snowdog650
02-14-13, 02:50
After reading the wisdom here for about 2 years and subsequently joining the conversations a few months ago, I finally completed my first build. The rifle was completed just before Christmas, but I wanted to wait before posting. I see all too many posts of new builds, only to have the author answer the question of "How does it shoot/run?" with ... "Dunno; haven't fired it yet."
I wanted a bare-bones AR rifle which would effectively engage targets/threats out to 200 meters. It was essential to have this rifle be as reliable as possible and be put to use in various carbine courses, for defense, for running drills, and for target use. Consistent 1/2 MOA accuracy at 300 meters was not necessary, as that is not the purpose of this particular rifle ... I have other platforms for that purpose. I wanted something I could absolutely depend on while not going completely berserk on the budget.
The Specs / Rationale
Lower
1. JD Machine Tech Stripped Lower: Purchased locally March 2012, $90. I went with the JD because it was in stock, and I had met the owner in the past. I was confident that this lower would meet my needs. I had read years back that JD once made lowers for Noveske, so I felt it was a good buy. Plus, I feel some sense of redemption that it is made in California ... home of stupid mother****er gun-grabbing globalist legislators.
2. G&R Tactical LPK: I wanted a solid LPK that would not fail. I didn't want to drop $200 for Colt, so I got the next best thing. Everything went together fine in the JD lower. Not even a scratch. Only took 35 minutes to install. $55 (June 2012).
3. Geissele SD3G FCG: This was not my first choice. But it was free, so I decided to run this instead of an SSA or SSA-E (a very generous co-worker gave me this as a reward for helping him write his Master's thesis). After running it, I am pleased with this trigger. I admittedly had a couple of bump-fires early on ... talk about major pucker effect. Needless to say, the reset is VERY short. $0
4. Raddlock Magazine Lock: Don't even get me ****ing started. Had to do it, since I live in California. At least this way, I can go full felon if I have to. $35 (December 2012)
5. BCM Receiver Extension/H Buffer/Action Spring/Castle Nut: Good price for a high quality set up. Thanks to you guys, I knew to use Aeroshell MS33 and then stake. $60 (December 2012)
6. BAS-ASS Safety Selector: I'm a southpaw, so I wanted an ambi selector. This is the best in the business. Went with standard on ejection port side and thin on bolt release side. Thinking I might go short standard on bolt release side ... haven't decided yet. $65 (November 2012).
7. Magpul STR Milspec Stock: I wanted to have a collapsable stock with storage to hold most pins/detents/springs from an extra LPK. The other storage tube holds extra batteries for the Aimpoint and a small homemade tube of Aeroshell MS33. I read on TOS that this stock is second only to the UTR for strength. Got a good deal locally. $80 (September 2012).
8. Magpul MOE Pistol Grip: Wanted storage for a small bottle of Mobil 1 for lube and an extra firing pin and bolt. Got it with Grant's order on the LPK.
9. Noveske QDT End Plate: I wanted a QDT end plate. This one works and is from a reputable manufacturer. Bought it direct the day before John died :-(. $25.
10. Vickers/Blue Force Combat Sling: If Larry's name is on it, it must be good. $45.
Upper
1. BCM BFH 16" Government Profile Mid-Length Upper Group: I wanted the best I could get. I think I did. Wanted a fixed front sight post for durability purposes. Really wanted a VLTOR MUR. Didn't have confidence to build an upper for the first go-around. Now I think I have it. $519 (December 2012 ... a day before Sandy Hook. Luck.).
2. BCM BCG: Again ... wanted the best. I think I got it. $159 ... remember those days? (October 2012)
3. Magpul MOE Handguards: This one was an internal debate. In the end, I didn't need free-floating for enhanced accuracy out to 200 meters. I didn't have free-floating when I was a combat medic, and I still qualified as an expert. Wanted a simple weapon system with minimal shit on it. Went cheap. Time will tell if I change these out. $32 (December 2012).
4. BCM Ambi Charging Handle: Wanted ambi (remember, I am a lefty). Wanted the best. This seemed like a good option -- and cheaper -- than the Raptor. $69 (November 2012).
5. Magpul Back-Up Rear Right: I was going broke. I think this will do for my purposes. Time will tell. Might change out with a Troy flip-up of sorts or a DD fixed. $50 (December 2012).
6. Aimpoint PRO: My agency uses Aimpoint. LAV says that there is no substitute to Aimpoint. This is the cheapest Aimpoint. I like. $400 (October 2012).
7. Magpul MOE Sling Attachment: I don't know about this. Why the hell didn't Magpul extend the air vents all the way back on the mid- and rifle-length handguards like with the carbine-length? I mean, what the ****? I attached it at the 6 o'clock position. I might change this out after taking a class or two. Seems to work well now, but that is only after time at a public range. $20 (December 2012).
