First rifle questions

[fast97rs]

Hi everyone... I've been lurking here for a while, and really like your forum,

I'm a bit new to the AR, and am looking to get my first one in the next two weeks.

I've got my mind made up on the rifle (assemble the LMT), but I have a few last questions to help ease/make up my mind.


This is the most important:

I keep hearing that YMMV on 1:7 barrels shooting 55gr. (M193) but that for the most part the 55gr. projectile will stabalize and you shouldn't have a problem grouping well with 55gr.

Now this thought came into my mind while trying to select either a 14.5" or 16" barrel. After holding them side to side... I dicided that I'd rather have the 16" as it gives better ballistic performance, and the weight change and extra lenght are minimal (having a fixed flash hider to will only complicate making this into the rilfe I need it to be.... for me)

Now the only hinderance/caveat would be how this extra 2" would effect the 55gr. I notice that most of you who have no issue grouping 55gr. rounds have 14.5" or shorter barrels..... how would the extra twist of the 16" barrel effect the 55gr. M193's?


Here is the other question:

What do you guys think of the Vltor Enhanced Modstock (EMod) vs. the Sopmod? I want the storage capacity... and the Vltor has more of it.... but the Sopmod would only be $100 more if I order it now... vs. asking LMT not to include any buttstock in my lower and then adding the Vltor in latter.

I like the Vltor due to the ability to gain access to the battery compartment when I need to, rather then having to remove the stock all together to reach it.... but is it really worth the extra $$$ since im in a budget? I don't like that if I loose I plug/s I loose the battery storage in the Vltor

Also... each side of the Vltor only holds 2 AA batteries.... do they rattle while in there? Is there alot of extra space so as to smack back and forth? How about the Sopmod?

How much does either weigh?

I know its really up to me.... but to those of you who have had both.... which do you prefer?


Thanks everyone,


Jorgy

[markm]

The extra length will affect nothing. Stabilization will not be an issue for 55gr.

Optimal accuracy is achieved with a 1/12 twist when shooting 55gr. But 1/7 is not significantly less accurate.

[watchluvr4ever]

You can't go wrong with LMT! The SOPMOD stock is also great. I recommend buying a complete LMT lower with a SOPMOD stock. Buying a complete lower with stock from LMT should save you a little money since the stock alone is pretty expensive. Good luck!

[toddackerman]

Hi everyone... I've been lurking here for a while, and really like your forum,

I'm a bit new to the AR, and am looking to get my first one in the next two weeks.

I've got my mind made up on the rifle (assemble the LMT), but I have a few last questions to help ease/make up my mind.


This is the most important:

I keep hearing that YMMV on 1:7 barrels shooting 55gr. (M193) but that for the most part the 55gr. projectile will stabalize and you shouldn't have a problem grouping well with 55gr.

Now this thought came into my mind while trying to select either a 14.5" or 16" barrel. After holding them side to side... I dicided that I'd rather have the 16" as it gives better ballistic performance, and the weight change and extra lenght are minimal (having a fixed flash hider to will only complicate making this into the rilfe I need it to be.... for me)

Now the only hinderance/caveat would be how this extra 2" would effect the 55gr. I notice that most of you who have no issue grouping 55gr. rounds have 14.5" or shorter barrels..... how would the extra twist of the 16" barrel effect the 55gr. M193's?


Here is the other question:

What do you guys think of the Vltor Enhanced Modstock (EMod) vs. the Sopmod? I want the storage capacity... and the Vltor has more of it.... but the Sopmod would only be $100 more if I order it now... vs. asking LMT not to include any buttstock in my lower and then adding the Vltor in latter.

I like the Vltor due to the ability to gain access to the battery compartment when I need to, rather then having to remove the stock all together to reach it.... but is it really worth the extra $$$ since im in a budget? I don't like that if I loose I plug/s I loose the battery storage in the Vltor

Also... each side of the Vltor only holds 2 AA batteries.... do they rattle while in there? Is there alot of extra space so as to smack back and forth? How about the Sopmod?

How much does either weigh?

I know its really up to me.... but to those of you who have had both.... which do you prefer?


Thanks everyone,


Jorgy

First...you can't go wrong with a 16" LMT with a 1:7 twist with everything from 55Gn. to 77 Gn. I have a 16" LMT MRP Upper, and it is as close to perfection as it gets. All of these bullets will print sub MOA groups...If I can see that day! :)

Second...I have the original VLTOR Modstock, and love it. You keep the batteries from rattling by placing a foam earplug inside to act as a buffer. Regarding loosing the plugs....if you're prone to such things, I think you could get an extra pair from VLTOR when you order the stock.

I don't know the differences in weight, but I like the storage benefits you mentioned on the VLTOR...and I use them. C123 batteries on one side, a AA batteries and a small container of LaRue's Machine gunners lube on th other.
I'm sure that the LMT SOPMOD is a quality unit as well, just like everything I've seen from LMT. BTW...I have never actually held, or shot with the SOPMOD.

Also, you can get all of this from Grant at www.GandRtactical.com. He is an expert on LMT, and VLTOR.

Tack

[rob_s]

Jorgy, welcome to the forum! ;)

I'd go with the 16" for most of the reasons you already posted. The extra 1.5" isn't going to adversely affect the accuracy of 55 grain ammo.

RE: losing the plugs on the Vltor, there are ways to secure the plugs to the stock that don't affect the waterproof-ness (is that even a word?) of the storage compartments and that will keep you from losing them. As posted above, you can order replacements though (Vltor actually sent me something like 6 replacements for free when one of our club members lost his). I can show you how I attached mine and will try to take pictures for you when I'm home next week.

[fast97rs]

Thanks everyone!

That answers that!

On a side note:

Whats the heaviest round that a 16" M4 profile barrel with 1:7 twist can fire accurately as per you guy's experiance?



Rob,

Thanks for the welcome and recommendation.... not to mention all your help. This is a very informative and well organized forum and I'm glad to be here.

Yea, this rifle is going to be modeled after your "brown rifle" in function.... its gonna be my general purpose (hunting, bug out (I hate to sound like a crazy noob, but I'm just being honest), and carbine match rifle).... so the ability to fire 55 and 77gr. rounds and over all weight is of the most importance (to me).



Jorgy

[toddackerman]

Thanks everyone!

That answers that!

On a side note:

Whats the heaviest round that a 16" M4 profile barrel with 1:7 twist can fire accurately as per you guy's experiance?



Rob,

Thanks for the welcome and recommendation.... not to mention all your help. This is a very informative and well organized forum and I'm glad to be here.

Yea, this rifle is going to be modeled after your "brown rifle" in function.... its gonna be my general purpose (hunting, bug out (I hate to sound like a crazy noob, but I'm just being honest), and carbine match rifle).... so the ability to fire 55 and 77gr. rounds and over all weight is of the most importance (to me).



Jorgy

I've shot a lot of 75Gn. through mine with sub MOA accuracy. Also great with 69Gn, and 55 Gn.

Tack

[rob_s]

Eventually you run into match ammo that's in the 80+ grain range that will require a different chamber, so it's a non issue.

As I understand it, the 1:7 issue is more about the LENGTH of the projectiles, not the weight, just FYI.