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Biged65
12-08-15, 20:40
I'm ready to build a rifle for 500yd+ shots.

I've heard through the grapevine my son has/is building a new rifle with 18" BCM upper. So I must now build or buy something better. We added a new 14" steel target set a 500 yrds at my in-laws and I can hit it 2-3 out of 5 shots with no wind. Wind can really whip through the valley making it a fun contest between my son , F-I-L and I.

I'm pretty new to black rifles but have built a few lowers and bought complete uppers for all but one built on a PSA blem upper/lower 16" SS barrel (Rainer I believe, it was a gift), ACT trigger with many parts coming and going. I had a lot of help but believe I can do this and if I have a problem help is a phone call away or am I better off just buying a Wilson, BCM or something else complete.

Weight is no issue most shots will be off bipod. My goal is to build a rifle better than I can shoot and hopefully improve my accuracy. Thinking 20".

I have...
Geissele triggers (SSA-E, SSA, and 2 G2S),
thinking SSA-E trigger in this one.
2 PSA and a Spikes lower that is what I'll use.
I have all sorts of Magpul furniture.
Luepold AR Mod 1 4x12 scope I can/will switch to this rifle.
sinister
12-08-15, 20:57
Really, any decent barrel and good handloads with a 73-77 grain bullet will give you a fine 500-yard weapon without a whole lot of effort given the components you've listed. 16, 18, or 20-inchers in a 1-7 or 1-8 will do you well.

A 14-inch target is almost 3 MOA wide.
BrigandTwoFour
12-08-15, 21:49
A 16", 18", or 20" are all equally capable of putting hits on a 14" target at 500 yards. If weight is no concern, then my suggestion is go with the 20" for just a bit more velocity, the smoother rifle gas action, and just a pinch more "mine is bigger than yours."
Delta_Elite
12-08-15, 22:02
I got to shoot my Noveske 14.5 Afghan at 12" steel out 500 with 77SMK hand loads and was blown away at how repeatable and accurate it was. With a 1x4 NF at that distance, You could cover the shots with an open hand. Any of the barrel lengths you mention will be fine if they are quality.
teutonicpolymer
12-08-15, 22:53
500 yards is cake; very doable with a decent barrel, a decent scope, and basically any ammo including Wolf steel case junk. After you know the hold over it is just repetition.
PrarieDog
12-09-15, 00:10
built a rifle off a JP barrel and JP parts. I also built a 20" BCM barreled upper. Both were plenty accurate but the JP was just so much more than the 20" BCM. 500 should not be a problem. You can also source parts from white oak as they have reasonable prices and very good reputation.
Auto-X Fil
12-09-15, 05:53
I've built a couple with WOA barrels. This complete upper is a solid deal and will keep them all within 5" at 500yd with good ammo and a good operator.

http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17987&cat=261&page=1

I would use a Geissele DM trigger for that application, although the SSA-E is good too.

http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17878
cosmo223
12-09-15, 08:31
You have a lot of choices. JP, Noveske, WOA are all good suggestions. I have a RRA heavy stainless match barrel that is a tack driver. RRA Varmint upper would also work, particularly if weight is not an issue. I know RRA may not have as much cache as some of the other suggestions, but if you do some research you will find a lot of people are getting very good results with these uppers.
Jwknutson17
12-09-15, 09:45
My most accurate AR is a Noveske 13.7 barreled one. Sure, I lose some velocity, but it shoots in one ragged hole. If you have the time to learn the elevations, I wouldn't specifically limit my self to a 18-20 barrel. I would get the best quality 14.5-20 you can find. If going 20, I would just pick up a bolt gun at that point. Just my preference. Also, the SSA-E is an excellent choice. Let us know what you end up with.
johnson
12-09-15, 09:54
If you're not stuck on the caliber, maybe a 6.5 Grendel upper.
snowdog650
12-09-15, 09:58
If you're not stuck on the caliber, maybe a 6.5 Grendel upper.

This. It would be total overkill at only 500y, but it sounds like your competitive spirit warrants overkill.
HelloLarry
12-09-15, 14:07
You say it's windy? Then you'll appreciate the extra velocity a 20" gives.
Joelski
12-09-15, 14:55
Go with a 20".308 build so sonny will remember who his daddy is. ;)

Seriously, if you're shooting 2-3 out of 5 now, a bigger pipe will help conquer the wind and let you push farther out when you're ready. I'm in a similar boat and this is what I'm thinking. SR-25 clone! Best thing about the black rifle is if you build it a little at a time, each payday and it's like buying a high-end gun on lay-away without the fees!
AKDoug
12-09-15, 15:36
I built my wife a cheap ass plinker with a scope a couple years ago. Used a Palmetto blem 16" CHF barrel, Aero lower and upper, cheap ass tubular aluminum hand guard, cheap PEPR scope base, and cheap Vortex Crossfire 4-12 scope. Off the bench, my 15 y.o. daughter can run full mags worth of hits on a 12" gong at 500 yards with UMC crap ammo. Prone she misses a few, but not by much.

So... pretty much any decent AR out there with a scope can easily be a 500 yd gun, even more easily with good ammo.
AKDoug
12-09-15, 15:37
double tap
Jwknutson17
12-09-15, 16:29
Ok I'm in on the SR-25 boat. Just pick this up from Ayan at Boltcarrier. https://www.boltcarrier.com/product/limited-edition-m110-semi-automatic-sniper-system-sass

That will blow his socks off.
sig1473
12-09-15, 16:58
I got to shoot my Noveske 14.5 Afghan at 12" steel out 500 with 77SMK hand loads and was blown away at how repeatable and accurate it was. With a 1x4 NF at that distance, You could cover the shots with an open hand. Any of the barrel lengths you mention will be fine if they are quality.

I share the same experience. My 14.5" Afghan is an easy 500yd gun. Mine is topped with a Vortex 2.5-10x32 FFP XLR.
Biged65
12-09-15, 21:35
Thanks for the replies and it sounds like I just need to practice.

.233/5.56 is our caliber although I've considered a .308 for my next build, don't know much about 6.5 Grendel but will do some research. If I had $25G I'd get that bad mother you left a link to Jwknutson17 :)

I'll have to sneak down to the in-laws and practice.
wilson1911
12-09-15, 22:37
Much of longer range shooting is the wind. You can get a 22lr and practice on the cheap at 150 yards. 500 yards is really a chip shot.....let the wind get up and its a whole different ball game. 6.5 gren is on the ar15 (smaller)platform and 6.5 creed is on the 308 platform(large rifle).

grendals are tack drivers at 500 tho. Think of a 556 on steroids. Good for paper, hogs, squirrels, deer, etc..