8. Light: Waiting for a MI front sight mount to be shipped out. Will attach a 5.11 tactical ATAC 1 once I get that.
Pics
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1282_zps82db2416.jpg
Don't mind the sling plate on the lower ... wanted to hide the serial number from your asses:
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1283_zps7ca16cff.jpg
Damn Raddlock bullet button:
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1284_zpsff99b3a2.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1285_zps7505fe20.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1290_zps1f134f3c.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1289_zps0624e228.jpg
How does it shoot/run?
Perfectly. I put 249 rounds through it on the initial session with a combination of Federal and handloads. I had one FTF on the first round chambered because I was a pussy when I inserted the mag (pucker effect #2 when that happened). I zeroed the irons and Aimpoint with the factory Federal bulk ammo so I could get a velocity baseline, which ended up being about 220 FPS less than published (as expected, since published was with a 20").
I did a ladder test with two handloads ... for plinking I will use 69-grain Nosler Competition BTHP. For defense loads, I chose to use Barnes 70-grain TTX. I chose this because my agency does ballistics testing, and I was satisfied with the results from a number of barriers. Being 100% solid copper, this is considered a barrier-blind projectile.
Results from Nosler Loads at 100 yards:
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1286_zps8c99128c.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1287_zps09836670.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1288_zps1c7e595f.jpg
The Barnes loads showed similar results.
Shooting conditions were:
~60*F, 25% humidity, 15-20 MPH headwind at about 11:00 position. Fired from bench using load-out bag as support; no rear bags. Aimpoint PRO optic.
Best Loads:
Nosler: 24.5G Varget, 2.260 COAL @ ~ 2684 FPS +/- 8 FPS standard deviation.
Barnes: 24.3G Varget, 2.250 COAL @ ~ 2659 FPS +/- 11 FPS standard deviation.
Oh yeah ... for all you losers who are actually still reading this whole thing ... remember how I said I didn't need 1/2 MOA accuracy? Looks like I got it anyway.
I want to thank the community here for helping me put together this rifle. Without all of the information in these threads, I would have made many, many mistakes along the way based on what I *thought* I knew. I believe that I have achieved my goal of assembling a rifle in which I can be nearly 100% confident at 0-200 meters, and probably beyond. The moral of the story is this ... if you are new here ... and think you can assemble a fantastic rifle ... you can ...
But you need to read ... take notes ... be patient ... and accept the fact that there are plenty of people here how know a hell of a lot more than you do. It was very humbling to do all of the research I did for those 2 years. I thought that I knew quite a bit about guns.
Now I know more.
Thanks for reading.
I wanted a bare-bones AR rifle which would effectively engage targets/threats out to 200 meters. It was essential to have this rifle be as reliable as possible and be put to use in various carbine courses, for defense, for running drills, and for target use. Consistent 1/2 MOA accuracy at 300 meters was not necessary, as that is not the purpose of this particular rifle ... I have other platforms for that purpose. I wanted something I could absolutely depend on while not going completely berserk on the budget.
The Specs / Rationale
Lower
1. JD Machine Tech Stripped Lower: Purchased locally March 2012, $90. I went with the JD because it was in stock, and I had met the owner in the past. I was confident that this lower would meet my needs. I had read years back that JD once made lowers for Noveske, so I felt it was a good buy. Plus, I feel some sense of redemption that it is made in California ... home of stupid mother****er gun-grabbing globalist legislators.
2. G&R Tactical LPK: I wanted a solid LPK that would not fail. I didn't want to drop $200 for Colt, so I got the next best thing. Everything went together fine in the JD lower. Not even a scratch. Only took 35 minutes to install. $55 (June 2012).
3. Geissele SD3G FCG: This was not my first choice. But it was free, so I decided to run this instead of an SSA or SSA-E (a very generous co-worker gave me this as a reward for helping him write his Master's thesis). After running it, I am pleased with this trigger. I admittedly had a couple of bump-fires early on ... talk about major pucker effect. Needless to say, the reset is VERY short. $0
4. Raddlock Magazine Lock: Don't even get me ****ing started. Had to do it, since I live in California. At least this way, I can go full felon if I have to. $35 (December 2012)
5. BCM Receiver Extension/H Buffer/Action Spring/Castle Nut: Good price for a high quality set up. Thanks to you guys, I knew to use Aeroshell MS33 and then stake. $60 (December 2012)
6. BAS-ASS Safety Selector: I'm a southpaw, so I wanted an ambi selector. This is the best in the business. Went with standard on ejection port side and thin on bolt release side. Thinking I might go short standard on bolt release side ... haven't decided yet. $65 (November 2012).
7. Magpul STR Milspec Stock: I wanted to have a collapsable stock with storage to hold most pins/detents/springs from an extra LPK. The other storage tube holds extra batteries for the Aimpoint and a small homemade tube of Aeroshell MS33. I read on TOS that this stock is second only to the UTR for strength. Got a good deal locally. $80 (September 2012).
