Looking for some advice......Need a tack driving upper

[Sojorboy]

Hello everyone, I'm new to AR rifles and need a little help.
I'm currently looking to build a 6.5 Grendel for hunting deer and hogs.
I also need to "impress" my buddies @ the range...sub MOA stuff, u know what I mean... ;-)
Im thinking about a 18" or 20" barrel.
I would like to stay with the black look and maybe a fluted bull barrel, trying to keep the weight down.
Also would like to stick with a smooth hand guard with bipod n sling studs.
I recently purchased a lower and am looking for a complete upper to mount on top.
I've tried researching the net but the more I look the more confused I get :-(
I was thinking maybe a AA Entry Rifle upper or a Precision Firearms Neptune ll.
As anyone had any experience with either ?
I'm certainly open to, and would like to hear about other options !
Tks boys appreciate your help !!

[YutYut]

Almost bought a precision firearms but decided against it after learning more about the Grendel on here. What is your budget on an upper?

[LRRPF52]

Any of the cut-rifled barrels from AA, Templar, and others will shoot well. If you want accuracy guarantee, you pretty much need a cut-rifled pipe.

[bwaites]

Welcome, and some help with your budget might also give us some ideas.

With the stuff you've indicated, I would go with an Alexander Arms Entry, upgrade to the Shilen barrel, and ask for their Mk10 handguard.

[Sojorboy]

O yeah budget.....I was trying to stay somewhere around $1000.00, but willing to spend a little more if it's worth the upgrade.

[Sojorboy]

Almost bought a precision firearms but decided against it after learning more about the Grendel on here. What is your budget on an upper?

Yutyut, what did u learn that turned u from the p.c. ?

[YutYut]

They use a 264-LBC barrel instead of a SAAMI spec Grendel. I wanted a true Grendel chamber and went with Templar Custom

http://templarcustom.com/

Call or email Bob and he will set you up with a great upper. He sells bartein cut rifled barrel/bolt combos. My rig shoots 1/2 to sub moa with factory hornday rounds and an occasional 1/4 inch group will pop up if i do my part. He opened up the ejection port cover on my upper so that all i have to do is swap out barrels and i can send beowulf rounds downrange.

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?1255-Templar-Custom!!

[Sojorboy]

Tks YutYut went over and checked out Templar Custom. That's a pretty nice setup they've got with the 3 in 1 MCWS.

[YutYut]

its really cool. Takes about 10-15 seconds to switch barrels. ill be picking up a beowulf soon.
cut rifled barrel/bolt $575, that leaves you 400 bucks to build the rest of your upper to keep it under 1000.

[Sojorboy]

YutYut, this is my first AR build, as in I only have a stripped lower. How difficult is it to match upper to barrel to bolt and so on? Can I do all this myself or do I need a gunsmith's help ? I'm a little worried about bullet head space etc. with the barrel, bolt and receiver.....? Maybe this is easier than I'm thinking...? :-B

[pinzgauer]

How difficult is it to match upper to barrel to bolt and so on?

Headspace is set by the barrel mfg when the barrel extension is attached. If the bolt is to spec, there is nothing you can do to change headspace.

Get a quality barrel/bolt and that's not something you have to worry about.

There are other tools/things to know building an upper. Most would suggest buying your first upper assembled, but building your lower.

I think I could have built an upper for my first AR, but any problems I encountered I would have been poorly positioned to diagnose. Likewise, I'd not have confidence in it.

You'll spend $75-100 in tools/jigs to build an upper in addition to needing a torque wrench. So no money saved building your own for a single rifle. Building lowers can save money, though not as much as it used to.

[Sojorboy]

Tks pinz for the info. My plans are to build the lower and add a good quality upper. Bolt n barrel got brought up so I thought I would ask while on the subject. Planning for the future. Tks again

[pinzgauer]

If you are like most of us, you'll end up building an upper down the road just to give it a try. And once you do, you'll realize what a genius Stoner was and why an AR (warts and all) is an amazing design from a mfg perspective.

But lowers are a good place to start. I would suggest getting something other than the prevalent DPMS LPK (lower parts kit).

I'd get a DD kit from one of several places, or Palmetto State Armory's kit. (Assuming non-exotic trigger) Places like DSG also offer build kits with carbine stock, LPK, etc at a savings. (assuming you are building a carbine).

The last Daniel Defense LPK I bought was $62 from DSG, cheaper than most place had generic LPK's for, and much better quality.

[sneaky one]

If you want to save $$$ on trigger- send lpk to bill springfield- he does nice work. 3-3.5lb = $35.00

[YutYut]

For a trigger get a geissele. If you can't afford that then get a JP competition. I have one its amazing. No creep and no overtravel. Avoid Jard!