• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

New build choices SBR or 16-18"

806guns

Supporter
Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 17, 2020
519
202
Texas
Looking at building a SBR or something around 16-18". I have a 22" 6mm Arc and a 20" 223. I have a 77gr smk load that works well but was curious if i built a arc shooting 75gr would be better than building another 223. I solely reload and have brass, powder etc, omponents arent an issue. What would you do ?
 
If you might hunt with it, try a short ARC - I imagine the extra charge and lower BC would cancel each other out pretty quickly in a 75gr 6mm vs a 77gr 223 though, but you could always go with heavier pills. Or buy some more dies and components and do a HAM'R or BO or 375 SOCOM etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 806guns
Fun gun out to 5-600 yards. And the occasional night hunting.
 
18" is going to be really similar in terms of performance and handling to your 20", so I would hold off on that length for now. I'd opt for a 14-16" general purpose gun to start, and build a 10-12" SBR later.
 
^ I am just trying to justify my purchase of a Knights Armament in 11.5" to myself. You do you and get what you want.
You need to stop that crazy talk right now, you could get a lot of people in trouble with KAC news like that, damn. Off to Brownells.

Oh build a lightweight 16' inch gun with LPVO and shoot those 77's out to BFE.

PB
 
You need to stop that crazy talk right now, you could get a lot of people in trouble with KAC news like that, damn. Off to Brownells.

Oh build a lightweight 16' inch gun with LPVO and shoot those 77's out to BFE.

PB
I built this one with a 16"
IMG_1231.jpg
 
This^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Avoid the cost & hassle of an SBR...........the utility of a shorter barrel on anything but a BO is just not really worth over the it over a 14.5" P&W'd.

Great all around size.

MM
 
So looks like im going with a 16" 6mm Arc barrel.
My post above I just edited but that speed is with 55 grain in my 556 just to be clear. But speeds will be similar loss with barrel length in any caliber running those speeds
 
  • Like
Reactions: 806guns
Now heres a big one, how about scopes for a 16" ? I currently have a mess of 5-25x50, 5-25x56 in FFP. A few 4-16x44 SFP 1" tubes. Thinking maybe 2-12 power scopes in FFP and exposed turrets. Any first hand experience with something close to that power range? I love my 10x SWFA scopes and might just stay with that for awhile. Most i have spent on scopes was around 1k.
 
Now heres a big one, how about scopes for a 16" ? I currently have a mess of 5-25x50, 5-25x56 in FFP. A few 4-16x44 SFP 1" tubes. Thinking maybe 2-12 power scopes in FFP and exposed turrets. Any first hand experience with something close to that power range? I love my 10x SWFA scopes and might just stay with that for awhile. Most i have spent on scopes was around 1k.
That's a broad question. Given the long range capability of 6ARC I'll assume you don't need 1x to blast up close. I've got an Athlon 2-12x FFP on a 12.8" 6.5 Grendel that I'm very impressed with for $500. It's very comfortable from 50-600 yards. Given the extra barrel length/velocity of your ARC I might look hard at the Arken 4-16x for a little more range capability, with an offset dot for the chance of a close range critter popping up during your night hunting.
You didn't really define your budget though, I'm just mentioning scopes in the price range I can justify to myself for my lower volume guns, I don't feel the need for anything alpha tier on a gun shooting less than 1k rounds a year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 806guns
That's a broad question. Given the long range capability of 6ARC I'll assume you don't need 1x to blast up close. I've got an Athlon 2-12x FFP on a 12.8" 6.5 Grendel that I'm very impressed with for $500. It's very comfortable from 50-600 yards. Given the extra barrel length/velocity of your ARC I might look hard at the Arken 4-16x for a little more range capability, with an offset dot for the chance of a close range critter popping up during your night hunting.
You didn't really define your budget though, I'm just mentioning scopes in the price range I can justify to myself for my lower volume guns, I don't feel the need for anything alpha tier on a gun shooting less than 1k rounds a year.
I actually found a used athlon ares 2-15x50 and a athlon helos btr gen 2 2-12x42 (100 less) on this forum. Has me thinking hard. I had a arken and turned around and sold it. Im pretty set on my Riton optics but they dont offer what i need and have used Athlon before. I would like to stay under $800 for sure.
 
