is outside of Pittsburgh (Armstrong County), but I am currently living near Philadelphia. I wouldn't be surprised if I end up out West in the next few years. That's where my heart belongs. If that really is the case, maybe it could become a hunting companion, so I am going to keep weight in mind.
 
I hunt prairie dogs and long range paper. PD hunting is stroll across the cactus prairie up north. I do add a bipod to them out there so 11-12 is average.

My long range match guns are as heavy as I can get but it's prone off a rest and bags. My run and gun match gear runs about 8 pounds with a bipod. I shoot 233 and 6X45. In police olympic sniper matches my 6X45 does it all. It goes 8.5 with two optics.

I do have light versions of everything I shoot so if it's heading to the woods it'll be less than 9 pounds.

Greg
 
That sounds fun! I'm jealous. I'm going to shoot for around 8.5ish# all said and done, I guess?

I'm starting to get scared. I think I need to stop researching for the night.

I keep reading about issues with "head space" between the barrel and bolt being matched properly. How do I do that?! Please excuse my ignorance. I really want to learn, I promise!

I've also read that it's cheaper to buy a BCG for a 5.56 and just swap out bolt for a Grendel. What's a fair amount to spend on a BCG?
 
Quality manufacturers rarely have issues with head space any more. Computer driven machines really help. In an AR the tolerance is enough that I've never seen one out of spec. You get what you get and it can't be changed much. Dropping s reamer in a short chamber can be problematic as different reamers are different sized. They may ruin the chamber. Supposedly all barrels will be checked at the production site so few bad ones get through.

Usable bcgs can be had for S75.00. Grtdcs 9310 steel bolt. Young Manufacturing id my favorite at this time. Not cheap. Avoid Underground Tactical and Sutplas Arms.

Greg
 
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I really like my PTG. You can get one built nice for a reasonable price tag. They also make an ar10 now so a creedmore should not be out of the question.
 
Thanks for the recommendations, guys!

Originally Posted By: GLShooterQuality manufacturers rarely have issues with head space any more. Computer driven machines really help. In an AR the tolerance is enough that I've never seen one out of spec. You get what you get and it can't be changed much. Dropping s reamer in a short chamber can be problematic as different reamers are different sized. They may ruin the chamber. Supposedly all barrels will be checked at the production site so few bad ones get through.

Usable bcgs can be had for S75.00. Grtdcs 9310 steel bolt. Young Manufacturing id my favorite at this time. Not cheap. Avoid Underground Tactical and Sutplas Arms.

Greg

I have looked before for Young Man. parts and can't find any. Do you know of any places that have them in stock, or keep checking their website, etc?

Also, do you recommend their bolt, or the whole BCG?
 
Originally Posted By: B. MillerThanks for the recommendations, guys!

Originally Posted By: GLShooterQuality manufacturers rarely have issues with head space any more. Computer driven machines really help. In an AR the tolerance is enough that I've never seen one out of spec. You get what you get and it can't be changed much. Dropping s reamer in a short chamber can be problematic as different reamers are different sized. They may ruin the chamber. Supposedly all barrels will be checked at the production site so few bad ones get through.

Usable bcgs can be had for S75.00. Grtdcs 9310 steel bolt. Young Manufacturing id my favorite at this time. Not cheap. Avoid Underground Tactical and Sutplas Arms.

Greg

I have looked before for Young Man. parts and can't find any. Do you know of any places that have them in stock, or keep checking their website, etc?

Also, do you recommend their bolt, or the whole BCG?

https://youngmanufacturing.net/product-category/bolts-and-bolt-carrier-components/6-5-grendel/
This is for a type 2 Grendel barrel. Out of stock. FYI I paid $125 for one of these last spring direct from them. Ouch I'm glad they came down.

https://youngmanufacturing.net/product/chrome-bolt-7-62-x-39/
This is for a type 1 Grendel, or BHW 264lbc. Same case, same diameter, etc. It's just a difference of 11 thousandths bolt face depth.

Most on the market now use the type 2 including the original Alexander Arms. I would get whichever one of these bolts your barrel choice requires and a fairly generic carrier. Another option:
http://www.monmouthreloading.com/product...turer=toolcraft

I've heard of Toolcraft bolts as being good but can't verify. This is a blowout price for sure.

Rainier shows some Young stuff but their bolts are out of stock and more expensive than direct from Young anyway. JSE surplus has some young stuff also including the round float tubes.
 
Originally Posted By: 204 AROriginally Posted By: B. MillerThanks for the recommendations, guys!

Originally Posted By: GLShooterQuality manufacturers rarely have issues with head space any more. Computer driven machines really help. In an AR the tolerance is enough that I've never seen one out of spec. You get what you get and it can't be changed much. Dropping s reamer in a short chamber can be problematic as different reamers are different sized. They may ruin the chamber. Supposedly all barrels will be checked at the production site so few bad ones get through.

Usable bcgs can be had for S75.00. Grtdcs 9310 steel bolt. Young Manufacturing id my favorite at this time. Not cheap. Avoid Underground Tactical and Sutplas Arms.

Greg

I have looked before for Young Man. parts and can't find any. Do you know of any places that have them in stock, or keep checking their website, etc?

Also, do you recommend their bolt, or the whole BCG?

https://youngmanufacturing.net/product-category/bolts-and-bolt-carrier-components/6-5-grendel/
This is for a type 2 Grendel barrel. Out of stock. FYI I paid $125 for one of these last spring direct from them. Ouch I'm glad they came down.

https://youngmanufacturing.net/product/chrome-bolt-7-62-x-39/
This is for a type 1 Grendel, or BHW 264lbc. Same case, same diameter, etc. It's just a difference of 11 thousandths bolt face depth.

Most on the market now use the type 2 including the original Alexander Arms. I would get whichever one of these bolts your barrel choice requires and a fairly generic carrier. Another option:
http://www.monmouthreloading.com/product...turer=toolcraft

I've heard of Toolcraft bolts as being good but can't verify. This is a blowout price for sure.

Rainier shows some Young stuff but their bolts are out of stock and more expensive than direct from Young anyway. JSE surplus has some young stuff also including the round float tubes.

Thanks again. As long as the wait time isn't obnoxious in finding one, I am ok just getting a Young Manuf. I don't hear anything bad about them.

As far as Grendel 1 or Grendel 2...well, that just added another element of confusion
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