Hey guys, I'm getting ready to start a build on a varmint AR (.223 or .204) and I'm having trouble deciding on an upper/lower. I want the most accuracy possible. Would I be better off getting a matched set (i.e. Mega Machine) or does the whole matching thing not really have much impact on overall accuracy. I would think if they are matched together, they would have a tighter tolerance than an upper/lower from different companies. I see plenty of guys running a different upper and lower and it seems like they are getting good accuracy. What say the experts?
Upper/Lower for varmint build
- Thread starter carterjoe
- Start date
Re: Upper/Lower for varmint build
I am by no means an expert... but...
I have an off the shelf 20" White Oak Varmint Upper, that I ordered a while back from White Oak Armory. It is built on a solid Wilson Blank, finished at White Oak. Comes with a complete Bolt Carrier Group, ready to mount on a lower, add optics, and go shoot... all for about $600 to your door.
It shoots very well, and easy to care for. I'm running the 1:7 twist, because I run 69 and 77 grain pills in it. They can do a variety of twist rates for the lighter varmint rounds... it is the "Varmint" Chamber, essentially a Wylde... and is 5.56mm safe, according to White Oak.
I bought a Lauer Custom Weaponry lower a long while back, built it up with a White Oak LPK, Geissele SD-E trigger, DPMS Rifle Buffer, Spring and Tube, Magpul PRS stock, DPMS Target Pistol Grip, and it's wearing a 10x Super Sniper in an American Defense Recon mount now... The pistol grip is getting changed to a Magpul MIAD, I just like the MIAD better.
This is the rifle, wearing one of my USO SN3's... before paint.
This rifle shoots well.
Give White Oak a look if you haven't already...
Cheers!
I am by no means an expert... but...
I have an off the shelf 20" White Oak Varmint Upper, that I ordered a while back from White Oak Armory. It is built on a solid Wilson Blank, finished at White Oak. Comes with a complete Bolt Carrier Group, ready to mount on a lower, add optics, and go shoot... all for about $600 to your door.
It shoots very well, and easy to care for. I'm running the 1:7 twist, because I run 69 and 77 grain pills in it. They can do a variety of twist rates for the lighter varmint rounds... it is the "Varmint" Chamber, essentially a Wylde... and is 5.56mm safe, according to White Oak.
I bought a Lauer Custom Weaponry lower a long while back, built it up with a White Oak LPK, Geissele SD-E trigger, DPMS Rifle Buffer, Spring and Tube, Magpul PRS stock, DPMS Target Pistol Grip, and it's wearing a 10x Super Sniper in an American Defense Recon mount now... The pistol grip is getting changed to a Magpul MIAD, I just like the MIAD better.
This is the rifle, wearing one of my USO SN3's... before paint.
This rifle shoots well.
Give White Oak a look if you haven't already...
Cheers!
Re: Upper/Lower for varmint build
It doesn't make a difference. Matching upper/lowers are just for looks.
It doesn't make a difference. Matching upper/lowers are just for looks.
Re: Upper/Lower for varmint build
To add... White Oak does a heck of a good .204 upper... I've got a shooting buddy that has one, and he's hell on the ground squirrels and dogs... I'm doing nothing but steel and paper with mine, but that .204 is interesting.
I also have found no issues with mix matching uppers and loweres. Especially the forged units... get a quality lower, and you will be fine. I don't know who White Oak uses for their upper reciever, but it fit in my LCW lower, with zero slop.
Billet Uppers / Lowers are a bit more tricky... but again, billet is not always better. They are heavier and not as robust.
The Mega stuff is awesome... I'm building a .308 with one of their monolithic upper / lower combos... but I digress.
Just say with a good quality manufacturer and you will be golden.
Cheers!!!
To add... White Oak does a heck of a good .204 upper... I've got a shooting buddy that has one, and he's hell on the ground squirrels and dogs... I'm doing nothing but steel and paper with mine, but that .204 is interesting.
I also have found no issues with mix matching uppers and loweres. Especially the forged units... get a quality lower, and you will be fine. I don't know who White Oak uses for their upper reciever, but it fit in my LCW lower, with zero slop.
Billet Uppers / Lowers are a bit more tricky... but again, billet is not always better. They are heavier and not as robust.
The Mega stuff is awesome... I'm building a .308 with one of their monolithic upper / lower combos... but I digress.
Just say with a good quality manufacturer and you will be golden.
Cheers!!!
Re: Upper/Lower for varmint build
I have a drop-in Shilen bull barrel in .204 that's free floated. It's a heavy sucker with PRS stock and tripod, but it shoot well and doesn't heat up too fast.
I have a drop-in Shilen bull barrel in .204 that's free floated. It's a heavy sucker with PRS stock and tripod, but it shoot well and doesn't heat up too fast.
Re: Upper/Lower for varmint build
Rock River has a 20" predator pursuit upper that is the best bang for the buck---equals some of my custom builds
Rock River has a 20" predator pursuit upper that is the best bang for the buck---equals some of my custom builds
Re: Upper/Lower for varmint build
Thanks for the info guys, sounds like it doesn't make too much difference as long as I stick with the quality brands
Thanks for the info guys, sounds like it doesn't make too much difference as long as I stick with the quality brands
Re: Upper/Lower for varmint build
Stag lower (I only use these now do to how great the upper/lower fit is on these 100% of the time).
DPMS Thick walled competition upper (low rail). These are great for the money. Super strong and fit/match the stag lowers very nicely.
I just did a build using these and a WOA barrel, turned out great and shoots like a dream.
Stag lower (I only use these now do to how great the upper/lower fit is on these 100% of the time).
DPMS Thick walled competition upper (low rail). These are great for the money. Super strong and fit/match the stag lowers very nicely.
I just did a build using these and a WOA barrel, turned out great and shoots like a dream.
Re: Upper/Lower for varmint build
Stiller Precision makes an awesome billet lower that has a tension screw that helps snug the lower to the upper. Their actual price is significantly lower than the "MSRP" on their website. Snugs up real nice on a VLTOR MUR, too.
grunt
Stiller Precision makes an awesome billet lower that has a tension screw that helps snug the lower to the upper. Their actual price is significantly lower than the "MSRP" on their website. Snugs up real nice on a VLTOR MUR, too.
grunt
Re: Upper/Lower for varmint build
I ordered a 22" upper from mike at Dedicated technologies. It's fully fluted and threaded for a can. The barrel is a shilen select match in 1:10 twist. heres their page. - http://www.dtechsuperstore.com/
I also looked at the WOA ones, but decided to go with Mike instead.
I ordered a 22" upper from mike at Dedicated technologies. It's fully fluted and threaded for a can. The barrel is a shilen select match in 1:10 twist. heres their page. - http://www.dtechsuperstore.com/
I also looked at the WOA ones, but decided to go with Mike instead.
Re: Upper/Lower for varmint build
I would check out specialized dynamics before you put your order in. They are the best AR's on the market IMHO. I have 2, 1 in a 6x45 and a 17 REM. I also have a 6.5 grendel build on the way.
I would check out specialized dynamics before you put your order in. They are the best AR's on the market IMHO. I have 2, 1 in a 6x45 and a 17 REM. I also have a 6.5 grendel build on the way.
