Like everyone else these days, I'm interested in building an AR. If I stick with the standard platform setup, I'll likely go with 5.56 since, as I understand it, they have a higher SAAMI rating and fit both rounds better (whereas a .223 barrel won't fit a 5.56?). However, I've read a little bit about the newer 6.8 SPC round and am curious about that. In all, I'm looking for something similar to the M4 I carried for 15 months in Iraq but ideally a little nicer. This would be used primarily for plinking. However, I would like it to be suitable for small game and, if using the 6.8 SPC barrel, maybe deer?
My primary questions are (and feel free to let me know if I've missed other significant and related considerations):
1) What do I need to be concerned with in barrels, both length and rifling? I'm thinking of something in the 14" range. What type of accuracy can I get with that at 300, 400, 500 yards?
2) What should I consider when buying an upper receiver. I don't worry about build quality with the lower so much, but I'm willing to spend more money if necessary to get a high-performance, durable upper. I'm not using this for match so quarter-sized shot groups at 100+ yards are not my primary concern. I would rather put money into durability and quality of internals, rather than externals that look like they came out of a new XBox game. What's the bottom line on a good, quality upper? (This is one I've considered, although twice as expensive as some more "standard" ones.
3) What about swapping this out with 6.8 SPC rounds? I believe if I were to move up to a .308 barrel, I'd have to get a new upper altogether, no? However, my understanding is that 6.8 is interchangeable, just needing a new barrel and bolt (assuming the whole bolt carrier assembly, or is it just the bolt itself?). I know that buying a separate upper kit and having sights mounted on that would make swapping this out immeasurably easier and would avoid having to resight every time I swap out the barrel. However, as it stands, I don't have the money for this whole rifle right now. I'd like something I can use year-round, for amusement and varmint hunting most of the time, then swapping out the 5.56 for the 6.8 during deer season. Although more complicated, is this a feasible option?
4) Although not related to the upper build, I'm curious about triggers. My service M4 had a horrible trigger (although I didn't realize it at the time). I have a Kahr MP4 as my every day carry and have grown to love the trigger on that. (It's a fairly long, very smooth but somewhat heavy DAO.) Do they make similarly smooth triggers for M4/ARs for less than $150? I might forego the nicer trigger for now and just stick with factory for the time being. But if I can get into a nicer trigger for $150 or less, I might.
As I said, these are my primary concerns. However, if there are significant issues with my underlying assumptions, I would love to hear criticism of that as well. Thanks.
My primary questions are (and feel free to let me know if I've missed other significant and related considerations):
1) What do I need to be concerned with in barrels, both length and rifling? I'm thinking of something in the 14" range. What type of accuracy can I get with that at 300, 400, 500 yards?
2) What should I consider when buying an upper receiver. I don't worry about build quality with the lower so much, but I'm willing to spend more money if necessary to get a high-performance, durable upper. I'm not using this for match so quarter-sized shot groups at 100+ yards are not my primary concern. I would rather put money into durability and quality of internals, rather than externals that look like they came out of a new XBox game. What's the bottom line on a good, quality upper? (This is one I've considered, although twice as expensive as some more "standard" ones.
3) What about swapping this out with 6.8 SPC rounds? I believe if I were to move up to a .308 barrel, I'd have to get a new upper altogether, no? However, my understanding is that 6.8 is interchangeable, just needing a new barrel and bolt (assuming the whole bolt carrier assembly, or is it just the bolt itself?). I know that buying a separate upper kit and having sights mounted on that would make swapping this out immeasurably easier and would avoid having to resight every time I swap out the barrel. However, as it stands, I don't have the money for this whole rifle right now. I'd like something I can use year-round, for amusement and varmint hunting most of the time, then swapping out the 5.56 for the 6.8 during deer season. Although more complicated, is this a feasible option?
4) Although not related to the upper build, I'm curious about triggers. My service M4 had a horrible trigger (although I didn't realize it at the time). I have a Kahr MP4 as my every day carry and have grown to love the trigger on that. (It's a fairly long, very smooth but somewhat heavy DAO.) Do they make similarly smooth triggers for M4/ARs for less than $150? I might forego the nicer trigger for now and just stick with factory for the time being. But if I can get into a nicer trigger for $150 or less, I might.
As I said, these are my primary concerns. However, if there are significant issues with my underlying assumptions, I would love to hear criticism of that as well. Thanks.