Hello all, just completed and tested my "budget" build for myself. Idea was simple: spend as little as possible without buying from companies I've never really heard of. All up cost was just under $588 for the rifle, basic iron sights, with 4 GI type mags. Shot 3/4" (3 MOA) consistently at 25 yards but I know I could have done better. I expect ~2 MOA by some of the shot groups it produced. Ate 74 rounds of Federal XM193 with zero issues.

Upper-Radical Firearms Complete with FGS handguard, 1/9 melonited barrel, A2 flash hider
BCG-AIM Surplus BDG
Charging Handle-Anderson
Stripped Lower-Spike's Tactical
Lower Build Kit-FatBoy Tactical
Sights-Command Arms
Mags-DSG

Really digging that handguard.  

Budget builds can be kind of fun sometimes.



BTW your groups are only as good as your ammo and the nut behind the gun.  So if you're using 3-5MOA ammo then that's your baseline before you do your part.  Just something to keep in mind when you go to shoot for groups and not to get too discouraged if you don't quite get what you're expecting.

+1 on the Handguard

K1rodeoboater, thanks! This is mainly going to be a range gun that I'll "upgrade" as parts wear. I'm mainly concerned about the bolt and barrel when it comes to longevity. I also appreciate the comments on ammo/grouping. I'm getting a 1-4x scope sometime in the next week and I hope that will help me. This nut behind the trigger could always use some work. Strive to be better than the day before, right?

tnertb, bgreer, not bad for a $200 complete upper! Lol

I second this.  Your barrel is probably good enough to get you to 1 MOA.  The trigger might not be, and the ammo is really holding you back.

This!  I like it!

Thanks Oldgold and Kaldor! I'm leaning towards a Nikon 1.5-4.5 or 2-7 on a PEPR mount for my optic and I'll be sure to update this when I get out to the range this weekend...hopefully.