[Q] Building an Upper

[aclark]

Ok I am looking into building a 6.5 Grendel SPR style, at first I was thinking about buying a complete upper from AA or someone else, but I can't find exactly what I want. After looking more at the AA website, I see you can buy just the barrels and bolts. I'm a bit intrigued so I thought I'd see what else I might need if I went this route.

http://www.shopalexanderarms.com/NEW_Barrel_Kits-20_Heavy_6.5_Grendel_Barrel_and_Bolt.html

I'm thinking about buying the barrel, bolt, and stripped upper.

Does anyone have any experience with any of the listed muzzle devices?

If I buy this, with the bolt, do I need to get it blasted and painted, or do most barrels come coated/SS?

What other parts am I looking to buy? I think I know, but I'm not sure.
Low pro gas block, gas tube, bolt carrier, charging handle, and Troy Alpha rail

[aclark]

Well it looks like I just missed something. The barrel comes in SS by default, any advantage to blasting and/or paint other than aesthetics?

Still looking for advice on the muzzle devices, and the other parts needed for a complete upper.

Thanks

[Chato308]

Look through some of the builds on here and get some ideas

[aclark]

Look through some of the builds on here and get some ideas

What? Did you even read the thread, or are you just trying to boost your post count?

[LR1955]

What? Did you even read the thread, or are you just trying to boost your post count?

AC:

Most here would give the same advice as Chato.

I think you would get more detailed responses if you said what you wanted to do with the rifle. General blasting? Hunting? IPSC? High Power?

Brakes, compensators, flash suppressors et. al will fall in place.

As for post counts. I don't think anyone cares.

LR1955

[aclark]

Its not a question of what I am looking to do with the rifle. I know what I am doing build wise, in a sense. I just need to know the following, in a general AR build.

1. Any advantage to blasting and/or paint other than aesthetics?
2. What other parts am I looking to buy to build a complete upper? I think I know, but I'm not sure.
Low pro gas block, gas tube, bolt carrier, charging handle, and Troy Alpha rail, barrel nut

If you really want to know what the rifle is going to be well here you go.

I am building on a PSA lower with PSA LPK, AR Gold Trigger, Magpul PRS stock. Upper will be an 18-20" with Troy Alpha TRX rail. Mounting a Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40 in a LaRue QD mount. Shooting mostly from bench or prone out to 200-500yds.

[LR1955]

Its not a question of what I am looking to do with the rifle. I know what I am doing build wise, in a sense. I just need to know the following, in a general AR build.

1. Any advantage to blasting and/or paint other than aesthetics?
2. What other parts am I looking to buy to build a complete upper? I think I know, but I'm not sure.
Low pro gas block, gas tube, bolt carrier, charging handle, and Troy Alpha rail, barrel nut

If you really want to know what the rifle is going to be well here you go.

I am building on a PSA lower with PSA LPK, AR Gold Trigger, Magpul PRS stock. Upper will be an 18-20" with Troy Alpha TRX rail. Mounting a Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40 in a LaRue QD mount. Shooting mostly from bench or prone out to 200-500yds.

AC:

In that case, you don't need a flash suppresor, break, or comp. Get a 11 degree target crown instead.

I also advise you to get a premium barrel. Shilen, Krieger, etc.

There is no advantage to a coating for what you intend for the rifle.

An adjustable gas block will probably be of value.

Use a rifle length gas tube.

Not sure what a Troy Alpha Rail will do for you if your primary intent is to shoot from a bench. I would rather avoid a rail system on the forend and just go with a tube type of forend.

You see what you can get for information if you just say what you want the rifle for?

LR1955

[Chato308]

Barrel coating is usually personal preference on stainless barrels. To build a upper you need the following: stripped upper or partially stripped upper, bolt carrier, bolt, barrel, gas block, gas tube, forearm, barrel nut, muzzle device, and sights.

[leopard6.5]

aclark: The blasting is usually for people who don't want any reflection off the barrel or for anyone who just likes the looks.

Of course if you're in a life and death sniping situation having a reflection off the barrel is a big no-no just like having a diffuser on your scope.
Mostly it's just personal preference.

As far as muzzle devices, it depends on personal preference and what you like to use.
I prefer just a basic flashhider like the A2 but I have heard really good things about the WCI brake as far as it keeping you on target.
All the brakes have more side blast than the flashhiders so you should consider where you shoot.