I actually found a used athlon ares 2-15x50 and a athlon helos btr gen 2 2-12x42 (100 less) on this forum. Has me thinking hard. I had a arken and turned around and sold it. Im pretty set on my Riton optics but they dont offer what i need and have used Athlon before. I would like to stay under $800 for sure.
Just be aware that the reticle in the BTR 2-12x is not shoot the wings off a fly fine. I actually like the thickness for what I'm using it for, more so faster shooting on bigger targets with the fat center dot, and I holdover using the reasonably fine tree rather than dialing. If group shooting or dialing is more your thing the finer reticle in the Ares is what you want.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 806guns
I actually found a used athlon ares 2-15x50 and a athlon helos btr gen 2 2-12x42 (100 less) on this forum. Has me thinking hard. I had a arken and turned around and sold it. Im pretty set on my Riton optics but they dont offer what i need and have used Athlon before. I would like to stay under $800 for sure.
I own the Ares BTR 2.5-15x and it's probably my favorite optic for the money, outclassing my long time favorite SWFA SS 3-15x easily. I made sure to look through the Helos BTR 2-12x at SHOT show because it looks like a great SPR optic for the money on paper. I'm glad I waited until I saw it in person, because I really didn't like the reticle as much as the Ares. As Tony stated above, the 2-12x optic is good for fast paced shooting, but if you plan to use it for more precision-focused activities, the Ares is probably the way to go.
 
Since you have all the components for reloading, have you considered a 22 Grendel? Precision firearms have chambered barrels. Allows you to push the .224 faster from the ar
 
Since you have all the components for reloading, have you considered a 22 Grendel? Precision firearms have chambered barrels. Allows you to push the .224 faster from the ar
I actually had a 22 grendel barrel but never got around to using it and sold it. Thought about going back but built bolt actions in 6xc and 22xc (close to 22 creedmoor
 
Heres my parts list so far
Aero lower and upper
Cmc flat single stage 3.5lb trigger
16" faxon barrel 1-7.5 twist
2.5-15x50 Athlon Ares BTR
I have a 15" handguard but might buy a PRI MK12 handguard for weight.
 
Heres my parts list so far
Aero lower and upper
Cmc flat single stage 3.5lb trigger
16" faxon barrel 1-7.5 twist
2.5-15x50 Athlon Ares BTR
I have a 15" handguard but might buy a PRI MK12 handguard for weight.
If you're looking for the PRI rail to save weight, it's not exactly the lightest option, despite being carbon fiber. I absolutely love my PRI Delta forearm on my Mock12 build with Ares BTR below (ignore the CA legal grip), but there are cheaper or lighter rail options available if weight savings is your primary goal. With that being said, it's a classic, it feels great in hand, and it looks f'ing awesome. Sometimes you just need to go with your gut and get what you really want from the start.

Y7tmHMo.jpeg


If you're building a 16" rifle with the PRI rail, I would pair it with this CLE Douglas SS barrel for your own Mk12 Mod H style build. This is a bit heavier than the Faxon barrel but should be a much more consistent (precise) shooter, and has the benefit of being more "clone-correct" if that's important to you.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 806guns
If you're looking for the PRI rail to save weight, it's not exactly the lightest option, despite being carbon fiber. I absolutely love my PRI Delta forearm on my Mock12 build with Ares BTR below (ignore the CA legal grip), but there are cheaper or lighter rail options available if weight savings is your primary goal. With that being said, it's a classic, it feels great in hand, and it looks f'ing awesome. Sometimes you just need to go with your gut and get what you really want from the start.

Y7tmHMo.jpeg


If you're building a 16" rifle with the PRI rail, I would pair it with this CLE Douglas SS barrel for your own Mk12 Mod H style build. This is a bit heavier than the Faxon barrel but should be a much more consistent (precise) shooter, and has the benefit of being more "clone-correct" if that's important to you.
Im going with a 6mm arc barrel. What length handguard would be correct for a mk12 clone mod h 14" or 15"?
 
Mod 0 and Mod H are both 12" (Rifle length) forearms. Only the barrel length is different.

6ARC is going to be perfect for this build.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 806guns
I have now aquired a
12" PRI handguard
6.8mm AEM brake 5/8x24 with collar.(for the possibility of a aem5 clone for 6mm)
Should have most of these parts later this week and will have to post pictures with my a2 lower for now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: drewthebrave
Little info i found out today was my brownells barrel i ordered wont have the proper size barrel contour past the gas block to get custom countoured for the AEM collar. I ordered a custom 16" barrel from Mcgowen and will be returning the ordered barrel from brownells. Live and learn
 
Last edited:
I have now aquired a
12" PRI handguard
6.8mm AEM brake 5/8x24 with collar.(for the possibility of a aem5 clone for 6mm)
Should have most of these parts later this week and will have to post pictures with my a2 lower for now.
Otter Creek OCM5 is bored large enough for 6mm.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 806guns
Thoughts on my Mk12 style build? I think the scope mount kills it. Recce rail is in the way so definitely need different mounts for this 30mm scope. Also need a ace socom stock if anyone has one laying around !
20230127_203752.jpg
 
So i sold the athlon i just bought 😅 and decided to try the new Vortex strike eagle 3-18x44 34mm tube.
Screenshot_20230131_090253_Chrome.jpg