Getting an AR Stoner 16" Upper

[Greg Langelius *]

I decided I needed to replace my 16" homebuilt Upper with something somewhat less clunky, with a 5.56 NATO chamber like my other .223/5.56 rifles, and a 1:7" rifling twist so I could at least try the 75/77gr Match bullet loads.

I chose the AR-Stoner AR-15 A3 Upper Receiver Assembly 5.56x45mm NATO 16" Barrel with 15" M-Lok Handguard from Midway because it is good looking, has exactly the features I want, is complete and appears well configured, is a developed package, and costs less than I could build it for in the desired manner.

Greg

 

[gopherslayer]

I’ve got one of their 20” DMR barrels. Paid $110 for it. I figured for the price I could chop it down if it didn’t shoot well and turn it into a 17” and reprofile it (access to lathe helps). It’s still at 20” and shoots 1/2” 5 shot groups regularly. Killed a few deer using 62gr TSX with it. 64gr Nosler bondeds avg 1.25” but they aren’t known for the best accuracy.

I’ve got a couple different powders to try with 75gr Hornadys next.

I don’t shoot my 20” Criterion much anymore. Can’t say why. Rifles are exactly the same. And I mean exactly.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Varget, 23.0gr-24.0gr. Varget is all I use for .223/5.56; it works great with 50gr (Nosler BT) through 75gr (HDY HPBT-Match). The book says that's not so close to max, but max is not what I feel comfortable shooting out of my rifles over and over.

Also, living in the Arizona high desert at around 4000-4500ft ASL, the 15% reduction in air density makes the HDY 75gr HPBT-Match stay supersonic a lot further out, and negates the need for hotter loadings.

My friend bought one of the Midway/AR Stoner Heavy 24" Wylde barrels when they were on sale for around $120, and built an Upper around it in his attempt to match up with my Stag 6. It likes my 75gr (24.4gr Varget, .2gr under max for 75gr per Hodgdon) Handloads (developed as a generic load for my Stag Model 6 Super Varminter, and Savage 11VT .223). I use the HPBT-Match instead of the longer, heavier bullets because it works well loaded to magazine length, and will also stabilize in a 24" 1:9" barrel.

He can't find any drawbacks with his AR Stoner 24" varmint contour stainless barrel.

I am backing the 75gr load down to the next lower node, and am homing in on which of the two finalists will be ready for loading in bulk; 23.5gr or 23.7g.

I have a 20" Mossberg MVP Predator 5.56, with the Bushnell 223 Drop Zone scope, which thrives on Fed 62gr MSR Fusion. This ammunition is the exception to my rule about doing nearly all my shooting with my own handloads. It's quite accurate and the bullet technology (skived, bonded) should be the bee's knees for deer, with good judgement and good aim.

When combined with a 600yd LRF, and taking the the time to range out your stand with a range card, drops and 100yd incremental aim points provided by the reticle can be really accurate.

Greg

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Well, the AR Stoner Upper is in hand; as is the Bushnell AR 223 Drop Zone side focus BDC Scope and Nikon P Series 1" Mounts.

Looking at Midway, that Upper is now marked out of stock, no backorder, so it's possible I got one of the last ones.

The Upper is a very neat and simple item; and is complete in all aspects except sights. I mounted a Vortex SPARC II on it, then attempted to mount the Bushnell and P Series mounts on another Upper. No Dice. The combination does not work together. The Power Adjuster Ring on the Bushnell is so large in diameter it interferes with the base portion of the Nikon mount. A rummage, another scope ring swap, and all is well, except I now have three rifles which need to be sighted (back) in.

I also mounted up a set of folding angled BUIS on the new Upper, and they sit very nice and flush, as opposed to the non folding style which will not fit into any rifle case I own.

The New Upper is about what I think I want for upcoming club 2-gun combat matches. Never ran in one, so it's all new to me.

Greg