8. Magpul MOE Pistol Grip: Wanted storage for a small bottle of Mobil 1 for lube and an extra firing pin and bolt. Got it with Grant's order on the LPK.
9. Noveske QDT End Plate: I wanted a QDT end plate. This one works and is from a reputable manufacturer. Bought it direct the day before John died :-(. $25.
10. Vickers/Blue Force Combat Sling: If Larry's name is on it, it must be good. $45.
Upper
1. BCM BFH 16" Government Profile Mid-Length Upper Group: I wanted the best I could get. I think I did. Wanted a fixed front sight post for durability purposes. Really wanted a VLTOR MUR. Didn't have confidence to build an upper for the first go-around. Now I think I have it. $519 (December 2012 ... a day before Sandy Hook. Luck.).
2. BCM BCG: Again ... wanted the best. I think I got it. $159 ... remember those days? (October 2012)
3. Magpul MOE Handguards: This one was an internal debate. In the end, I didn't need free-floating for enhanced accuracy out to 200 meters. I didn't have free-floating when I was a combat medic, and I still qualified as an expert. Wanted a simple weapon system with minimal shit on it. Went cheap. Time will tell if I change these out. $32 (December 2012).
4. BCM Ambi Charging Handle: Wanted ambi (remember, I am a lefty). Wanted the best. This seemed like a good option -- and cheaper -- than the Raptor. $69 (November 2012).
5. Magpul Back-Up Rear Right: I was going broke. I think this will do for my purposes. Time will tell. Might change out with a Troy flip-up of sorts or a DD fixed. $50 (December 2012).
6. Aimpoint PRO: My agency uses Aimpoint. LAV says that there is no substitute to Aimpoint. This is the cheapest Aimpoint. I like. $400 (October 2012).
7. Magpul MOE Sling Attachment: I don't know about this. Why the hell didn't Magpul extend the air vents all the way back on the mid- and rifle-length handguards like with the carbine-length? I mean, what the ****? I attached it at the 6 o'clock position. I might change this out after taking a class or two. Seems to work well now, but that is only after time at a public range. $20 (December 2012).
8. Light: Waiting for a MI front sight mount to be shipped out. Will attach a 5.11 tactical ATAC 1 once I get that.
Pics
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1282_zps82db2416.jpg
Don't mind the sling plate on the lower ... wanted to hide the serial number from your asses:
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1283_zps7ca16cff.jpg
Damn Raddlock bullet button:
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1284_zpsff99b3a2.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1285_zps7505fe20.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1290_zps1f134f3c.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1289_zps0624e228.jpg
How does it shoot/run?
Perfectly. I put 249 rounds through it on the initial session with a combination of Federal and handloads. I had one FTF on the first round chambered because I was a pussy when I inserted the mag (pucker effect #2 when that happened). I zeroed the irons and Aimpoint with the factory Federal bulk ammo so I could get a velocity baseline, which ended up being about 220 FPS less than published (as expected, since published was with a 20").
I did a ladder test with two handloads ... for plinking I will use 69-grain Nosler Competition BTHP. For defense loads, I chose to use Barnes 70-grain TTX. I chose this because my agency does ballistics testing, and I was satisfied with the results from a number of barriers. Being 100% solid copper, this is considered a barrier-blind projectile.
Results from Nosler Loads at 100 yards:
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1286_zps8c99128c.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1287_zps09836670.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t74/snowdog650/IMG_1288_zps1c7e595f.jpg
The Barnes loads showed similar results.
Shooting conditions were:
~60*F, 25% humidity, 15-20 MPH headwind at about 11:00 position. Fired from bench using load-out bag as support; no rear bags. Aimpoint PRO optic.
Best Loads:
Nosler: 24.5G Varget, 2.260 COAL @ ~ 2684 FPS +/- 8 FPS standard deviation.
Barnes: 24.3G Varget, 2.250 COAL @ ~ 2659 FPS +/- 11 FPS standard deviation.
Oh yeah ... for all you losers who are actually still reading this whole thing ... remember how I said I didn't need 1/2 MOA accuracy? Looks like I got it anyway.
I want to thank the community here for helping me put together this rifle. Without all of the information in these threads, I would have made many, many mistakes along the way based on what I *thought* I knew. I believe that I have achieved my goal of assembling a rifle in which I can be nearly 100% confident at 0-200 meters, and probably beyond. The moral of the story is this ... if you are new here ... and think you can assemble a fantastic rifle ... you can ...
But you need to read ... take notes ... be patient ... and accept the fact that there are plenty of people here how know a hell of a lot more than you do. It was very humbling to do all of the research I did for those 2 years. I thought that I knew quite a bit about guns.
Now I know more.
Thanks for reading.