I've decided to build an A2 upper to compete in the TN Mid-South Guard and Reserve Rifle Match, which somewhat follows the same rules as an SRS match. (Service Rifle Silhouette) No free floating allowed and no match ammo or handloads. No shooting jackets, no leather slings, etc. The rifle has to be a rack grade rifle but they do allow heavy barrels with a 5lb min trigger and yes they inspect them. I've got everything to build the upper but a barrel and I don't want to dump alot of money into it since I'll only shoot it a couple times a year. Should I use a Stainless 1/8, Chrome moly 1/9 or Chrome-line 1/9?

I've shot high power years ago on the Corps nickel and equipment so this is getting more back to basics.


Course of Fire.
Service Rifle Silhouette(SRS) Match (50 Shots)
The militaryM9 25 meter pistol target is used at all distances. It has a 3, 4, and 5 scoring
ring with an additional 6 inch circle in the 5 ring. This is designated as the "V" ring.
It is scored as 5 points and used as a tie breaker.
There are four shooting stages to this match:
· 300 yards prone slow fire;
20 shots, (plus max 5 sighters). All rounds loaded and fired one at a time.
Each shot is scored individually. Time is one minute for each shot (25 minutes) plus a 3
minute preparation time before firing begins.
· 300 yards prone rapid fire;
10 shots. Shot as 1 rapid fire string of 10 shots with one magazine change during the
string. Scored after each string. Time is 3 minutes preparation time, and 60 seconds for
the string with shooters starting from the prone position. No sighters given. This stage
shot after 300 yard slow fire prone and a good zero should already been achieved.
· 200 yards sitting rapid fire;
10 shots, (plus max 5 sighters) rapid fire. Shot as 1 rapid fire string of 10 shots with one
magazine change during the string. Scored after each string. Time is 3 minutes
preparation time, 5 minutes for sighters, and 60 seconds for the string with shooters
starting from the sitting position.
· 200 yards standing timed fire;
10 shots. Shot as 1 string of 10 shots with no magazine change during the string. Scored

I shot the all army matches in 2004- we shot at the m9 target at 500 yards with stock gi barrels and any misses were due to poor wind reading or trigger control rather than anything else. A good standard gi profile barrel will do just fine out to 300 yards.

quite honestly, I've not found any 55 or 62 grain load that shoots better than any other except that any of the steel case stuff definitely shoots worse.
out to 300 yards we have found that 55 grain lead core generally shoots better than the 62 grain green tip if that helps.

UPDATE!!!!!!

I placed third at the Mid-South Guard and Reserve M-16 Match, I had a small hickup on the offhand timed fire. It was as a faithful A2 clone as I could build without alerting the ATF and I used Federal 55gr FMJ red box.
Score 210-10V, it was disappointing, at the practice match I scored a 224. I took first place on the 200 rapid fire 47-5V

The rifle is an absolute tack driver, five spotters at the 200 in the 3" V-ring.

Not bad for a stock gun and aging eyes.