Service rifle build

[frumpy]

I'm planning on shooting some service rifle matches next summer and don't have a suitable AR for it right now (10.5". 12.5" and 24" for my current AR15s). Distances will be 100m-500m and standing, sitting, prone with no bipods.

I think I have pretty much everything figured out except the barrel and optic. I was leaning towards a 16" mid length gas, lightweight profile barrel but I already have an 18" heavy profile, mid length gas barrel kicking around and I also found a good deal on a 14.5" fluted mid length gas barrel. For optic I am thinking vortex stroke eagle 1-8x or swfa fixed 6x. Any suggestions on what to go with?

[gatorgrizz27]

White Oak Armament is the way to go for a precision AR barrel, Larue is up there as well. I don't know anything about the rules, but the 18" rifle length barrels can have a much smoother recoil impulse, which would help spotting hits and misses.

I'd lean towards 18" rifle gas with an A5 or rifle buffer, Magpul makes a nice fixed rifle stock, but that depends on your length of pull.

Make sure you have a quality trigger also. No input on Vortex scopes besides I won't use them.

1x scope power per 100 yards is pretty much the accepted minimum, but if you don't anticipate shooting it any closer than 100 yards, I'd go with a 3-9 or 4-12. No reason to favor the 1x low end.

[TJGreg5]

Colt 6920 with a TA31F for an optic

[frumpy]

There is no rule on barrel length but both Larue and White Oak aren't too common up here and pricey if you can find them. I don't want to go all out on barrel but realize you get what you pay for. If possible I'd like to be around $250 but will go up to $400ish if I need to.

I don't have a lower yet so I may just use my precision rifle AR lower (Rainer stripped lower, A2 stock, triggertech adjustable trigger)

I was leaning towards the 1-8x because I was thinking it can do double duty with the lower end for plinking. I also have a Bushnell AR 3-12x laying around at home and an elite tactical fixed 10x (could also steel a 6-24x PST off another gun). If I buy a scope for it I'm hoping to stay around $700 max.

[frumpy]

Originally Posted by TJGreg5

Colt 6920 with a TA31F for an optic

I pretty much need a stripped lower and I have everything else for a build so I'd like to avoid buying a complete gun if possible. Also, fixed 4x seems like it wouldn't be the best for 100m-500m. No argument that they are awesome, I'd just like something with more magnification.

[drewp]

faxon makes great barrels at a great price.
they have a "gunner" profile which is slightly heavier than a pencil but lighter than the "normal" profile.
I'd look into those, they have all lengths of barrels

[frumpy]

Originally Posted by drewp

faxon makes great barrels at a great price.
they have a "gunner" profile which is slightly heavier than a pencil but lighter than the "normal" profile.
I'd look into those, they have all lengths of barrels

I was looking at the 16" GUNNER but the only shop that carries them is sold out.

I'm starting to think I should just order from Brownells

[78bronco460]

You have service rifle matches with optics?

[frumpy]

Originally Posted by 78bronco460

You have service rifle matches with optics?

1. Service Rifle Description
a. Any rifle with any sight and in any caliber that meets range
regulations. All firearms must meet the trigger pull specifications of
these rules.
b. All rifles will compete under the same match conditions and timings.
2. Sights
a. Any sight may be used.
b. The sight may be adjusted in any manner throughout the conduct of
any match.
c. There will be NO allowance of time extensions for the adjustment
of the sights.
d. A sun/rain shade may be attached to the sight.

[animator]

Don't feel like you have to go out and spend serious money on a barrel for a service rifle match.


I have a model 1 sales complete 20" upper on my plain, stock, boring M16A2-styled rifle, and with handloads and NM sights, it'll outshoot most shooters.

[frumpy]

My original plan was to just shoot it with my 12.5" AR until I realized I had almost everything to build another AR with a 3-12x Bushnell AR scope and 18" heavy profile barrel. Then I got the idea to set it up better for the matches I plan on shooting and $1000 later... (if I go ahead with another barrel and new scope)