Receivers for Top Tier barrels

[DVDVC]

So I’ve seen the BCM recommendation due to the thermal fit of the barrel, but what about billet receivers? Are there any that are thermal fit?

[Mustangfreek]

I’ve found that Most billet uppers are tighter fit then std forged uppers..

That is in my experience in dozens of various uppers and configurations.

I know Lap, goo, and shim all my forged uppers, regardless of who their from, but haven’t used a bcm upper. If I was I’d look at the newer one, Mk something or another, with more meat up front.

[Old Bob]

So I’ve seen the BCM recommendation due to the thermal fit of the barrel, but what about billet receivers? Are there any that are thermal fit?

The side charger billet upper receiver I got from Precision Firearms was a thermal fit with a Wilson Combat barrel.

[Klem]

The only billets I have experience with (Mega) were all tight fits and you couldn't glue them if you wanted to. No heating/cooling necessary - they all shoot.

[DVDVC]

Thank you gentlemen for your replies. It looks like the extra cost of a billet receiver is well worth not having to fiddle about with loctite or shims. Do you still lap them?

[biodsl]

So I’ve seen the BCM recommendation due to the thermal fit of the barrel, but what about billet receivers? Are there any that are thermal fit?

JP. Starts at 4:49 minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cOlNGxUhsk&t=693s

[FLshooter]

If I wanted a billet upper receiver, I’d get a mega. $200 and although it’s tight it’s not a PIA to install the barrel. But personally, I don’t see a need for a billet. My forged receivers work every bit as well.
I’ve experimented with it. My shooting buddy has a mega with the same exact Bartlein barrel as mine. No difference whatsoever an accuracy.There are pros and cons to billet vs forged.Personally I‘d buy the forged and put the extra money towards the barrel.

[Klem]

Thank you gentlemen for your replies. It looks like the extra cost of a billet receiver is well worth not having to fiddle about with loctite or shims. Do you still lap them?

Depends on your trust in the manufacturer. Just because it's a billet doesn't mean it's spec'd and true. Mega, before they were bought out by Zev had an extremely good reputation for quality. Mega Arms' parent company Mega Machine services the aerospace industry so their precision and quality control was always going to be up there. Plus the billets were/are 7075 aluminium which is stiffer and it all helps.

I agree with FL however, a billet is no guarantee of tightest groups, but it is a hedge. I have always suspected what he realised with the Bartleins. A lot of concern unrelated to the barrel, scope and trigger is just hand wringing.

[Old Bob]

Thank you gentlemen for your replies. It looks like the extra cost of a billet receiver is well worth not having to fiddle about with loctite or shims. Do you still lap them?

I could not lap my PF billet upper 'cause neither one of my lapping tools would fit. One is made by G&G Rifle Works & the other by PTG.

[DVDVC]

If I wanted a billet upper receiver, I’d get a mega. $200 and although it’s tight it’s not a PIA to install the barrel. But personally, I don’t see a need for a billet. My forged receivers work every bit as well.
I’ve experimented with it. My shooting buddy has a mega with the same exact Bartlein barrel as mine. No difference whatsoever an accuracy.There are pros and cons to billet vs forged.Personally I‘d buy the forged and put the extra money towards the barrel.

Please elaborate on the pros and cons of a billet receiver.

[DVDVC]

Depends on your trust in the manufacturer. Just because it's a billet doesn't mean it's spec'd and true.

Any opinion on Wilson's billet receiver?

[TruLbrt]

Aero m4e1 threaded uppers typically have a tight barrel extension fit.
There's some variance from upper to upper, but the price is right to buy a couple and test it out.

[DVDVC]

I just built a .223 carbine with an Aero Precision M4E1 threaded upper and lower, fairly tight fit with Aero barrel.

[olde sarge]

I agree with Old Bob. I only own one billet upper and it is a PF. The barrel I used was a PF cut Bartlein and had to use grease and tap in with a rubber hammer. Was tight enough that I didn't glue it. Very happy with the PF parts and Mark is good to deal with. They are a bit slow on machining orders but in my opinion worth waiting for. Also have a forged lower and 5 forged uppers from PF, one of which Mark opened up ejection port for me. Happy with everything I have purchased from PF. A PF snob, no, but when something works for me I am not quick to take a chance on
something else.

[drewthebrave]

I tend to prefer hybrid-profile or lightweight barrels no more than 18" long, and for my purposes the standard BCM forged receivers work well enough. A well-designed billet receiver tends to have more mass in critical areas, and can be more rigid than a typical forged receiver, at the cost of a few extra ounces. The added mass & rigidity can be extremely helpful in reducing flex or variance if you plan on using a heavy, long barrel, especially if you plan on adding a heavy suppressor to your barrel. Not all billet uppers are made equally, so be sure to do your research. I've read good reviews of the Mega, JP, and Precision Firearms uppers mentioned in this thread, FYI.

[Kswhitetails]

I own a CMT lower, and just recently bought an upper from the same generation which came to me used. They fit like they were machined on the same day from the same piece of material. Good receivers make solid builds a reality.

I think billet are potentially more better, or more worser. It depends on who made them, and more specifically who final inspected them and the care that was put into ensuring the QC was true and level.

I have a billet set from PF that I have yet to build on that fit well. Aside from a blem in the finish on the mating surface on the lower that looks like the anodizing stuck to some sort of paper shelf it was set on when still wet, they're pretty tight. That rifle, whenever it gets finished should be pretty amazing.

I can tell you, that my BCM upper and lower are without doubt the finest forged receivers I've built on. Which what I can say about the other BCM components I've used along the way as well. I have used forged receivers by: several Anderson, DPMS, UmbCorp, SOLGW, some Aero Precision, and a CMMG receivers, or been involved in helping build or rebuild for accuracy some friends rifles. Of all of them, BCM was always impressive in the way their forged components seemed to be "properly finished" and well, solid. SOLGW was okay, frankly I was dissapointed. The umbrella corp upper was pretty solid too, it didn't require any work to square, and it was pretty tight.

[AK10mm]

When I think of all of the AR15 carbines and rifles I've built since the AWB sunsetted in 2004, the most accurate was a 6X45 built on a Fulton Armory side charging upper. It's a 6061 forging built hell for stout, and also uses a milspec charging handle in addition to the reciprocal side charging handle. I believe it's the only one configured that way?

[Wethepeople]

Although not a billet, has anyone used PRI forged uppers? I saw they had some for $179 a week or so ago. Didn't pull the trigger not having experience with them and price. May reconsider based on positive reports, if I haven't missed the boat. Need a top tier stripped upper for the GB Lilja barrel.

[danm]

Don't forget Seekins if you're looking at billet.

[wreckster84]

As a side note, a billet is nothing other than material that is wrought in bulk form, either by rolling, pressing, or forging, which is then machined to a final shape. It is not inherently stronger than a forged part from a material properties standpoint, other than it may have extra material where a forged receiver may not, purely a function of the machining design. In aerospace manufacturing, forged properties of a near net shape can be much superior and efficient compared to wrought material if the dies and press specifications are developed properly.