I posted this on my "regular" AZ forum, but I'll throw it up over here, too.
I'm kicking around the idea of an AR build in the next year (or whenever cash flow permits), and I've got some basic issues decided, but need to bounce some things off the experts.
I'd like to build a varminter for practicing accuracy shooting, and Rock River's 24" complete upper with the Wilson stainless barrel and .223 Wylde chambering seems like a good foundation. See here for pic:
http://www.rockriverarms.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=AR0510X&storeid=1&image=uveop.gif&CFID=28143960&CFTOKEN=14575415
This leads me to my questions:
1) The ranges I shoot at will probably be between 100-300 yards. I've been told to use something heavier than 55-gr for longer distances, like a 69-gr bullet, and for that I should use the 1-8" twist rather than a 1-12" barrel. I could theoretically shoot some 5.56 also if I find a good deal on it, so keep that in mind (hence the Wylde chamber). Sound right?
Yes, but a good compromise might be a 1-9 IT will provide the largest amount of stability to grain bullet for those distances. There's a good data chart out there regardin twist/barrle lenght and bullet weight out there (can't find it)
2) If I do go with the 1-8" barrel, I can still use the more common 55-gr for closer-in plinking, right?
1-8 will work just fine, but 1-9 will give you more options across more Grs. (IMHO)
3) I'm leaning toward a "conventional" rifle scope for the optics (nothing too fancy yet), so would the EOP upper be better than the standard flat-top? (The EOP raises the platform by 3/4" to better accomodate optics.)
I still would go with a Flat-top, again because more likey than not you'll change optics and range "type".
4) Would a single-stage or two-stage trigger be preferable? By it's very nature, this gun will most likely be slow-fired, and I don't know enough about the characteristics of the different triggers to make an educated decision.
Here's where I differ from most, I love a single stage, but if you look around the most like 2 stage.
5) Any suggestions for the brand of lower? I'm leaning toward Magpul's PRS for the stock, if that makes any difference.
The PRS Rocks...I will soon own one. Lower: RRA is good, as well as STAG.
I could probably learn long-distance shooting more cheaply with a standard bolt-gun, but I'd rather do it with an AR. They're so easily modified it seems like a great way to go. Thanks for reading--it's a bit long, but I'm planning on drawing on all the collective AR experience that inhabits this forum.