New Small-Frame Build Range Report

[Clint H]

Posting this mostly as a thank you to @bigjake83 and @B Man. They both were a huge help steering me in the right direction when I was trying to spec this build out.

I've built a couple ARs before, but wanted this to be more of a precision-oriented build. As I'm sure anyone making the jump into the gas-gun world knows, there's a huge learning curve for squeezing the most accuracy out of the system. Both those guys were awesome putting up with my incessant questions and being willing to help a new guy out.

Today was the first range trip getting the optic zeroed and gas system tuned.

My last and best group was about 2" at 100yd using 62gr factory ammo, with a gusty crosswind, and an amature shooter shivering in the cold temps. Overall happy the dispersion is mostly horizontal, and hopefully it'll tighten up once I get some hand-loads worked up for it.

Build list:
Mega Arms MML receiver set
Krieger barrel 18" 1-7.7 .223 CLE chamber
Rifle Speed straight gas tube
SA gas block .875"
Rubber City lightweight BCG
TT trigger
TT 45° ambi saftey
JP SCS standard weight
Zeiss S3 4-25
Area 419 12" Arca rail
MDT grnd pod
Luth MBA-3

 

[Haney]

Nice rig , congrats on a nice build .

 

[bigjake83]

Posting this mostly as a thank you to @bigjake83 and @B Man. They both were a huge help steering me in the right direction when I was trying to spec this build out.

I've built a couple ARs before, but wanted this to be more of a precision-oriented build. As I'm sure anyone making the jump into the gas-gun world knows, there's a huge learning curve for squeezing the most accuracy out of the system. Both those guys were awesome putting up with my incessant questions and being willing to help a new guy out.

Today was the first range trip getting the optic zeroed and gas system tuned.

My last and best group was about 2" at 100yd using 62gr factory ammo, with a gusty crosswind, and an amature shooter shivering in the cold temps. Overall happy the dispersion is mostly horizontal, and hopefully it'll tighten up once I get some hand-loads worked up for it.

Build list:
Mega Arms MML receiver set
Krieger barrel 18" 1-7.7 .223 CLE chamber
Rifle Speed straight gas tube
SA gas block .875"
Rubber City lightweight BCG
TT trigger
TT 45° ambi saftey
JP SCS standard weight
Zeiss S3 4-25
Area 419 12" Arca rail
MDT grnd pod
Luth MBA-3

View attachment 8313569

View attachment 8313570

Looks good, and thank you. Get some 77gr match ammo and see how it can group with some decent ammo. All my .223 CLE barrels like Black Hills ammo, specifically 77gr .5 MOA or less and 55gr FMJ is around 3/4 MOA

 

[Jsp556]

Nice rifle.

 

[Clint H]

Looks good, and thank you. Get some 77gr match ammo and see how it can group with some decent ammo. All my .223 CLE barrels like Black Hills ammo, specifically 77gr .5 MOA or less and 55gr FMJ is around 3/4 MOA

That's my next step. I snagged a bulk box of 77gr SMK from Midway a couple months back, along with some VV N140. Planning to experiment with that combo and seeing if I can find a load that it'll like.

You were right about the recoil impulse with that RCA ti BCG and the JP SCS feeling like a 22lr. The thing just sits there and plinks through rounds like it's nothing.

I bummed that this will probably be the last CLE barrel I have, though. Keep us posted where Paul ends up. I still want to finish that 6.5cr build once I can get hands on a barrel for it.

 

[B Man]

I would say Jake gets much more of the nod in helping you than myself as I lean on him time to time myself for experience. But I do appreciate it and you are welcome.
Build looks great and I feel like you will be very impressed once you start putting those 77’s down range in it. Post back up when you start getting its true accuracy potential out of it, I’m curious.

 

[Clint H]

Alright, finally got good enough weather and the time to do a proper handload for this one, and man, what a difference.

Shot five 10rd groups, and everything was easily within 1moa. Three out of the five were ~0.75moa.

Group #4 had a flyer, but I 100% know what it was. After I loaded that round, I noticed the bullet had a dent in one side of it. I was too lazy to pull it and re-seat a new one, so I decided to just shoot it and see what would happen.

Specs of the load are:
Bullet: 77gr SMK
Powder: 23.5gr Vhitavori N140
Primer: Remington #7 1/2
Shoulder Bumped .004"
Bullet seated. 020" off jam

 

[B Man]

Looks like a good shooter

 

[bfoosh006]

Looks quite consistent, Enjoy the accuracy !

BTW , precision like that is addictive.