18" 5.56 Rifle Build

[AndyLate]

I was looking to build a rifle gas AR that carries more magification than my 1-4 LPVO equipped 16" guns. Use is primarily shooting targets, varmints, maybe deer or antelope - you could very loosely call it a SPR build. I wanted it to be suitable for more than simply carrying back and forth between the house and the range. This was a work in progress and took a few years to finalize.

I ended up with a soft shooting 9 lb rifle gassed 18" gun. The LaRue trigger is nice, and the CHF barrel appears to have decent precision potential. I love and hate the Noveske NHR rail, it's solid and has a great profile, but it seems like it fought me during every installation step. I think the scope is well matched to a 5.56, and it seems to be decent glass. It is NOT a cutting edge gun, for sure.

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With my 11.3 pistol

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A lady co-worker shot this 5 shot group at 50 meters with it.

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Parts list:
Stripped Sabre Defence upper and lower receivers
Phosphate SDI carrier and HPT/MPI bolt with springco extractor spring
BCM A5 receiver extension, A5H2 buffer, and mil-spec rifle spring
LPK - ALG parts, LaRue 2 stage trigger and Sionics ambi safety
Phosphate 18" CHF Rainier Mountain series, 1/7 twist with an A2 FH and Troy LPGB
16.7" Noveske keymod/picatinny hybrid rail
Magpul STR stock, Ergo pistol grip
Vortex PST 2.5-10x32 FFP scope, Warne x-skel mount

[Red*Lion]

Looks very nice my friend.

[hotrodder636]

I am having really good luck with my Rainier UltraMatch 18” barrel. I think you will be pleased with yours.

Rifle looks nice Andy!

[AndyLate]

Thank you both.

I know the UltraMatch barrels will shoot circles around the chrome lined CHF ones, but this barrel certainly shows potential.

The last range trip was interesting. I was shooting decent groups zeroing at 50 meters then my co-worker put me to shame by just hammering little groups one after another. She was on fire.

Andy

[hotrodder636]

Has your co-worker shot before? If not, always fun to get someone new into shooting and they come out of the gates like that.

Thank you both.

I know the UltraMatch barrels will shoot circles around the chrome lined CHF ones, but this barrel certainly shows potential.

The last range trip was interesting. I was shooting decent groups zeroing at 50 meters then my co-worker put me to shame by just hammering little groups one after another. She was on fire.

Andy

[AndyLate]

Has your co-worker shot before? If not, always fun to get someone new into shooting and they come out of the gates like that.

She had not fired a gun before a year or so ago when I introduced her to shooting, but tags along to 1 or 2 times a month now (well, pre-panic ammo shortage).

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Nice. 18 inch and 11.5 are becoming my favorite lengths. My 18 inches tend more towards ‘gaming’ with adjustable gas and a brake. The ability to read your own splash on distance shots, even in non-optimal positions, is great.


Nice rifle.

[Straight Shooter]

Man Im diggin those rifles...Id like to run that 11.3 especially. I almost, really almost, went with that same barrel on my spr, but was dead set on a 20" barrel, which I didnt see in that line, so I went with a Criterion.
What ammo did yall use for the 50 yard group? Good on you for taking the lady shooting, thats awesome.
Show us some 100yds groups when you can, I bet if you could score some Black hills or IMI 69/77 grainers it would be tack driver.

[AndyLate]

Man Im diggin those rifles...Id like to run that 11.3 especially. I almost, really almost, went with that same barrel on my spr, but was dead set on a 20" barrel, which I didnt see in that line, so I went with a Criterion.
What ammo did yall use for the 50 yard group? Good on you for taking the lady shooting, thats awesome.
Show us some 100yds groups when you can, I bet if you could score some Black hills or IMI 69/77 grainers it would be tack driver.

I'm pretty sure that group was 50 gr tipped Federal American Eagle. We took a variety of ammo and handloads to the range that day.

After my back is fixed I will shoot some 100 or 200 yard groups hopefully.

Andy

[ViniVidivici]

Damn nice build! Looks like it's got alot of potential, which you are already seeing.