This will be the running story of an attempt at building a budget ~600 meter .223 on beer-influenced "sale" prices.
Why does a rifle come into this world from one part?
I'm new to trying to build for "precision." As I get older I realize I'm not as spry as I used to be on close range rifle work and uncle sugar ain't paying the ammo bill anymore...time to pivot skill sets.
Parts list:
---Upper
- Larue 20 inch A3 (rifle barrel extension) 1/8 stealth barrel ($135 shipped) *** this is what fueled all of this ***
- Unknown no M4 feed ramp upper left over from around 2009-2010, has a key mark (laying around)
- JP clamp on adjustable gas block (laying around)
- Aero BCG, bought used "NIB" ($80)
- MI rail ($160)
- YHM kurz QD barky boi brake cause I don't like neighbors at the range ($71)
- loctite 609 ($9)
- wheeler upper receiver true..er thing (amazon gift card so free)
- anti seize (laying around and fuck it's still everywhere)
- Rifle gas tube (laying around)
- SWFA 10x SS (bought used for $200 around 2019)
- Vortex SPR mount (I legitimately do not know / remember where this came from but I don't remember buying it so we're calling it free)
- charging handle (laying around)
---Lower
- Larue Ar-15 lower ($135 + $15 FFL transfer fee)
- A2 stock complete with spraaaang, buffer etc (laying around)
- A2 grip; I actually had to buy this. Hate me if you must, but A2 grips are tits ($7.99)
- Larue MBT trigger on dumb sale though I don't really like the straight trigger ($60)
Total-ish $900
Build Process:
All parts were de-greased with brake cleaner prior to install*
Started with the wheeler upper action lapping tool. Pretty straight forward; get a nice even ring of silver around the mating surface of the barrel shoulder.
and then ...
go / no-go tested the bolt
and then ...
Mounted the upper and the barrel in the internal action block (looks like the wheeler delta). Applied anti-seize grease on the upper threads and loctite 609 on the barrel exention to torque the MI barrel nut to 40 ft/lbs 3x times (loosening and tightening) before hitting the clicker twice on the respective 4th and 5th times. Took it off the action block and let it rest upside down to set for a few hours.
and then ...
Installed the gas tube in the JP gas block and mounted it to the barrel. Made sure the gas tube didn't contact the upper receiver, used a feeler gauge with .025 for the offset per the jp instructions, torqued the four bolts to 20 inch/lbs. The adjustable gas block is tuned all the way down with one full roation out. I know I will have to mess with this when I start zero'ing. I've never had an adjustable gas block but the instuctions and the corresponding tools are stuffed in the A2 buttstock so even I can't fuck this next range trip up.
and then ...
Cranked the MI handguard retention bolts to 40 in/lbs. Not rocket science.
and then ...
Installed the budget boy 10x SS with the vortex mount to 20 in/lbs. Still level, no need to re-level the optic.
Ammo:
I'll be sending some 55, 62, 69, 75, 77 grain factory ammo but more interested if my pet load will shoot.
Pet load (avg 1.1 -ish MOA):
HNDY 75gr HPBT
LC mixed HS
24.1 gr TAC
Win #41 5.56 primers
Mag seating depth
Also going to try what I have on hand for a "heavy" .223 load: Acc 2495, VV N140, Varget, Benchmark
Feedback for build / other tips appreciated
ETA: I'm going to try to only respond in this thread after couple of beers to keep the spirit of the build alive.
Why does a rifle come into this world from one part?
I'm new to trying to build for "precision." As I get older I realize I'm not as spry as I used to be on close range rifle work and uncle sugar ain't paying the ammo bill anymore...time to pivot skill sets.
Parts list:
---Upper
- Larue 20 inch A3 (rifle barrel extension) 1/8 stealth barrel ($135 shipped) *** this is what fueled all of this ***
- Unknown no M4 feed ramp upper left over from around 2009-2010, has a key mark (laying around)
- JP clamp on adjustable gas block (laying around)
- Aero BCG, bought used "NIB" ($80)
- MI rail ($160)
- YHM kurz QD barky boi brake cause I don't like neighbors at the range ($71)
- loctite 609 ($9)
- wheeler upper receiver true..er thing (amazon gift card so free)
- anti seize (laying around and fuck it's still everywhere)
- Rifle gas tube (laying around)
- SWFA 10x SS (bought used for $200 around 2019)
- Vortex SPR mount (I legitimately do not know / remember where this came from but I don't remember buying it so we're calling it free)
- charging handle (laying around)
---Lower
- Larue Ar-15 lower ($135 + $15 FFL transfer fee)
- A2 stock complete with spraaaang, buffer etc (laying around)
- A2 grip; I actually had to buy this. Hate me if you must, but A2 grips are tits ($7.99)
- Larue MBT trigger on dumb sale though I don't really like the straight trigger ($60)
Total-ish $900
Build Process:
All parts were de-greased with brake cleaner prior to install*
Started with the wheeler upper action lapping tool. Pretty straight forward; get a nice even ring of silver around the mating surface of the barrel shoulder.
and then ...
go / no-go tested the bolt
and then ...
Mounted the upper and the barrel in the internal action block (looks like the wheeler delta). Applied anti-seize grease on the upper threads and loctite 609 on the barrel exention to torque the MI barrel nut to 40 ft/lbs 3x times (loosening and tightening) before hitting the clicker twice on the respective 4th and 5th times. Took it off the action block and let it rest upside down to set for a few hours.
and then ...
Installed the gas tube in the JP gas block and mounted it to the barrel. Made sure the gas tube didn't contact the upper receiver, used a feeler gauge with .025 for the offset per the jp instructions, torqued the four bolts to 20 inch/lbs. The adjustable gas block is tuned all the way down with one full roation out. I know I will have to mess with this when I start zero'ing. I've never had an adjustable gas block but the instuctions and the corresponding tools are stuffed in the A2 buttstock so even I can't fuck this next range trip up.
and then ...
Cranked the MI handguard retention bolts to 40 in/lbs. Not rocket science.
and then ...
Installed the budget boy 10x SS with the vortex mount to 20 in/lbs. Still level, no need to re-level the optic.
Ammo:
I'll be sending some 55, 62, 69, 75, 77 grain factory ammo but more interested if my pet load will shoot.
Pet load (avg 1.1 -ish MOA):
HNDY 75gr HPBT
LC mixed HS
24.1 gr TAC
Win #41 5.56 primers
Mag seating depth
Also going to try what I have on hand for a "heavy" .223 load: Acc 2495, VV N140, Varget, Benchmark
Feedback for build / other tips appreciated
ETA: I'm going to try to only respond in this thread after couple of beers to keep the spirit of the build alive.
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