Looking for an accurate upper for less than $1000

[buckkiller35]

I have 5 16" midlength chrome lined uppers,a colt 6720 and a 20" govt profile upper. I want something that will shoot under an inch at 100 yards. I was thinking of going with the BCM ss410 upper but was told they are not super accurate. Any recommendations? Thanks.

[MegademiC]

I have 5 16" midlength chrome lined uppers,a colt 6720 and a 20" govt profile upper. I want something that will shoot under an inch at 100 yards. I was thinking of going with the BCM ss410 upper but was told they are not super accurate. Any recommendations? Thanks.

Haha, who told you that?

Define accurate.

You're colt might shoot sub moa with the right ammo. What kind of HG and glass do you have?

Regarding BCM's SS barrels, they are not going to produce groups like some bolt guns. However, if you don't get consistent groups under an inch with good reloads, you're messing up.

[TexanInCali]

I have a BCM 16" SS410 KMR Upper. Not sure who told you it wasn't accurate. They are incorrect.

[VIP3R 237]

Iirc BCM uses criterion barrels, and they are excellent. Are they going to shoot a quarter MOA? No but very few barrels will.

[TexanInCali]

Mine shoots sub MOA with the following

ADI Outback 69gr SMK
ASYM Precision 75gr OTM

1 MOA to 1.5 MOA with

CBC MagTech 77gr OTM
CBC MagTech 62gr FMJ (my standard plinking ammo)


These are the loads I'm sticking with for now.

[buckkiller35]

I have a couple of BCM bfh middies that shoot around 2 moa with CBC MagTech 77gr OTM. I don't reload.

[buckkiller35]

Haha, who told you that?

Define accurate.

You're colt might shoot sub moa with the right ammo. What kind of HG and glass do you have?

Regarding BCM's SS barrels, they are not going to produce groups like some bolt guns. However, if you don't get consistent groups under an inch with good reloads, you're messing up.

For accuracy i'm going to use my Busnell Elite Tactical 3-12x44. I have 2 16" BCM bfh lw,one with KMR and the other with a fortis key mod hand guard. 16" Aero Precision with Keymod ff handguard. My Colt just has an MOE handguard. My 20" BCM has standard A2 hand guard. Two Midlength Spikes uppers have MOE handguards(one is a Dissy)

[TexanInCali]

Deleted.

[Iraqgunz]

I would say you probably need to forget about an AR and get a bolt gun. The ar-15 was never designed to be in MOA or sub MOA rifle. The fact that many of them will with the correct ammo, shooter, etc.. says something. Most shooters can't even shoot to the accuracy potential of their own rifles.

[buckkiller35]

I have several bolt guns. I just want an AR with a high quality,accurate barrel. I hear of a lot of people shooting sub moa with stainless barrels so figured that I would try to find out what one to get. I know my chrome lined barrels aren't meant to shoot sub moa.

[T2C]

Are you going to hunt with it or just punch paper?

[buckkiller35]

I will hunt with it also.

[T2C]

I will hunt with it also.

Hunters in my area hunt coyotes with 55g and lighter projectiles. If you are hunting larger animals, you will probably want to shoot different ammunition. Once you decide what bullet weight and what velocity is suitable for your purposes, you can make an informed decision on optimum barrel twist rate.

What do you think is the maximum distance you would shoot at an animal on a hunting trip? What would you be hunting?

[cop1211]

Larue.

[TexanInCali]

Most shooters can't even shoot to the accuracy potential of their own rifles.

He's right. I can rarely get groups like my rifle is capable of. My kids in the other hand, can with grin inducing regularity.

[GH41]

I have several bolt guns. I just want an AR with a high quality,accurate barrel. I hear of a lot of people shooting sub moa with stainless barrels so figured that I would try to find out what one to get. I know my chrome lined barrels aren't meant to shoot sub moa.

Many of the top barrel makers guarantee sub moa groups with target grade ammunition. Some even have no questions ask return policies. Remember that there is a little bit of luck involved in finding a super accurate barrel. The difference between the premium ($400+) barrels and less expensive barrels is quality control. It is very possible you can find a chrome lined barrel that shoots sub moa but the odds are not in your favor.

[MegademiC]

Op, from what it sounds like, I think you'd be more than happy with the bcm ss bbl. if you reload the barrel will produce amazing results for an auto rifle. They are also durable, and have a nice profile. Of course you also get the QA that comes with bcm.

[T2C]

I have seen some of these barrels shoot 1/2 MOA groups at 300 yards. Sub 3/4 MOA is relatively easy for an experienced shooter. Twist rate would be determined by what bullet weight you prefer to shoot.

http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/home.php?cat=250

[Iraqgunz]

OP,

I think you missed my point. The AR isn't designed to shoot that accurate. If you however get a good solid upper that is only part of the equation. You still need a good optic and ammunition.

[steyrman13]

Here one popped up in the EE
WTS, BCM 18" Upper, Geissele SMR https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=159670

[buckkiller35]

Hunters in my area hunt coyotes with 55g and lighter projectiles. If you are hunting larger animals, you will probably want to shoot different ammunition. Once you decide what bullet weight and what velocity is suitable for your purposes, you can make an informed decision on optimum barrel twist rate.

What do you think is the maximum distance you would shoot at an animal on a hunting trip? What would you be hunting?

200 yards,ground hogs to white tails. All of my other barrels are 1 in 7 so I have ammo from 55 to 77 grains.

[Patriot328]

My RRA Varmiter upper will smack a dime at 100 yards, but it's not very tacticolio.

[GeorgeB]

Less than $1,000?

BCM.

'nuff said.

