Aero Precision and Faxon 18" Build .5" groups at 200 Yards

[Squid]

A few months back I decided to build an AR specifically for hunting at longer ranges in and outside of California. Many of you may have tracked the 6.5 Grendel I built from a Troy Pump Action Rifle. For this build, I wanted a semi-auto. I decided to go with a Faxon 18" barrel and Aero Precison M4E1 upper. The Optic is a Sightron S-TAC 3-16x42 on a Warne Ramp 30 mount. The lower has a Thordsen Stock with CMMC trigger.



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Originally, I wanted to zero and hunt with Hornady 123 grain SSTs. At 100 yards they made a nice group but at 200 yards they opened to a 3" group. I decided to try the Alexander Arms 120 grain Barnes TSX and I'm glad I did. My rifle shot a .5" group at 200 yards.

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Last week, this rifle and ammo combo helped me bag my first wild, free range Mouflon Ram at 315 yards.

[drewthebrave]

Nice build, and excellent shooting!

[MarkS]

Oh man that is a nice rifle.

I've had the 18" Faxon barrel and the M4E1 Lower & Enhanced upper in my cart at Primary Arms for over month. Every time I get ready to buy it, one of the parts goes out of stock, so I just wait. Seeing this makes me regret my procrastination.

However, I did stop by Primary Arms this morning though and picked up a new AP Quantum handguard for my 12" Grendel. I really like how my supressor is recessed into the handguard. Gives it a nice clean look.

I also stopped at Bass Pro and picked up some Barnes 120gr TTSX's to try out. After seeing what you did, I'm really looking forward to getting them loaded up and flinging them downrange to see what they'll do.

[MarkS]

Tell us about your tripod setup...

[Squid]

Tell us about your tripod setup...

Manfrotto 322RC2 ball, LaRue Tactical LT666x06-ADP QD Adapter Mount and Amazon Carbon Fiber 66" Camera Tripod.

[MarkS]

Nice setup. Didn't realize that LaRue made those. Thanks for the info!

[Squid]

Oh man that is a nice rifle.

I've had the 18" Faxon barrel and the M4E1 Lower & Enhanced upper in my cart at Primary Arms for over month. Every time I get ready to buy it, one of the parts goes out of stock, so I just wait. Seeing this makes me regret my procrastination.

However, I did stop by Primary Arms this morning though and picked up a new AP Quantum handguard for my 12" Grendel. I really like how my supressor is recessed into the handguard. Gives it a nice clean look.

I also stopped at Bass Pro and picked up some Barnes 120gr TTSX's to try out. After seeing what you did, I'm really looking forward to getting them loaded up and flinging them downrange to see what they'll do.

Thank you. I'm a big fan of the Barnes 120 TSX, I've taken Deer, Hogs, Sheep and Goats with them. I've never had anything walk away. Last September I took a Ram at 250 yards with that round from my Grendel PAR.

[kpswihart]

Pretty cool when it all comes together. Great setup.

[GoneHiking]

Very nice!

[Javman]

Very Nice!

[Popeye212]

Very nice

[OpFor1]

I am green with envy!
Well done!

[6.5 Grendel Fever]

Nicely done, awesome rifle and super pictures.
Quote...
" I'm a big fan of the Barnes 120 TSX, I've taken Deer, Hogs, Sheep and Goats with them. I've never had anything walk away."

Will be looking into those pills as well. Thanks for your thread.

[BluntForceTrauma]

Nice build and good shootin'. I like how that "California" stock — unlike most — actually isn't bad looking.

[Squid]

Nice build and good shootin'. I like how that "California" stock — unlike most — actually isn't bad looking.

Thank you. The Thordsen FRS Gen 3 is by far my favorite featureless option. I also build a Troy Pump Action Grendel is it's allowed to have the "evil features."

[armedferret]

very nice! i'm also well entrenched in the barnes camp for hunting. 120 tipped out of my 7-08 is my go-to on this continent, though i've never hunted grizzly.

[Squid]

very nice! i'm also well entrenched in the barnes camp for hunting. 120 tipped out of my 7-08 is my go-to on this continent, though i've never hunted grizzly.

I'm about to try a specific load and hope it works as good as what I've read. Barnes 100 grain TTSX with A-2460 Powder. Velocity will be right around 3000 fps.

[Michael-95037]

Let us know how it works. 3000 fps from and 18" barrel could be a real winner for all of us hunters.

[PPCLI-JIM]

Nice looking rifle,

[Squid]

Let us know how it works. 3000 fps from and 18" barrel could be a real winner for all of us hunters.

I opted to not try the compressed load (30.3) but did work up loads to 30.0. I will be heading to the range Thursday to test them out.