Your list of parts for an upper build looks pretty complete except for an upper receiver, unless it's included in the Troy rail as I'm not familiar with it.
Also as you mentioned before, a muzzle device of some kind if you're not getting a target crown.

Good luck with your build and great shooting.

Lee

[aclark]

I was going to get the barrel with the bolt, a stripped upper, and the muzzle device (if i decide I want one of the listed). Thinking more comp than flash hider, just don't know a lot about them. As for the Troy Alpha, it is a tube type, just has a continuous top rail, which I like the look of, other than that, its standard tube.

So basically that leaves me with the part I listed before. At least that's what I THINK I need.
Low pro gas block (adjustable), gas tube, bolt carrier, charging handle, and barrel nut

I have an AR now, but I only built the lower, bought a complete upper, so I didn't know what parts I would need 100%

So it looks like I'm at $456 for just the parts from AA (including the WCI brake), another $200 or so for the Troy rail, and I'm guessing another $200 for the odds and ends listed above. Should have a nice upper for about $850-900.

[LR1955]

I was going to get the barrel with the bolt, a stripped upper, and the muzzle device (if i decide I want one of the listed). Thinking more comp than flash hider, just don't know a lot about them. As for the Troy Alpha, it is a tube type, just has a continuous top rail, which I like the look of, other than that, its standard tube.

So basically that leaves me with the part I listed before. At least that's what I THINK I need.
Low pro gas block (adjustable), gas tube, bolt carrier, charging handle, and barrel nut

I have an AR now, but I only built the lower, bought a complete upper, so I didn't know what parts I would need 100%

So it looks like I'm at $456 for just the parts from AA (including the WCI brake), another $200 or so for the Troy rail, and I'm guessing another $200 for the odds and ends listed above. Should have a nice upper for about $850-900.

AC:

Didn't know that about the rail. I don't have answers to the other questions. Honestly, I don't think that in your specific case, they matter aside from ensuring that you put the pieces together properly and the headspace is good.

A AA barrel is a Shaw. They are hunting grade barrels. Buy a hunting grade barrel and you will get hunting grade results. You will find that at 100 yards, probably not any different unless you shoot four or five each five shot groups for comparison. Then you will see a difference. At 200 you will be suspicious. Past 200 and you will see the difference between a top end barrel and a hunting grade barrel. It may shoot five or ten consecutive shots well, but probably not an entire 20 shot string. And, as it heats up and you get some wear on it, it will crap out. If you buy a top end barrel, it will give you top end results from the first shot through the life of the barrel. Mid grade would be a Lothar Walther barrel. You will see that they are better than a Shaw but they aren't better than a Krieger.

I have used both the fixed and adjustable WCI brake. I am not sure if they work more because of their weight or of their design. The adjustable type will change zero as you adjust it. They weigh about a pound and having a pound of steel on the end of a light recoiling rifle probably does as much to dampen recoil than the venting. If I had to do it again and really wanted a compensator, I would get one of much smaller design. It will not make your rifle shoot any better. In fact, now you have increased the chance the barrel won't shoot as well as you are hanging a weight on the end of it. And, compensators are not a good idea when shooting prone due to noise and the crap all compensators will throw in the air and back into your face. They are loud for the shooter, and louder if you shoot from under some sort of cover or from a concrete pad. Oh yes, lock tite the brake with blue lock tite or it will probably unscrew as you shoot.

$900.00? For that I would look at what Templar can offer with a good barrel.

LR1955

[fkleinbu]

I would drop another $40 bucks on a couple of books detailing the building of the upper.. One of the ones I found very useful is "The Competitive AR15 Builders Guide", by Glen D. Zediker.. Then of course you will need a few specialized tools, so add another $100 to $400 to that bottom line..

flk k

[LRRPF52]

The blasted surface will allow any coating to adhere to the steel much better, meaning longevity of the finish if you choose one. If you're using the Troy Alpha 13", you will need a low-pro gas block to fit under the handguard.

For muzzle devices, you don't really need one for a bench-rider, but you could go with a break if you like the idea of being able to spot your own rounds.

[aclark]

I have a couple people in the area that I shoot with that are willing to help me build it. They have the tools (vice block, barrel wrench, etc) so thats not a problems. As for the break, I was thinking for bullet sighting, follow up shots, etc. I have an email out to Templar so I'll see what comes from that.

[65G_Sethum]

you will also need the pin for the gas block/tube. Im also going with the alpha rail. i like it because you can add more rails to it if need be and its just streamline in my opinion.