[T2C]

200 yards,ground hogs to white tails. All of my other barrels are 1 in 7 so I have ammo from 55 to 77 grains.

I had a RRA varmint upper with heavy 1:8 twist 20" barrel, which I sold to a friend building a rifle for a terminal cancer patient. I only fired 350 rounds through the upper before passing it on, but I was impressed with the accuracy. I had a fixed 10X Bushnell mil dot scope on the upper and the trigger on my lower broke at 6 lbs..

Winchester white box 55g ball would print 10 shot groups just under 1" at 100 yards. Hornady V-Max 55g moly coated ammunition would print 10 shot sub 1/2" groups at 100 yards and it would make a good varmint cartridge.

I did not shoot heavier bullets through the varmint upper. The twist rate on my match rifles is 7.7:1 and they shoot bullets up to 80g very well.

[buckkiller35]

If I go the BCM SS410 route,should I go 16" or 18"? I'm not too concerned with the weight.

[TexanInCali]

I'd originally thought about getting the 18, but when the KMRs came out, the 16 was the only one available. I don't regret it. In addition to being accurate, the KMR keeps the weight down despite the stainless barrel, so with the 16, you end up with a great handling rifle.

I don't have a good scale, but unloaded with a Vltor iMod Clubfoot stock and MBUS, the thing is under 7.5 lbs. Still, the 18 with the 15" KMR would be nice too.

[foxtrotx1]

My RRA Varmiter upper will smack a dime at 100 yards, but it's not very tacticolio.

why buy RRA when you can get a quality upper for less?

[T2C]

If you wind up buying the BCM SS410 upper, please let us know the barrel length and twist rate you select. Accuracy with 55g Hornady V-Max ammunition would also be good to know.

[Patriot328]

why buy RRA when you can get a quality upper for less?



ok...

[Kain]

I had a RRA varmint upper with heavy 1:8 twist 20" barrel, which I sold to a friend building a rifle for a terminal cancer patient. I only fired 350 rounds through the upper before passing it on, but I was impressed with the accuracy. I had a fixed 10X Bushnell mil dot scope on the upper and the trigger on my lower broke at 6 lbs..

Winchester white box 55g ball would print 10 shot groups just under 1" at 100 yards. Hornady V-Max 55g moly coated ammunition would print 10 shot sub 1/2" groups at 100 yards and it would make a good varmint cartridge.

I did not shoot heavier bullets through the varmint upper. The twist rate on my match rifles is 7.7:1 and they shoot bullets up to 80g very well.

I ended up trading into one of those RRA Varminter rifles, 20 inch horse cock barrel, FF tube, ect, ect. It's shot alright, definitely likes 55gr loads as I haven't really pushed it with true match loads, but Hornady Steel Match 55gr is will print consistently MOA plus or minus .25, and this with a Bushnell 3-9X40 with a very thick reticule. However, my version does not like 75gr Hornady BTHP at all. Not only will it not throw the rounds at the same POI, it won't group the bastards at all. With the reloading press I just picked up I am going to try a few other loads in it come the new year and see what it will do with them and a new/better optic, am thinking of putting a SWFA SS 10X on it, but will see.

That said, for under a grand I would seriously lean towards a BCM upper the SS 410 barrels have a great rep for being an accurate barrel and if my BFH barrels, both free floated and none can print sub two inch groups in my hands with the same ammo my RRA was printing in MOA and if I am really on put the same rounds in near the same group size with less than half the magnification.... I think the BCM will serve you just fine.

[Iraqgunz]

Let's not start another why RRA is crap discussion.


why buy RRA when you can get a quality upper for less?

[thopkins22]

BCM is the easy button solution, and they'll be tested correctly, assembled correctly, the parts will be intelligently selected, and so forth. Criterion does great things and you will likely not be able to outshoot it unless you always use bipod, bags, match ammo, good optics, and are good at pulling triggers.

Building your own upper is not a terrible choice either if you either have the knowledge or have access to a competent gunsmith/armorer. The bulk of your money is going to go to the barrel.

White Oak barrels are stupid accurate for the price...there's a reason you see a lot of them in high power. Noveske barrels are probably the best or amongst the best at any price. The aforementioned stainless BCM's from Criterion/Kreiger are top notch. Pretty much go down the list of top barrel manufacturers and you'll do well if you put it together properly with good parts.

[buckkiller35]

I just ordered the BCM 16" ss410 with 15" KMR.

[T2C]

I just ordered the BCM 16" ss410 with 15" KMR.

Let us know how it shoots and with what bullet weights.

[buckkiller35]

Let us know how it shoots and with what bullet weights.

I will for sure.

[sauceboss]

Larue.

agreed. a complete upper is a bit out of his price range, but they're all guaranteed 1 moa or better.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.779796012060575.1073741832.130971230276393&type=1

[Iraqgunz]

Just to add, that I don't personally think 3 shot groups are accurate predictors. In addition I wouldn't purchase something that had proprietary rails and uppers no matter how well it shot. Many people have accomplished as much as what the OP is asking with less.


agreed. a complete upper is a bit out of his price range, but they're all guaranteed 1 moa or better.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.779796012060575.1073741832.130971230276393&type=1

[philpac33]

I don't shoot match loads often(read:rarely) but my Rainier Arms Select MEDCON stainless-barreled rifle is up to task. The barrels are money back guaranteed 1moa with match ammo. At $259.95, I consider that money well spent.

[buckkiller35]

I'm getting about .85 moa with cbc 77 grain and 1.5 moa with cbc 62 grain. I love this upper!

[j-ro]

LMT has some uppers for under $1000.

[Alaska3006]

Daniel Defense uppers should get their