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Another noob question about receivers.
With a 24" heavy barrel, I see everyone recommending a billet upper. What about the lower? Can you mix a billet upper with a forged lower, or should I go with a complete billet receiver?
Does anyone have data and/or experience with the various billet/forged combinations with 24" heavy barrels?
I have a Wilson Combat SST .223 with PRS stock and 2-stage trigger that I really like and shoot well.
I have a GR 24" heavy barrel and bolt on order from AA. I had planned on building the upper at JD Machine, but they do not make billet uppers for AR-15 (only for AR-10). So back to drawing board.
I am looking to push my limits on my local range (out to 890 yards), but probably not going to do much more than local competitions. It won't be shot everyday, but want to build as accurate and reliable gun as I can. Funding is not an issue - but don't want to spend where I don't have to.
Billet is a good route to go with if you are using a heavy or long/heavy barrel. The AR receiver is designed to support a very lightweight barrel, that is rarely seen anymore, though regaining popularity.
I think the best route is to go with a billet set of receivers that are mated to each other for a tight fit, or a billet upper tightly mated to a forged lower. I personally will go through 3-7 different receiver sets looking for the type of fit I want for a particular project, whereas most shops who make a quality billet set will send you one good-to-go out of the box.
Mega makes a good set, as do several other shops. Rainier Arms usually stocks various billet sets, as does Brownell's. Spike's also has a billet set for the AR15.
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i like billet over forged especially for long heavy barrels and they usually dont cost much more than quality forged components i also really like sundevil
http://www.sundevilmfg.com/ they incorporate a tension screw into the lower it makes for a ridiculously tight upper lower fit
Rick,
I Have a forged upper with a 24" SS Bull Barrel, the barrel weighs about 5 lbs alone, and a plastic lower with a plastic trigger group, and the A2 stock that came with the J&T kit. The round count for this rifle is quickly approaching 2000 rounds. That being said, I think that people tend to underestimate new technologies and advancements in manufacturing practices. But after having an Alexander Arms side charging billet upper in my hands, and comparing it (side by side) to a forged upper I would completely agree with anyone recommending the use of a billet upper for a custom built rifle with a long heavy barrel. They have a lot more beef in the areas that seem to matter.
As for the lower, I am still absolutely happy with my PlumCrazy polymer lower. If you have the chance to visit a local gun shop and they sell polymer lowers, ask the guy behind the counter to mate a poly lower to a forged or billet upper, you will be very surprised at how tight the fit is.
+1 to a tight fitting upper\lower, regardless of the path you choose.
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My billet uppers mate nicely with my forged lowers. YMMV.
Drifter
Posts: 783
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Thanks guys. Went ahead with the AA billet upper kit and will see how well it matches up to my forged lower. The upper was in stock.
BTW - AA told me that the 24" heavy barrels would be in in two weeks and they would fill my order (May 7) if enough pass QC.
The only thing(s) to really consider when it comes upper and lower receivers as far as strength and durability are concerned are:
A) Aluminum Grade/Type: Choose 7075-T6 over 6061-T6 .
B) A well known brand and/or one that meets or exceeds Mil-Spec standards.
I personaly would shy away from the polymer lowers as they don't yet have a long track record, but they are priced right...YMMV
I would like to hear if anyone has experience with the new frontier armory polymer lowers. As far as forged vs billet goes, it depends more on the manufacturer than the manufacturing method. With that said, I'd go with billet if I had the money to.
