In Search of Accuracy - the AR Platform

[farmerj]

depends on how your rifle is setup and what you use for ammo.

as rip van winkle said, start with a free-float tube and good barrel combo.

A nice fixed stock will do wonders for check weld as well. It's about repeatability. Even with junk 3 shot burst triggers, I have seen guys do amazing things with a stock M4 or M16 series service rifle with no modifications to it. All the way to 800 meters with it too. Easily staying in the X and 10 rings. These guys wear the President's 100 patch for a reason too.

[johnlewjohn]

IMHO, The biggest improvement you will see is finding the correct weight bullet for the rifling twist rate you have.
The 55 gr. bulk ammo that you can find everywhere is marginal with a 1/7 twist.
My point of impact shifts almost 3" between 55gr and 75gr. @ 100yds.
My AR's have really settled in with a 75gr. HPBT bullet. Hornady TAP is fantastic, or load your own.

That, or go get an m1 Garand

[Stugotz]

Some nice looking rifles here.

[farmerj]

shooting that thing off the bags?

[Stugotz]

shooting that thing off the bags?

Shot bags, correct! - Built this to hunt Coyotes.

[DoxaPar]

Lothar Walther 18" barrel length, 8" twist, stainless, .223 Wylde chamber

How's that Lothar Walther barrel? I've heard good things and have been considering them for my first AR build.

[Stugotz]

It came down to a choice between it (Lothar Walther) and a match grade Noveske... I researched what I could on the LW and found nothing to dissuade me from making this my final selection and have been extremely pleased with the choice. (I am actually in the middle of a 2nd build and nearly went this route again, but have decided on a JP Enterprises 16" Lightweight Super Match Stainless Steel barrel with a JP individually head-spaced Enhanced Bolt assembly. (Huge overkill on this set up but ya can't take it with ya!)

[DoxaPar]

It came down to a choice between it (Lothar Walther) and a match grade Noveske... I researched what I could on the LW and found nothing to dissuade me from making this my final selection and have been extremely pleased with the choice. (I am actually in the middle of a 2nd build and nearly went this route again, but have decided on a JP Enterprises 16" Lightweight Super Match Stainless Steel barrel with a JP individually head-spaced Enhanced Bolt assembly. (Huge overkill on this set up but ya can't take it with ya!)

Thanks! I appreciate the feedback.

You picked the three I was choosing from - JP vs. LW vs. Noveske.

I've kinda got my mind on a Mega Arms Upper (side charging) and forged lower. Anyone ever use a billet upper and if so, what are your thoughts? I'm planning (at least at this point) on using the Adams Arms piston kit.

[Rip Van Winkle]

I was just at the JP website. Do guys really pay $480 for button rifled barrels?

For that kind of money I'll stick with Krieger.

[farmerj]

I hear ya.....

I used to work with a guy that would sub contract the JP stuff. Amazing the stuff you learn.

[DoxaPar]

I was just at the JP website. Do guys really pay $480 for button rifled barrels?

For that kind of money I'll stick with Krieger.

Well, no. Because I haven't bought anything yet. I suffer from extreme paralysis of analysis.

The LW are quite a bit less and hence the reason I'm leaning that direction.

[Rip Van Winkle]

Just to clarify, my question wasn't meant to disparage you or anyone else, I was just curious.

There's nothing wrong accuracy wise with button rifled barrels, it's just I get about double the accurate life from single point barrels like Krieger.

[FJ540]

Brownells has White Oak Armory barrels back in stock as well. You get a lot of bang for your buck with their barrels too.

[Rip Van Winkle]

Unless they've changed their supplier, White Oak uses Wilson Blanks.

[Stugotz]

I've kinda got my mind on a Mega Arms Upper (side charging) and forged lower. Anyone ever use a billet upper and if so, what are your thoughts? I'm planning (at least at this point) on using the Adams Arms piston kit.

The present build I am doing is using a Mega Arms 223 MKM (AR-15) Billet Rifle Length Single Rail Upper Receiver with KeyMod Handguard though this will be mated with a Mega Arms Billet 3H Lower Receiver. (Fit and finish is said to be flawless!)