AR-15 ?

[Attocs]

Thinking about building an AR-15 but unsure where to start. I won't be a able to purchase it all at once so it won't break the bank.
Would like to get advice on the caliber .223 or 5.56 as I would primarily use it for target shooting. Is the cartridge price and availability
the same? There are so many brands and options out there it makes my little brain hurt.
Thanks, Scott   

[Charlie Foxtrot]

Welcome. Scott.

Eric (Quitter!) Shelton podcasted about his build of AR-15s.  His discussions are archived here. His "Divisible by 5" numbered Handgun Podcasts series dealt with Black Rifles. 

Eric also highly recommended this forum for AR builds: http://www.m4carbine.net/

[Attocs]

Thanks Charlie, I'll check it out.
Scott

[NS2]

.223 v., 5.56 is an easy choice.

5.56

They are essentially the same round with the 5.56 being of higher pressure.  You can shoot .223 through a rifle chambered for 5.56, but not the other way around.  Some high end barrels have an option of a "Wylde" chamber that is supposed to be designed for optimum performance with both rounds.

5.56 is much more readily available.  I know some who swear by the .223 claiming it has better accuracy potential, but you couldn't prove it by me.

If your primary use is for target shooting, (isn't everything we shoot at a target? ), then you may want to focus the majority of your time and energy on barrel research.  Once you have chosen the material, length, twist rate, weight, etc., then you can match it with the proper ammunition.  After the barrel, focus on the receiver set and the trigger group.

IME, the 5.56 has a broad range of available weights and types of loads so again, it is the better of the two options you have presented.

[NS2]

One other thing...

If you do choose to go on M4Carbine.net, and that is an excellent suggestion, make sure you read more than you write and use the search options before submitting any questions.

A lot of the members there are less than tolerant.  They are a great source of info!  Just do your research first.

Good hunting!

[Attocs]

Thank you NS2, I appreciate your time and your advice. I will do the reading as you and Charlie suggested on the M4Carbine.net.

Thanks, Scott

[Devereaux]

Heck, just listen to NS2. He's a whole lot more knowledgeable and experienced than most of M4carbine, and a whole boatload nicer to talk to.

[NS2]

Thanks Dev,

Scott,

Anyway you choose to go for advice, remember to take it all in but then verify.  There are a lot of opinions and unqualified experts out there willing to tell you all you need to know without a lot of actual experience.

Brownell's GunTech website has some great videos on the actual build process.  http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/guntech/  You can trust the information from there.

My personal favorite for the receiver set:  http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=248



and...

http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=56

[xmunckx]

Question of my own:
Clearly La Rue makes great quality stuff but when it comes to an upper and lower receiver what is it that sets theirs apart?
It has always been my ( all be it limited ) experience that for the most part a receiver was list a receiver and there wasn't much of a difference between them.
The exception being the Colt receivers with the different hole sizes.   

Thanks. 

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[NS2]

When built within proper tolerances, a receiver is just that.

LaRue's stuff takes things above and beyond.  The material is specifically chosen based on years of experience from his own work and that of the men who use them in the worst possible environments.  They are fully machined from billet aluminum and each item is test fitted to ensure quality and fit.

The lower has an integrated trigger guard that is much more robust and eliminates that pesky breaking of the rear ears on the lesser quality receivers.  The mag well is reinforced, flared and beveled which aids in longevity, strength and ease of reloading.  The ridge around mag release is taller than mil-spec and has proven helpful when operating with gloves. The buffer tube area is also reinforced which In my mind. A huge asset in hostile environments.

Overall the quality is closely managed by the man with his name on the part.  The tolerances are much more closely monitored and tightly held than the average mil-spec part from other manufacturers. 

[NS2]

The LaRue an others like it are certainly not the most economical, but IME, you buy once and you cry once.

[Devereaux]

Since we are talking AR, ?how big a deal is carrier tilting. To be honest, I have only a vague idea about what it is. ?Why does it occur, how come it seems more prone to be found with piston guns, how come no one builds an upper that controls the carrier enough not to get the tilt.

Lot of questions - sorry!

[NS2]

The Sig 516 has addressed the issue and mine, after 16000 rounds, shows no sign of carrier tilt.  The buffer tube is smooth and evenly worn.

I just picked up a Sig M400 yesterday so we'll have to wait and see on the DI gun.

I personally do not see carrier tilting as a problem any longer as long as it is a well designed and quality manufactured part. Originally the piston guns were just a modified DI gun.  Now, the well made and high quality piston guns are designed to work from the ground up. 

Another reason to not buy the least expensive, but the best quality for your intended purposes. 

My LaRue guns are all DI, so I can't say either way about tilting with them.

FWIW: piston guns are not worth the added expense unless your going to use it in the most hostile of environments. 

[Attocs]

Again, thanks NS2. I put LaRue in my Favorites, and I do understand tight tolerances as I work for a company that machines
medical parts.
 I love your Quote,   "you buy once and you cry once." As I can't purchase a completed gun i don't mind paying
a little more.

[NS2]

There's huge value, and I say fun as well, in building a gun one part at a time.  It doesn't necessarily work out monetarily all the time, but choosing each part puts the final product in your hand as a bespoke firearm.

It's other people's parts, but it's your gun from stem to stern.

Please keep us updated as you progress if you don't mind.  I think it'll be fun to see what you build for yourself.

We are here if you need help or just want to talk out your choices.  There's a lot of good folks here and they'll help when they can.

Good luck!

[NS2]

Scott,

I picked up this rifle on MON. 



It is a Sig M400.  They sell for about $850 street price right now.  it is a DI gun.



After $800 in parts it is now this. 





The most expensive thing was the optic at $479.

Sometimes it is less expensive to buy a complete gun and then swap out what you want.

Just another thing to think about for your build.

[Attocs]

NICE!!!!

[Skarz.Skog]

I've tried it both ways and it was easier and less expensive to buy a complete gun and swap out to what I wanted.  I had NS2 walk me through the process my first time and now I'm on my third AR system rifle.  They're like tattoos or potato chips.  Once you have one, you really need to have more.

[NS2]

How are you doing on your build Scott???

[Attocs]

Well, I was checking out Brownell's and liked the Daniels Defense upper, AR-15/M16 DDMRv2 UPPER RECEIVER GROUP with  HSA-15 CARBINE LOWER RECEIVER. Also still thinking about the LaRue, and checking out Head Down Products. It will be around Christmas before I can start purchasing as long as the overtime is still there at work.